What's After the Movie
Hobart Cavanaugh
Hobart Cavanaugh was a prolific American character actor whose career spanned both the stage and the silver screen, earning him a reputation as one of Hollywood's most reliable supporting players. Born on September 22, 1886 in Virginia City, Nevada, he attended the University of California before entering vaudeville, where he teamed with fellow comic Walter Catlett. Cavanaugh transitioned to Broadway, appearing in the original 1919 musical Irene and later in the long‑running 1948 production As the Girls Go, demonstrating his versatility in both musical comedy and straight drama. He made his film debut in San Francisco Nights (1928) and quickly became a fixture in the studios, often cast as the downtrodden, henpecked, or comically nervous gentleman. Over the next two decades he accumulated more than 180 film credits, including memorable roles in I Cover the Waterfront (1933), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) as Philostrate, Captain Blood (1935), and A Letter to Three Wives (1949). His performances were characterized by precise timing, a slightly rotund demeanor, and the ability to imbue even the smallest parts with distinct personality.
By the late 1940s Cavanaugh remained a steadfast presence in Hollywood, frequently appearing in ensemble casts and lending his talent to both prestige pictures and modest B‑movies. He continued working up until his final screen appearance in Stella (1950), despite battling late‑stage stomach cancer that caused him to collapse twice on set. Cavanaugh passed away on April 26, 1950, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, after an operation. His legacy endures through the sheer volume of his work and the unmistakable small‑role charm he brought to classic American cinema.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Hobart Cavanaugh, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Hobart Cavanaugh rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Hobart Cavanaugh
Born: Virginia City, Nevada, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: September 22, 1886
Occupations: Actor, Stage actor, Film actor
Years Active: 1928-1950
Children: 1
Spouses: Florence Cavanaugh
External Links and Streaming Options
Explore more about on trusted external platforms like Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb or TMDb. Find additional details, reviews, and related content to deepen your understanding.
Movies Featuring Hobart Cavanaugh
Captain Blood
The Spider Woman Strikes Back
The Man from Down Under
Pilot #5
Up in Central Park
A Lost Lady
Whistling in Dixie
Now I’ll Tell
Faithful in My Fashion
Home Movies
The Human Comedy
Jimmy the Gent
A Modern Hero
Cinderella Jones
Mary Stevens, M.D.
The Hoodlum Saint
A Letter to Three Wives
My Girl Tisa
Guest in the House
The Remarkable Andrew
Goodbye Again
Horror Island
You Can’t Fool Your Wife
Gildersleeve on Broadway
San Diego I Love You
Moulin Rouge
Hi, Nellie!
Sweet Rosie O’Grady
Wonder Bar
I Cover the Waterfront
Havana Widows
State Fair
I Am a Thief
Bureau of Missing Persons
Reaching for the Sun
Dark Hazard
Housewife
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Kansan
Roughly Speaking
Stella
No Marriage Ties
Thieves Fall Out
A Dream Comes True
The Wall Street Mystery
Sing Me a Love Song
See Your Doctor
The Key
How to Sub-Let
Jackass Mail
Madame du Barry
I Wanted Wings
Too Much Harmony
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Four Wives
A Child Is Born
What a Woman
Hired Wife
Kansas City Princess
Fashions of 1934
From Headquarters
A Very Honorable Guy
Private Detective 62
Mandalay
Don’t Bet on Blondes
Shooting High
Don Juan Quilligan
Cain and Mabel
My Favorite Spy
The St. Louis Kid
Santa Fe Trail
Colleen
The Lady Consents
Black Angel
Three Smart Girls
The Golden Arrow
Naughty But Nice
Tell No Tales
Her Cardboard Lover
Zenobia
Stage Struck
Merry Wives of Reno
I’ve Got Your Number
Kismet
Wife vs. Secretary
Easy to Love
A Tragedy at Midnight
Picture Snatcher
Night and Day
Lady in a Jam
Two Against the World
The Adventures of Jane Arden
Cowboy from Brooklyn
We’re in the Money
Rose of Washington Square
Never Say Die
My Woman
The Great O’Malley
Wings in the Dark
Bordertown
Dangerous Blondes
I Stole a Million
Idiot’s Delight
The Ghost Comes Home
I Sell Anything
Driftwood
The Magnificent Dope
While the Patient Slept
Here Comes Carter
I Live for Love
The Mayor of Hell
The Inside Story
Broadway Gondolier
A Scream in the Dark
An Angel from Texas
Stand by for Action
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Hobart Cavanaugh, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1946
The Spider Woman Strikes Back
Bill Stapleton
Faithful in My Fashion
Mr. Wilson
Cinderella Jones
George
The Hoodlum Saint
Antique Clock Dealer (uncredited)
Black Angel
Jake
Night and Day
Man in Hospital Hall (uncredited)
1943
The Man from Down Under
Boots
Pilot #5
Boat Owner
The Human Comedy
Drunk at Bar (uncredited)
Gildersleeve on Broadway
Homer
Sweet Rosie O’Grady
Clark
The Kansan
Josh Hudkins
What a Woman
Mailman (uncredited)
Dangerous Blondes
Pop
A Scream in the Dark
Leo Stark
1942
Whistling in Dixie
Mr. Panky
The Remarkable Andrew
Teller / Witness
Jackass Mail
Gospel Jones
My Favorite Spy
Jules
Her Cardboard Lover
Arresting Plainclothesman (uncredited)
A Tragedy at Midnight
Charles Miller
Lady in a Jam
Reporter (uncredited)
The Magnificent Dope
Albert Gowdy
Stand by for Action
Carpenter's Mate 'Chips'
1941
Horror Island
Professor Jasper Quinley
Reaching for the Sun
Front Office Man
Thieves Fall Out
David Tipton
I Wanted Wings
Mickey
1940
Home Movies
Party Guest Wearing Bowtie (uncredited)
You Can’t Fool Your Wife
Potts
Hired Wife
William
Shooting High
Clem Perkle
Santa Fe Trail
Barber Doyle
The Ghost Comes Home
Ambrose Bundy
An Angel from Texas
Mr. Robelink
1939
See Your Doctor
Brother-in-Law
How to Sub-Let
Mr. Mustavas
Four Wives
Mr. Jenkins (uncredited)
A Child Is Born
Mr. Herbert West
Naughty But Nice
Clark's Piano Tuner (uncredited)
Tell No Tales
Charlie Daggett
Zenobia
Mr. Dover
The Adventures of Jane Arden
"Killer"
Rose of Washington Square
Whitey Boone
Never Say Die
Druggist
I Stole a Million
Jenkins's Assistant
Idiot’s Delight
Frueheim
1936
Sing Me a Love Song
Mr. Barton (uncredited)
Cain and Mabel
Milo
Colleen
Noggin
The Lady Consents
Mr. Yardley
Three Smart Girls
Wilbur Lamb
The Golden Arrow
DeWolfe
Stage Struck
Wayne
Wife vs. Secretary
Joe Farnsworth
Two Against the World
Tippy Mantus
Here Comes Carter
Mel Winter
1935
Captain Blood
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Philostrate
A Dream Comes True
Himself (uncredited)
Don’t Bet on Blondes
Philbert O. Slemp
We’re in the Money
Max
Wings in the Dark
Mac
Bordertown
Harry
While the Patient Slept
Eustace Federie
I Live for Love
Townsend
Broadway Gondolier
Music Critic Gilmore
1934
A Lost Lady
Robert
Now I’ll Tell
Freddie Stanton
Jimmy the Gent
Fake Worthingham
A Modern Hero
Henry Mueller
Moulin Rouge
Drunk
Hi, Nellie!
Fullerton
Wonder Bar
Drunk (uncredited)
I Am a Thief
Daudet
Dark Hazard
George Mayhew
Housewife
George Wilson
The Key
Homer, Tennant's Aide
Madame du Barry
Professor de la Vauguyon
Kansas City Princess
Alderman Sam Warren
Fashions of 1934
Inventor on Ship (uncredited)
A Very Honorable Guy
Benny
Mandalay
Purser (uncredited)
The St. Louis Kid
Richardson
Merry Wives of Reno
Derwent
I’ve Got Your Number
Happy Dooley
Easy to Love
Hotel desk clerk
I Sell Anything
Stooge
1933
Mary Stevens, M.D.
Alf Simmons
Goodbye Again
Mr. Clayton
I Cover the Waterfront
One Punch McCoy
Havana Widows
Mr. Otis, Invincible Insurance
State Fair
Professor Fred Coin (Uncredited)
Bureau of Missing Persons
Mr. Harris (uncredited)
No Marriage Ties
Smith
Too Much Harmony
Piano Tuner
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Peanuts Dinwiddie
From Headquarters
Muggs Manton
Private Detective 62
Harcourt S. Burns
Picture Snatcher
James Peters - Drunken Reporter (uncredited)
My Woman
Mr. Miller
The Mayor of Hell
Mr. Gorman
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.