Edward DeKalb Acuff (June 3, 1903 – December 17, 1956) was an American stage and film actor. He frequently was cast as a droll comic relief, in the support of the star. His best-known recurring role is that of Mr. Beasley, the postman, in the Blondie movie series that starred Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake.[1]
Eddie Acuff | |
|---|---|
_2.jpg) Acuff in What Price Vengeance (1937) | |
| Born | Edward DeKalb Acuff June 3, 1903 Caruthersville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | December 17, 1956 (aged 53) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1932–1952 |
Early years
editAcuff was born in Caruthersville, Missouri.[2] He was the son of DeKalb Acuff (1880-1916)[3] and his wife Grace (later known as Mrs. H. N. Arnold),.[4]
Career
editBefore beginning his Hollywood film career in 1934, Acuff performed in Broadway theatre in the early-1930s. His Broadway credits include Jayhawker (1934), Yellow Jack (1934), John Brown (1934), Growing Pains (1933), Heat Lightning (1933), and The Dark Hours (1932).[5]
In 1935, Warner Bros. signed Acuff to a long-term contract and scheduled him to debut on film in Anchors Aweigh.[6] He had a recurring role as the postman in the Blondie film series.[7] Acuff was seen in three film serials — as Curly in Jungle Girl, as Red Kelly in Daredevils of the West, and as Spud Warner in Chick Carter Detective.[8]
Death
editOn December 17, 1956, Acuff died of a heart attack[2] in Hollywood, California. He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.[9]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Here Comes the Navy | Marine Orderly | Uncredited |
| 1935 | Mr. Widget | Short Film; uncredited | |
| Shipmates Forever | Lincoln 'Cowboy' | ||
| I Found Stella Parish | Dimmie | ||
| Miss Pacific Fleet | Clarence 'Dutch' | ||
| 1936 | The Petrified Forest | Lineman | |
| The Walking Dead | Betcha | ||
| Boulder Dam | Ed Harper | ||
| Colleen | Uncredited | ||
| The Law in Her Hands | Eddie O'Malley | ||
| The Golden Arrow | Davis | ||
| Crash Donovan | Alabam | ||
| Jailbreak | Sig Patton | ||
| The Case of the Velvet Claws | Spudsy Drake | ||
| Yellowstone | Desk Clerk | Uncredited | |
| Laughing at Trouble | Jamie Bradford | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
| Let's Make a Million | Uncredited | ||
| 1937 | Guns of the Pecos | Ranger Jeff Carter | |
| Black Legion | Metcalf | ||
| The Outer Gate | Todd Shannon | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
| The Go Getter | Bob Blair | ||
| What Price Vengeance | Tex McGirk | ||
| The Singing Marine | Sam | ||
| They Won't Forget | Drugstore Clerk | ||
| Talent Scout | Musselman - Writer | Uncredited | |
| Back in Circulation | Murphy | ||
| Love Is on the Air | 'Dunk' Glover | ||
| Missing Witnesses | Detective Pete | Uncredited | |
| She Loved a Fireman | Skillet Michaels | ||
| Hollywood Hotel | Cameraman | ||
| 1938 | The Invisible Menace | Corporal Sanger | |
| Law of the Underworld | Bill | ||
| Gangs of New York | Motorist | Uncredited | |
| Ladies in Distress | Horace - First Thug | ||
| Young Fugitives | Loafer | Uncredited | |
| The Chaser | Photographer | Uncredited | |
| Smashing the Rackets | Joe - Hoodlum | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
| Four Daughters | Sam | ||
| Youth Takes a Fling | Bum | ||
| King of Alcatraz | Steward | Uncredited | |
| How to Watch Football | Yelling Fan Next to Benchley | Short Film; uncredited | |
| Rhythm of the Saddle | Dixie Erwin | ||
| The Cowboy and the Lady | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| His Exciting Night | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| Next Time I Marry | Gas Station Attendant | Uncredited | |
| Road Demon | Smitty | Uncredited | |
| Ride a Crooked Mile | Airplane Pilot | Uncredited | |
| 1939 | Fighting Thoroughbreds | Uncredited | |
| The Phantom Creeps | Mac - AMI Agent | ||
| The Mysterious Miss X | Pete - Policeman | ||
| Ambush | Bus Conductor | Uncredited | |
| Wings of the Navy | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| Persons in Hiding | Collins | Uncredited | |
| High Peril | Short Film | ||
| Society Smugglers | Radio Technician | ||
| Blondie Meets the Boss | Pots and Pans Peddler | Uncredited | |
| Rough Riders' Round-up | Tommy Ward | ||
| Winner Take All | Second | Uncredited | |
| Blind Alley | State Trooper Stopping Fred | Uncredited | |
| Help Wanted | Workman | Short Film; uncredited | |
| The Cowboy Quarterback | Airplane Pilot | ||
| Miracles for Sale | Second Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
| When Tomorrow Comes | Second Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| Flight at Midnight | Stubby - Passenger Plane Pilot | Uncredited | |
| Two Bright Boys | Washburn | ||
| Espionage Agent | Uncredited | ||
| Hero for a Day | Eddie Gibbons | Uncredited | |
| On Dress Parade | Fort Lewis Sergeant | Uncredited | |
| The Roaring Twenties | Cabbie | Uncredited | |
| Too Busy to Work | Stage Manager | ||
| Meet Dr. Christian | Benson | ||
| Days of Jesse James | Train Conductor | Uncredited | |
| Lawyer Woman | |||
| Backfire | |||
| 1940 | Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love! | Motorcycle Cop | Uncredited |
| Cafe Hostess | Scotty | ||
| Honeymoon Deferred | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
| Castle on the Hudson | Bill | Uncredited | |
| Charlie Chan in Panama | Sailor | Uncredited | |
| Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me | Counter Man | Uncredited | |
| It's a Date | Ship's Steward | Uncredited | |
| Star Dust | Mike, Dallas Stagehand | Uncredited | |
| Shooting High | Andy Carson | ||
| Enemy Agent | Federal Agent Posing as Drunk | Uncredited | |
| Buck Benny Rides Again | Truck Driver | Uncredited | |
| Flight Angels | Mechanic with Apple | Uncredited | |
| Sailor's Lady | Guide | ||
| Manhattan Heartbeat | First Mechanic | Uncredited | |
| Girls of the Road | Bartley - Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| They Drive by Night | Driver in Café | Uncredited | |
| The Boys from Syracuse | Taxi Cab Driver | ||
| The Secret Seven | Driver | Uncredited | |
| Money and the Woman | Mr. Jones | Uncredited | |
| Flowing Gold | Shorty Smith | Uncredited | |
| Dr. Kildare Goes Home | Clifford Genet - Orderly | Uncredited | |
| Spring Parade | Earl | Uncredited | |
| So You Won't Talk | Lounger | Uncredited | |
| The Villain Still Pursued Her | Joe | Uncredited | |
| Slightly Tempted | Hartman - Policeman | Uncredited | |
| One Night in the Tropics | First S.S. Atlantica Steward | Uncredited | |
| Gallant Sons | Taxi Driver | Scenes deleted | |
| The Bank Dick | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| Dr. Kildare's Crisis | Clifford Genet - Window Cleaner | Uncredited | |
| The Border Legion | Ticket Agent | Uncredited | |
| Texas Rangers Ride Again | Bud - Ranger Stenographer | Uncredited | |
| The Green Hornet Strikes Again! | Lowery - a Reporter | ||
| 1941 | Robin Hood of the Pecos | Sam Starr | |
| Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga | Steward | ||
| High Sierra | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| Arkansas Judge | Townsman | Uncredited | |
| Back Street | Andy | Uncredited | |
| Ride, Kelly, Ride | Roy Wall | Uncredited | |
| Blondie Goes Latin | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
| The Great Train Robbery | Telegrapher | Uncredited | |
| Here Comes Happiness | Bill | ||
| Dutiful But Dumb | Headquarters Guard - Right of Door | Short film; uncredited | |
| Mr. District Attorney | Cabbie | Uncredited | |
| Model Wife | Undetermined Role | Uncredited | |
| The Wagons Roll at Night | Pickpocket Victim | Uncredited | |
| The People vs. Dr. Kildare | Clifford Genet | ||
| The Great American Broadcast | Jimmy | ||
| Broadway Limited | Engineer's Assistant | Uncredited | |
| Jungle Girl | Curly Rogers | ||
| A Very Young Lady | Sheriff Bill Stone | Uncredited | |
| Bad Men of Missouri | Peg Leg | Uncredited | |
| Rags to Riches | Ace | ||
| Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day | Clifford Genet - Orderly | Uncredited | |
| Bad Man of Deadwood | Reporter of Burns' Death | Uncredited | |
| They Died with Their Boots On | Cpl. Smith | Uncredited | |
| Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case | Hypo | ||
| Hellzapoppin' | Drafted Devil | Uncredited | |
| 1942 | Fly-by-Night | Garage Attendant | Uncredited |
| Dr. Kildare's Victory | Clifford Genet | ||
| The Lady Is Willing | Patrolman Murphy | Uncredited | |
| What's Cookin' | Doorman | Uncredited | |
| Sleepytime Gal | First Mug | Uncredited | |
| Sing Your Worries Away | Tour Map Seller | Uncredited | |
| True to the Army | Sgt. Riggs | ||
| Who Is Hope Schuyler? | Arthur Guerney | Uncredited | |
| Mississippi Gambler | Everett - Desk Clerk | ||
| Take a Letter, Darling | Man Who Picks Teeth | Uncredited | |
| In This Our Life | Worker | Uncredited | |
| She's in the Army | Pete | ||
| Private Buckaroo | Waiter Captain | Uncredited | |
| Yankee Doodle Dandy | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| The Postman Didn't Ring | Photographer | Uncredited | |
| Calling Dr. Gillespie | Clifford Genet | ||
| Timber! | Man | Uncredited | |
| Blondie for Victory | Husband Whose Wife Knits Socks | Uncredited | |
| Pardon My Sarong | Wise Guy at Gas Station | Uncredited | |
| The Old Homestead | Policeman | Uncredited | |
| Bells of Capistrano | Mug / Sign-Poster #1 | Uncredited | |
| The War Against Mrs. Hadley | Soldier in Canteen | Uncredited | |
| Girl Trouble | Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
| Youth on Parade | Cop | Uncredited | |
| Army Surgeon | Sergeant | Uncredited | |
| Fall In | Sgt. Topps | Uncredited | |
| Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant | Clifford Genet | ||
| The Traitor Within | Tommy | ||
| 1943 | Slightly Dangerous | Soda Jerk | Uncredited |
| He Hired the Boss | Driver | Uncredited | |
| Good Morning, Judge | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
| Daredevils of the West | Red Kelly | ||
| Pilot #5 | Newsreel Cameraman | Uncredited | |
| Hers to Hold | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| Headin' for God's Country | Hugo Higgins | ||
| Guadalcanal Diary | Pvt. Tex McIlvoy | Uncredited | |
| Flesh and Fantasy | Cop | Uncredited | |
| Swingtime Johnny | Worker | Uncredited | |
| Lost Angel | Policeman | Uncredited | |
| 1944 | Week-End Pass | Waikowsky | |
| Hat Check Honey | Cameraman | Uncredited | |
| Four Jills in a Jeep | Sentry | Scenes deleted | |
| It Happened Tomorrow | Jim | ||
| Hey, Rookie | Jokester | Uncredited | |
| Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble | Taxi Driver #1 | Uncredited | |
| Once Upon a Time | Shipyard Worker | Uncredited | |
| Silent Partner | Taxicab Driver | Uncredited | |
| South of Dixie | Jay Hatcher | ||
| Christmas Holiday | Steve | Uncredited | |
| Bride by Mistake | Photographer | Uncredited | |
| Wing and a Prayer | Pharmacist's Mate | Uncredited | |
| I Love a Soldier | Private | Uncredited | |
| Rainbow Island | Sailor | Uncredited | |
| In the Meantime, Darling | Milkman | Uncredited | |
| Irish Eyes Are Smiling | Harry | Uncredited | |
| Something for the Boys | Blue Army Radio Operator | Uncredited | |
| Sergeant Mike | Monohan | Uncredited | |
| Carolina Blues | Eddie | Uncredited | |
| Can't Help Singing | Cavalry Officer | Uncredited | |
| Belle of the Yukon | Miner | Uncredited | |
| 1945 | She Gets Her Man | Boze - Photographer | |
| Roughly Speaking | Billiards Player | Uncredited | |
| Her Lucky Night | Chauffeur | ||
| Leave It to Blondie | Mailman | Uncredited | |
| Without Love | Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
| The Clock | First Subway Official | Uncredited | |
| Between Two Women | Orderly | ||
| Brewster's Millions | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
| Diamond Horseshoe | Clarinet Player | Uncredited | |
| Honeymoon Ahead | Connors | ||
| Wonder Man | Pelican Club Doorman | Uncredited | |
| Flame of Barbary Coast | Fireman | Uncredited | |
| The Frozen Ghost | Reporter in Hallway | Uncredited | |
| Don Juan Quilligan | Customer at Mossrock's | Uncredited | |
| The Jungle Captive | Bill | ||
| On Stage Everybody | George | Uncredited | |
| The Hidden Eye | Whitey | ||
| Shadow of Terror | Joe Walters | ||
| Life with Blondie | Mailman | Uncredited | |
| San Antonio | Gawking Townsman | Uncredited | |
| 1946 | Meet Me on Broadway | Waiter | Uncredited |
| The Notorious Lone Wolf | Detective Jones | Uncredited | |
| The Flying Serpent | Jerry 'Jonsey' Jones | ||
| Cinderella Jones | Truck Driver | Uncredited | |
| Renegades | Stagecoach Driver | Uncredited | |
| Blonde Alibi | Ambulance Attendant | Uncredited | |
| Bad Bascomb | Corporal Finch | Uncredited | |
| Inside Job | Jerry | Uncredited | |
| Chick Carter, Detective | Spud Warner | ||
| Danger Woman | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| The Bamboo Blonde | M.P. Sergeant | Uncredited | |
| Three Little Girls in Blue | Josh | Uncredited | |
| Wake Up and Dream | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| Gallant Bess | Chief Petty Officer | Uncredited | |
| Heldorado | Carnival Shooting Gallery Attendant | ||
| Lady in the Lake | Ed - Coroner | Uncredited | |
| 1947 | Blondie's Big Moment | Mailman | Uncredited |
| The Sea of Grass | Cattleman | Uncredited | |
| Suddenly, It's Spring | Man Retrieving Pajamas | Uncredited | |
| Buck Privates Come Home | Soldier | Uncredited | |
| Blondie's Holiday | Postman | ||
| Bells of San Angelo | Bus Driver | ||
| Swing the Western Way | Mr. Spraggs | ||
| Wyoming | Nester | Uncredited | |
| The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Wells Fargo Cowboy | Uncredited | |
| Down to Earth | Stage Hand | Uncredited | |
| Exposed | Policeman at Bentry Mansion Door | Uncredited | |
| Black Gold | Colonel Caldwell's Ranch Foreman | Uncredited | |
| Blondie in the Dough | Postman | ||
| The Fabulous Texan | Telegrapher | Uncredited | |
| Roses Are Red | Reporter | Uncredited | |
| Bandits of Dark Canyon | Stage Passenger Faraday | ||
| Blondie's Anniversary | Mailman | Uncredited | |
| 1948 | Slippy McGee | Charlie | |
| G-Men Never Forget | 'Fiddler' - Used Car Salesman | ||
| Black Bart | Elkins | Uncredited | |
| Song of Idaho | Hash Brown | ||
| Blondie's Reward | Mr. Johnson | ||
| The Timber Trail | Telegraph Operator | ||
| Coroner Creek | Bit | Uncredited | |
| Northwest Stampede | Hamburger Vendor | Uncredited | |
| The Return of October | Stable Boy | Uncredited | |
| Leather Gloves | Duke | ||
| Bungalow 13 | José Fernando | ||
| Smoky Mountain Melody | Jenkins | ||
| Blondie's Secret | Mr. Beasley | ||
| 1949 | Blondie's Big Deal | Mr. Beasley | |
| Home in San Antone | Postman | Uncredited | |
| Johnny Allegro | Sam | Uncredited | |
| Miss Grant Takes Richmond | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
| 1950 | The Milkman | Herman Schultz | Uncredited |
| 1951 | Painting the Clouds with Sunshine | Golden Egg Doorman | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Stop, You're Killing Me | Cab Driver | Uncredited; final role |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | The Lone Ranger | Sheriff | Episode: "Sheep Thieves" |
References
edit- ^ "Day's Best Hollywood Story". Toledo Blade. January 12, 1948. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Mayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. p. 26. ISBN 9780786477623. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Obituary: DeKalb Acuff, The Pemiscot Argus, Caruthersville, MO., p. 6, 24 Feb. 1916
- ^ "Eddie Acuff in picture Sun.-Mon". Caruthersville Journal. Missouri, Caruthersville. July 1, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eddie Acuff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Percy, Eileen (June 4, 1935). "Warners Sign Stage Comic". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 8. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eddie Acuff Returns As Postman in 'Blondie' Series". The Owensboro Messenger. Kentucky, Owensboro. August 22, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cline, William C. (1997). In the Nick of Time: Motion Picture Sound Serials. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786404711. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Resting Places: The Burial Places of 14,000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eddie Acuff.
- Eddie Acuff at the Internet Broadway Database
- Eddie Acuff at IMDb
- Eddie Acuff at AllMovie
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