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Walter Catlett
Walter Catlett was an American actor and comedian renowned for his portrayals of excitable, meddlesome blowhards on stage and screen. Born Walter Leland Catlett on 1889‑02‑04 in San Francisco, California, he entered vaudeville in his teens, teaming with Hobart Cavanaugh and even dabbling in opera before turning to Broadway. His first stage appearance came in 1906 and he soon joined the Ziegler Follies of 1917, followed by seminal roles in the original productions of Sally (1920) and the Gershwin hit Lady, Be Good (1924), where he introduced the classic “Oh, Lady Be Good!”. After a brief stint in silent cinema, he returned to the screen with the advent of sound in 1929, where his rapid-fire delivery and flamboyant physicality flourished in dozens of two‑reel comedies, often paired with Eugene Pallette for RKO. In the 1930s and 1940s Catlett became a familiar supporting face in Hollywood classics, delivering memorable turns as the irascible theatre manager in Yankee Doodle Dandy, the befuddled constable in Howard Hawks’s Bringing Up Baby, and the drunken poet Morrow in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. He is also credited as the un‑credited voice of Honest John in Disney’s Pinocchio (1940). His career spanned over five decades, concluding with appearances in Friendly Persuasion and Beau James before his death from a stroke on 1960‑11‑14 in Woodland Hills, California. For his lasting impact on motion pictures, a star was placed for him on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 1960‑02‑08.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Walter Catlett, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Walter Catlett rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Walter Leland Catlett
Born: San Francisco, California, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: February 4, 1889
Occupations: Actor, Comedian
Years Active: 1906-1957
Children: 1
Spouses: Zanetta Watrous, Ruth Verney, Kathlene Winifred Martyn
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Walter Catlett
The Front Page
Pinocchio
Bringing Up Baby
A Tale of Two Cities
Spring Parade
I’ll Be Yours
Are You With It?
Look for the Silver Lining
Arizona to Broadway
Maker of Men
The Boy with Green Hair
Between Us Girls
Cock of the Air
Horror Island
Here Comes the Groom
Lightning Strikes Twice
Star Spangled Rhythm
Wild Bill Hickok Rides
Million Dollar Baby
Married in Hollywood
So This Is Harris!
The Expert
Manpower
Back Street
Li’l Abner
Zaza
Love Is News
Dancing in the Dark
Sing Me a Love Song
The Captain Hates the Sea
Hit Parade of 1943
Only Yesterday
Rain
Platinum Blonde
Up in Arms
Big City Blues
Danger – Love at Work
Beau James
Friendly Persuasion
Every Day’s a Holiday
Cain and Mabel
Maisie Gets Her Man
Banjo on My Knee
My Gal Sal
The Sport Parade
Lady, Let’s Dance
Unfinished Business
The Inspector General
Davy Crockett and the River Pirates
Honeymoon for Three
Rockabye
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Heart of the Golden West
Going Places
Steel Against the Sky
It’s Tough to Be Famous
Happy Days
Wake Up and Live
Love Under Fire
Varsity Show
The Man Who Walked Alone
The Florodora Girl
Half a Sinner
Kid Nightingale
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Wild Man of Borneo
His Butler’s Sister
Okay, America!
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Walter Catlett, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1949
Look for the Silver Lining
Walter Catlett
Dancing in the Dark
Joe Brooks
The Inspector General
Colonel Castine
1942
Between Us Girls
Desk Sergeant
Star Spangled Rhythm
Walter Catlett
Wild Bill Hickok Rides
Sylvester W. Twigg
Maisie Gets Her Man
Jasper
My Gal Sal
Col. Truckee
Heart of the Golden West
Colonel Silas Popen
1941
Horror Island
Sergeant McGoon
Million Dollar Baby
Simpson
Manpower
Sidney Whipple
Unfinished Business
Billy Ross
Honeymoon for Three
Waiter
Steel Against the Sky
Rupert Sampson
The Wild Man of Borneo
'Doc' Skelby
1937
Love Is News
Eddie Johnson
Danger – Love at Work
Uncle Alan
Every Day’s a Holiday
Nifty Bailey
Wake Up and Live
Gus Avery
Love Under Fire
Tip Conway
Varsity Show
Professor Sylvester Biddle
1936
Sing Me a Love Song
Mr. Sprague (uncredited)
Cain and Mabel
Jake Sherman
Banjo on My Knee
Warfield Scott
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Morrow
1933
Arizona to Broadway
Ned Flynn
So This Is Harris!
Walter Catlett
Only Yesterday
Barnes (Uncredited)
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