Tom Fadden(1895-1980)
- Actor
Wavy-haired, emaciated-looking Tom Fadden enjoyed a prolific screen
career as a small part supporting actor with more than a fair share of
scene-stealing moments to his credit. From the time he
began with a stock company in Omaha in 1915, he remained continuously
employed right up until his death in 1980. He was much in-demand in
vaudeville, including on the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit. He was also a
regular performer on Broadway where he made his debut in a starring role in
1924 with
'The Wonderful Visit', written by H.G. Wells.
The following year he again starred (as Alf Rylett) in 'Nocturne '.
Other notable plays he appeared in were 'Elmer Gantry' (1928), 'The
Petrified Forest' (1935) and
'Our Town' (1938).
From 1939, he was seen in numerous small roles on screen, usually as kindly 'average Joe' townsfolk, cab or truck drivers or rural types in the vein of Percy Kilbride.
Tom was particularly good at the double-take and a befuddled look,
perhaps best exemplified by his toll keeper's reaction to
Henry Travers (as the angel
Clarence) in Capra's
It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
Tom had a rare leading role as one of a trio hunting for an ancient
skull with mystical powers in the comedy adventure
Zanzibar (1940). Otherwise, there were
memorable bits as a cafe waiter in
Dark Passage (1947), his Sheriff
Murdock in the comedy
Murder, He Says (1945) and Uncle
Ira Lentz, one of the first victims of the
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).
Tom also played Eben Kent, Superman's adoptive father in the first
episode of the original
Adventures of Superman (1952)
on TV and even popped up for Disney as the uncle of the titular hero
in Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960).
Tom had recurring roles in
Cimarron City (1958)
and was perfectly cast as one of the bucolic characters of
Petticoat Junction (1963).
career as a small part supporting actor with more than a fair share of
scene-stealing moments to his credit. From the time he
began with a stock company in Omaha in 1915, he remained continuously
employed right up until his death in 1980. He was much in-demand in
vaudeville, including on the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit. He was also a
regular performer on Broadway where he made his debut in a starring role in
1924 with
'The Wonderful Visit', written by H.G. Wells.
The following year he again starred (as Alf Rylett) in 'Nocturne '.
Other notable plays he appeared in were 'Elmer Gantry' (1928), 'The
Petrified Forest' (1935) and
'Our Town' (1938).
From 1939, he was seen in numerous small roles on screen, usually as kindly 'average Joe' townsfolk, cab or truck drivers or rural types in the vein of Percy Kilbride.
Tom was particularly good at the double-take and a befuddled look,
perhaps best exemplified by his toll keeper's reaction to
Henry Travers (as the angel
Clarence) in Capra's
It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
Tom had a rare leading role as one of a trio hunting for an ancient
skull with mystical powers in the comedy adventure
Zanzibar (1940). Otherwise, there were
memorable bits as a cafe waiter in
Dark Passage (1947), his Sheriff
Murdock in the comedy
Murder, He Says (1945) and Uncle
Ira Lentz, one of the first victims of the
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).
Tom also played Eben Kent, Superman's adoptive father in the first
episode of the original
Adventures of Superman (1952)
on TV and even popped up for Disney as the uncle of the titular hero
in Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960).
Tom had recurring roles in
Cimarron City (1958)
and was perfectly cast as one of the bucolic characters of
Petticoat Junction (1963).