Malcolm Lee Beggs: Movies & Filmography

Malcolm Lee Beggs (1907 – December 10, 1956) was an American stage, television, and film actor whose career spanned more than four decades. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Beggs began performing professionally on the stage at the remarkably young age of five, demonstrating an early aptitude for acting that would sustain him throughout his life. His initial foray into the entertainment industry came through cinema, as he appeared in two silent films: The Silent Plea in 1914 and In Bridal Attire in 1915. These early appearances marked the beginning of a long and varied career in the performing arts. In 1936, Beggs made his Broadway debut in the role of Don Abacchio in Bitter Stream. He quickly established himself as a respected stage actor, going on to appear in the original Broadway productions of several notable plays, including Devils Galore (1945), Metropole (1949), Seventh Heaven (1955), and Mr. Wonderful (1956). He also took on the role of William M. Tweed in the 1947 Broadway revival of Up in Central Park. Beyond the stage, Beggs made numerous guest appearances on television shows throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, including Captain Video and His Video Rangers, Lux Video Theatre, Hopalong Cassidy, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Kraft Theatre, Campbell Summer Soundstage, Robert Montgomery Presents, Ponds Theater, and The Elgin Hour. His film credits during this era included notable titles such as Love Island (1952), It Grows on Trees (1952), Botany Bay (1953), Houdini (1953), and Edge of Fury (1958). Tragically, on December 10, 1956, Beggs was beaten to death with whisky and beer bottles at the age of 48 or 49 in his Chicago hotel room by two young men, Robert Mitchell (also known as Melvin Manes) and Haskell Kellems. His interment was at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.