Russell Simpson

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell McCaskill Simpson (June 17, 1880, Danville, California – December 12, 1959, Woodland Hills, California) was an American character actor who appeared in over 500 movies. He is best known for his "grizzled old man" appearances. Gaunt, lanky, and rustic-sounding, Simpson was a familiar character actor for almost forty-five years, particularly as a member of the John Ford Stock Company. At age 18 Simpson prospected for gold in Alaska. He began taking acting classes in Seattle, Washington. In 1910 he married Gertrude Alter from New York City. By 1909, he had gone into the theatre. He appeared in at least two plays on Broadway between 1909 and 1912, and made his motion picture debut in Cecil B. DeMille's 1914 original film version of The Virginian in a bit part. By 1923, when the film was remade, Simpson had progressed to playing the lead villain. Throughout his career, Simpson worked for 12 years in road shows, stock companies, and on Broadway. He didn't usually perform lead roles, but he did star in many movies throughout the silent movie era. He performed a lead role as the grandfather in Out of the Dust (1920). Simpson is best known for his work in the films of John Ford and, in particular, for his portrayal of Pa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940). His final film was The Horse Soldiers, his tenth film for Ford. Simpson worked up to 1959, the year of his death. He was the president of the Overseas Phonograph Accessories Corporation.

Filmography

Shubel Morgan
Clem Hall
Ezra Tilden
Richards
Lord Abercrombie McTavish
Adam Perkins
Walt Hardison
Fred - Outrider in Prologue
Overland Bradley
Jonathan Kenyon
Orestes Krebs
Pop de Longpre
Old Man with Pipe (uncredited)
Professor (uncredited)
Judge (uncredited)
Judge R.W. Williams
Grandpa Smith
Adam Parker
Brother Griffith - Elder (uncredited)
Scroggs
Grandfather Nichols
Capt. Lightfoot
Jacob Tutwiler
Bish Plivens
Angus McSween
Sheriff Jim Wyatt
Hugh Garth
Squire Amasa Bartlett
Abner Prewett
Capt. Fergus MacLennan
Matthew Turnbull
Thomas Hall
Hank Armstrong
Dan McGill
Henry Goodbody
Pa Nathan Brown
Joshua Barker
Uncle Cal
Lincoln's Employer
Matt Keeler
Chief of Police
Marshal Len Baker
Mr. Wilkens
Maynard Cole
The Banker
The Colonel - Drill Instructor (uncredited)
Caleb Deming
Captain Scudder
The Eagle's Lieutenant / Coach Driver (uncredited)
Woolridge (uncredited)
Kenneth Allen (uncredited)
2nd Captain (uncredited)
Wade Clayton
Dave MacMillan
Winchester Thompson
Harvey Taylor - First Ex-Soldier
Andrew Jackson
Old Man in Wagon Train
Jeff Parkington
Old Silas Bagley
Luke Barlow
Mayor Potter
Jess Meekins
Mr. Bronson
U.S. Army Major
Sheriff Big Bill Tanner
Editor Pickett
Elijah Walker
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
Paul Logan
Marshal Joseph Slyde
J.K. Trimble
Marty McCord
The Sheriff
Hank Blatchford
(uncredited)
Stubbins
Colonel Parker
'Brick' Willock
Bartender (as old Timer)
Abner Huggins
Big Sam Dabney
Flapjack
Big Jack Skinner
Deputy 'Pop' Jackson
Grandpa Crumb
'Red' Kelly
Mathew Hodgkins
Mr. Thornycroft
'Black' Pawl
Sheep Man
Jim O'Connell
Notary (1825)
Silas Martin
Colonel John Aldridge
'Dad' Knowland
Frontiersman
Farmer MacKenzie
Village Marshal (Uncredited)
Bill Apperson
Singapore Joe
Sally's Grandfather
Eben Holt
Caleb Gare
Frenchy McGuire
Bascomb Rogers
Emigrant (uncredited)
Sheriff Evans
Martin Chandler
Simeon Krillet
Jake
Farmer (uncredited)
Gunner Bill
James Lawton
Pappy Tolliver
Dead Child's Father
Uncle Zeke Sawyer
The Minister (uncredited)
Angus Garth