Image of Irving Bacon

Irving Bacon

A minor character actor who appeared in literally hundreds of films, actor Irving Bacon could always be counted on for expressing bug-eyed bewilderment or cautious frustration in small-town settings with his revolving door of friendly, servile parts - mailmen, milkmen, clerks, chauffeurs, cabbies, bartenders, soda jerks, carnival operators, handymen and docs. Born September 6, 1893 in the heart of the Midwest (St. Joseph, Missouri), he was the son of Millar and Myrtle (Vane) Bacon. Irving first found work in silent comedy shorts at Keystone Studios usually playing older than he was and, for a time, was a utility player for Mack Sennett in such slapstick as A Favorite Fool (1915). His director brother also began using him in his own silent funnies starting with Good Morning, Nurse (1925), which was written by Frank Capra, Hurry, Doctor! (1925) and Wide Open Faces (1926). Irving made an easy adjustment when sound entered the pictures and after appearing in the Karl Dane / George K. Arthur one- and two-reelers such as Knights Before Christmas (1930), began to show up in feature-length films. He played higher-ups on occasion, such as the Secretary of the Navy in Million Dollar Legs (1932), police inspector in House of Mystery (1934), mayor in Room for One More (1952), and judge in Ambush at Cimarron Pass (1958), but those were exceptions to the rule. Blending in with the town crowd was what Irving was accustomed to and, over the years, he would be glimpsed in some of Hollywood's most beloved classics such as Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), San Francisco (1936), You Can't Take It with You (1938) and A Star Is Born (1954). Trivia nuts will fondly recall his beleaguered postman in the Blondie (1938) film series that ran over a decade. Irving could also be spotted on popular '50s and '60s TV programs such as the westerns Laramie (1959) and Wagon Train (1957), and "comedies December Bride (1954) and The Real McCoys (1957). He can still be seen in a couple of old codger roles on I Love Lucy (1951). One was as a marriage license proprietor and the other as Vivian Vance's doting dad from Albuquerque, to whom she paid a visit on her way to Hollywood with the Ricardos. Irving died on February 5, 1965, having clocked in over 400 features.


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Born:
Sep 6, 1893 In Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
319
First Appeared:
In the movie Remember When? 1925-04-14
Latest Project:
Movie James Stewart: A Wonderful Life 1988-11-22
Known For
Poster of Footlight Serenade
Poster of Hopalong Cassidy Returns
Poster of The Mind Reader
Poster of High Hats and Low Brows
Filmography
Movie James Stewart: A Wonderful Life Self (archive footage) 1988-11-22
Series Riverboat Zack Mannion 1959-09-13
Movie Ambush at Cimarron Pass Judge Stanfield 1958-03-01
Movie Fort Massacre Charlie 1958-05-14
Series Leave It to Beaver Postal Clerk 1957-10-04
Movie Hidden Guns Doc Carter 1956-01-30
Movie Dakota Incident Tully Morgan 1956-07-23
Movie Run for Cover Scotty 1955-04-29
Movie At Gunpoint Al Ferguson 1955-12-25
Movie The Glenn Miller Story Mr. Miller 1954-01-04
Series December Bride Unknown 1954-10-04
Movie Duffy of San Quentin Doc Sorin 1954-03-16
Movie Black Horse Canyon Doc Spain 1954-06-01
Movie A Star Is Born Graves 1954-10-01
Movie Kansas Pacific Casey 1953-02-22
Movie Fort Ti Sgt. Monday Wash 1953-04-30
Series General Electric Theater Unknown 1953-02-01
Movie Sweethearts on Parade Sheriff Doolittle 1953-07-15
Movie Devil's Canyon Prison Guard 1953-08-13
Movie Room for One More Mayor Michael J. Kane 1952-01-10
Movie Rose of Cimarron Sheriff 1952-01-28
Movie O. Henry's Full House Ebenezer Dorset (segment "The Ransom of Red Chief") (uncredited) 1952-08-07
Movie Cause for Alarm! Mr. Carston, Postman 1951-03-30
Series The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok Unknown 1951-04-15
Series I Love Lucy Unknown 1951-10-15
Movie Here Comes the Groom Baines 1951-09-20
Movie Desert of Lost Men Sheriff Skeeter Davis 1951-11-19
Movie The Happy Years Mr. Conover 1950-07-07
Movie Riding High Hamburger Man 1950-04-12
Movie Never a Dull Moment Tunk Johnson (uncredited) 1950-08-19
Movie Mr. Music Benson - Jewelry Clerk (uncredited) 1950-12-08
Movie Emergency Wedding Filbert - Mechanic 1950-11-15
Movie Katie Did It Train Conductor 1950-11-26
Movie El Paso Stage Passenger (uncredited) 1949-03-22
Movie The Big Cat Matt Cooper the Mailman 1949-04-01
Movie Dynamite Jake 1949-01-18
Movie Manhandled Sgt. Fayle 1949-07-21
Movie The Green Promise Julius Larkin 1949-03-22
Movie John Loves Mary George Beachwood 1949-02-04
Movie Down Memory Lane (archive footage) 1949-08-01
Movie Sons of New Mexico Chris Dobbs 1949-12-20
Movie Dear Wife Mike Man 1949-11-15
Movie The House Across the Street Jury Foreman (uncredited) 1949-09-10
Movie It's a Great Feeling RR Information Clerk 1949-08-01
Movie State of the Union Buck Swenson 1948-04-30
Movie Adventures in Silverado Jake Willis 1948-03-25
Movie California's Golden Beginning 1948-01-01
Movie Good Sam Tramp 1948-09-01
Movie Albuquerque Dave Walton 1948-02-20
Movie Moonrise Judd Jenkins 1948-10-01
Movie Whispering Smith 1948-12-09
Movie Words and Music Hollywood Realtor (uncredited) 1948-12-31
Movie Family Honeymoon Mr. Webb 1948-12-06
Movie My Brother Talks to Horses Mr. Piper 1947-02-04
Movie Dear Ruth Delivery Man 1947-06-10
Movie Saddle Pals Thaddeus Bellweather 1947-06-05
Movie The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer Melvin 1947-09-01
Movie Monsieur Verdoux Pierre Couvais 1947-09-26
Movie Night Train to Memphis Rainbow 1946-07-12
Movie One Way to Love Train Conductor 1946-01-08
Movie Wake Up and Dream Toll Gate Attendant 1946-12-02
Movie Patrick the Great Mr. Merney 1945-05-04
Movie Roughly Speaking Customer in Music Shop (unconfirmed) 1945-01-31
Movie Out of This World Irving Krunk 1945-07-13
Movie Under Western Skies Sheriff James Whitcolm Wyatt 1945-01-19
Movie Star in the Night Mr. Dilson (uncredited) 1945-10-13
Movie Hitchhike to Happiness Dennis Colby 1945-07-16
Movie Week-End at the Waldorf Sam Skelly 1945-10-04
Movie Spellbound Railway Gateman (uncredited) 1945-11-08
Movie Guest Wife Nosey Stationmaster 1945-07-27
Movie Knickerbocker Holiday Peter Van Stoon 1944-03-17
Movie Week-End Pass Sheriff Todd 1944-02-14
Movie Chip Off the Old Block Prof. Frost 1944-02-01
Movie Since You Went Away Bartender at Cocktail Lounge (uncredited) 1944-06-30
Movie Her Primitive Man Track Man 1944-05-29
Movie The Story of Dr. Wassell Missionary (uncredited) 1944-07-04
Movie The Thin Man Goes Home Tom 1944-12-24
Movie Can't Help Singing Bath House Barber (uncredited) 1944-12-25
Movie Casanova Brown Hotel Manager 1944-08-23
Movie The Desperadoes Dan Walters - Bartender 1943-05-25
Movie It's a Great Life Mailman 1943-05-27
Movie King of the Cowboys Deputy Cluckas 1943-04-09
Movie Two Weeks to Live Omar Tennyson Gimpel 1943-02-26
Movie Mister Big Jimmy, Malt Shop Proprietor 1943-05-28
Movie Dixie Dugan Mr. Kelly 1943-03-12
Movie A Stranger in Town Orin Todds 1943-04-01
Movie Footlight Glamour Mr. Crumb 1943-09-30
Movie A Guy Named Joe Cpl. Henderson (uncredited) 1943-12-24
Movie Action in the North Atlantic Bartender (uncredited) 1943-06-12
Movie Top Man School Principal 1943-09-17
Movie In Old Oklahoma Ben 1943-12-06
Movie Johnny Come Lately Chief of Police 1943-09-03
Movie Hers to Hold Dr. Bacon 1943-07-16
Movie The Great Man's Lady Parson 1942-04-15
Movie The Bashful Bachelor Sheriff / Fire Chief 1942-03-19
Movie Freckles Comes Home Constable Caleb Weaver 1942-01-02
Movie Thru Different Eyes Stu Johnson 1942-06-19
Movie Star Spangled Rhythm New England Farmer (uncredited) 1942-03-05
Movie The Spoilers Hotel Manager (uncredited) 1942-06-11
Movie Between Us Girls Soda Jerk 1942-09-04
Movie Lady in a Jam Motel Proprietor 1942-06-19
Movie Pardon My Sarong Gas Station Proprietor (uncredited) 1942-08-07
Movie Get Hep to Love Mr. Hardwicke 1942-10-02
Movie Footlight Serenade Stagehand 1942-08-01
Movie Holiday Inn Gus 1942-07-10
Movie A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob Mr. Albert Merney 1941-03-14
Movie The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance Projectionist 1941-03-06
Movie Meet John Doe Beany 1941-03-14
Movie Ride on Vaquero Jailer Smoky 1941-04-18
Movie Blondie Goes Latin Mailman (uncredited) 1941-02-27
Movie Tobacco Road Bank Teller 1941-02-20
Movie Four Mothers Cigar Store Proprietor (uncredited) 1941-01-04
Movie Caught in the Draft Cogswell 1941-07-04
Movie Back Street Ticket seller 1941-02-07
Movie Western Union Barber 1941-02-21
Movie The Wild Man of Borneo Carriage Driver 1941-01-24
Movie Henry Aldrich for President Mr. McCloskey 1941-10-17
Movie They Died with Their Boots On Uniform Salesman (uncredited) 1941-11-20
Movie Remember the Day Cecil 1941-12-25
Movie Accent on Love Smedley 1941-07-11
Movie Never Give a Sucker an Even Break The Soda Jerk 1941-10-10
Movie Moon Over Her Shoulder Conrad - Taxi Driver 1941-10-23
Movie Great Guns Postman 1941-10-10
Movie Blondie in Society Mailman 1941-07-17
Movie Our Wife Doorman (uncredited) 1941-08-20
Movie It Started with Eve Raven 1941-09-26
Movie The Grapes of Wrath Driver 1940-03-15
Movie Star Dust Hotel Desk Clerk 1940-04-06
Movie You Can't Fool Your Wife Lippincott 1940-05-21
Movie Blondie on a Budget Mailman 1940-02-29
Movie The Doctor Takes a Wife Sam Appleby 1940-04-25
Movie The Man Who Wouldn't Talk Paul Gillis 1940-01-11
Movie Lillian Russell Soldier 1940-05-24
Movie Brother Rat and a Baby Hospital Official 1940-01-13
Movie His Girl Friday Gus (uncredited) 1940-01-18
Movie Broadway Melody of 1940 Orange Stand Counterman (uncredited) 1940-02-09
Movie Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet Becker 1940-02-23
Movie Edison, the Man Sheriff 1940-05-10
Movie Dreaming Out Loud Wes Stillman 1940-09-30
Movie She Couldn't Say No Abner 1940-12-07
Movie Michael Shayne: Private Detective Fisherman 1940-12-19
Movie Love, Honor and Oh-Baby! Cabbie 1940-06-07
Movie The Howards of Virginia Tom Norton 1940-09-19
Movie Blondie Plays Cupid Mailman 1940-10-31
Movie Young People Otis 1940-08-30
Movie Sailor's Lady Storekeeper 1940-07-05
Movie Manhattan Heartbeat Sweeney 1940-07-11
Movie Gold Rush Maisie Harry Gilpin 1940-07-26
Movie The Return of Frank James Bystander 1940-08-10
Movie The Oklahoma Kid Hotel Clerk 1939-03-11
Movie The Spirit of Culver Hotel Desk Clerk in Culver 1939-03-10
Movie The Gracie Allen Murder Case Hotel Clerk 1939-06-02
Movie Torchy Runs for Mayor Hubert Ward 1939-05-13
Movie Blondie Meets the Boss 1st Mailman (uncredited) 1939-03-08
Movie Lucky Night Conductor 1939-05-05
Movie Big Town Czar Real Estate Man 1939-05-03
Movie The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt Patrol Sergeant at Italian Restaurant (uncredited) 1939-01-27
Movie Made for Each Other Newark Radio Operator (uncredited) 1939-02-10
Movie They Made Me a Criminal Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) 1939-01-21
Movie The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Tad (uncredited) 1939-02-10
Movie You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Jailer (uncredited) 1939-02-17
Movie Nancy Drew... Reporter Tracy (uncredited) 1939-02-18
Movie Tail Spin Storekeeper (Uncredited) 1939-02-19
Movie I Stole a Million Simpson (uncredited) 1939-08-01
Movie Pack Up Your Troubles Soldier 1939-10-24
Movie At the Circus Telegraph Clerk (uncredited) 1939-10-20
Movie The Housekeeper's Daughter Woodbury 1939-10-26
Movie Too Busy to Work Gilligan 1939-11-17
Movie Second Fiddle Harvey Vaughan 1939-06-30
Movie Gone with the Wind Corporal 1939-12-15
Movie On Your Toes Second Stage Manager 1939-10-14
Movie Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence Sheriff Clem Diggers 1939-11-03
Movie Bachelor Mother Clerk at Exchange Window (uncredited) 1939-06-30
Movie Hollywood Cavalcade Clerk 1939-10-13
Movie Blondie Takes a Vacation Mailman 1939-07-20
Movie News Is Made at Night Mike, Fingerprint Man 1939-07-20
Movie Rio 'Mushy' 1939-09-29
Movie Indianapolis Speedway Fred Haskill 1939-08-05
Movie Kentucky Moonshine Palace Hotel Clerk 1938-05-20
Movie Tropic Holiday Sol Grunnion (uncredited) 1938-06-29
Movie The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Foreman of Jury 1938-07-20
Movie Mr. Moto's Gamble Sheriff Tuttle 1938-04-07
Movie Midnight Intruder Evans 1938-02-06
Movie Professor Beware Painter 1938-07-29
Movie The Big Broadcast of 1938 Prisoner Playing Harmonica (uncredited) 1938-02-11
Movie The First Hundred Years Wilkins 1938-03-12
Movie Tip-Off Girls Sam 1938-04-01
Movie There Goes My Heart Mr. Dobbs 1938-10-14
Movie Hard to Get Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) 1938-11-05
Movie Give Me a Sailor The Druggist (uncredited) 1938-08-19
Movie The Cowboy and the Lady Chester - Smith's Secretary (uncredited) 1938-11-17
Movie The Mad Miss Manton Spangler, the Process Server (uncredited) 1938-10-21
Movie Exposed Crankpool 1938-11-05
Movie The Sisters Robert Forbes 1938-10-14
Movie You Can't Take It with You Henry - the Head Waiter (uncredited) 1938-09-01
Movie Sing, You Sinners Lecturer on Seals 1938-09-02
Movie Angel's Holiday Fingerprint Expert 1937-06-07
Movie Big Business Mr. Kinney - Man with Toothache 1937-06-18
Movie They Gave Him a Gun Tall Soldier (uncredited) 1937-05-07
Movie Dangerous Number Detective 1937-01-22
Movie Marry the Girl Happy Elmer 1937-07-13
Movie Internes Can't Take Money Jeff 1937-04-16
Movie A Star Is Born Station Agent (uncredited) 1937-04-27
Movie Big City Jim Sloane 1937-09-03
Movie Big Town Girl Gas Station Attendant 1937-12-03
Movie Topper Hotel Clerk (uncredited) 1937-07-16
Movie True Confession Coroner 1937-12-24
Movie It's Love I'm After Elevator Operator (uncredited) 1937-10-08
Movie Vogues of 1938 Curson - Accountant 1937-08-18
Movie Exclusive Dr. Boomgarten 1937-08-06
Movie The Singing Kid Maine Driver (uncredited) 1936-04-10
Movie San Francisco Picnicker (uncredited) 1936-06-26
Movie Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Frank (uncredited) 1936-04-09
Movie Drift Fence Windy Watkins, Traft Foreman 1936-02-14
Movie Earthworm Tractors Taxicab Driver 1936-07-24
Movie Love on a Bet Farmer on Hay Wagon 1936-03-06
Movie The Trail of the Lonesome Pine Mailman 1936-03-13
Movie Petticoat Fever Carl 1936-03-20
Movie Rhythm on the Range Rodeo Announcer 1936-07-01
Movie Valiant Is the Word for Carrie Drug Store Clerk 1936-10-06
Movie Hopalong Cassidy Returns Peg Leg Holden 1936-10-16
Movie To Mary - with Love Chauffeur 1936-08-01
Movie Lady Be Careful Happy 1936-09-03
Movie Murder with Pictures Det. Keogh 1936-09-24
Movie Hollywood Boulevard Gus - Trocadero Bartender 1936-08-20
Movie China Clipper Charlie - the Janitor (uncredited) 1936-08-11
Movie The Texas Rangers David's father (uncredited) 1936-08-28
Movie Men Without Names Town Character 1935-06-29
Movie Manhattan Moon Lunch Man 1935-07-01
Movie The Murder Man Merry-Go-Round Operator (uncredited) 1935-07-12
Movie The Glass Key Waiter (uncredited) 1935-06-15
Movie Murder on a Honeymoon Man with Pelican (uncredited) 1935-02-22
Movie It's A Small World Cal 1935-04-12
Movie Private Worlds McLean 1935-04-19
Movie Goin' to Town Cowboy 1935-04-25
Movie Diamond Jim Passenger 1935-09-01
Movie Mary Jane's Pa Clerk Getting Tied Up 1935-04-27
Movie Bad Boy Butcher 1935-10-25
Movie Hitch Hike Lady Ed Simpson 1935-12-28
Movie Redheads on Parade Entwhistle (uncredited) 1935-09-07
Movie She Couldn't Take It Man at Toll Gate 1935-10-08
Movie Man of Iron Jake 1935-12-21
Movie Two-Fisted Brick Briggs 1935-10-03
Movie Page Miss Glory Waiter (uncredited) 1935-09-07
Movie Here Comes Cookie Thompson 1935-09-10
Movie Powdersmoke Range Gun Store Proprietor 1935-09-27
Movie Now I'll Tell Casino Attendant (uncredited) 1934-06-07
Movie The Hell Cat Regan 1934-06-16
Movie Honor of the Range Townsman (uncredited) 1934-04-15
Movie Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen Joel Prentiss 1934-01-12
Movie Hat, Coat and Glove Coat Salesman (uncredited) 1934-07-26
Movie It Happened One Night Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) 1934-02-22
Movie House of Mystery Ned Pickens 1934-03-30
Movie George White's Scandals Hick (uncredited) 1934-03-15
Movie The Gay Bride Weight-Guesser (uncredited) 1934-12-14
Movie The President Vanishes Gray Shirt Garage Attendant (uncredited) 1934-11-17
Movie Friends of Mr. Sweeney Hat Check Attendent 1934-07-28
Movie By Your Leave Harry 1934-11-09
Movie Broadway Bill Hamburger Stand Owner (uncredited) 1934-11-30
Movie You Belong to Me Stage Manager 1934-09-08
Movie The Pursuit of Happiness Bijah 1934-09-27
Movie No Ransom Heinie 1934-10-07
Movie The Mind Reader Reporter (uncredited) 1933-04-01
Movie Central Airport Airport Weatherman 1933-04-15
Movie The Keyhole Grover - Brooks' Chauffeur (uncredited) 1933-03-25
Movie He Learned About Women Stage Door Man 1933-03-02
Movie Lilly Turner Earle Yokum (uncredited) 1933-05-13
Movie Hello, Everybody! Radio Announcer (uncredited) 1933-02-17
Movie Sing, Bing, Sing Mr. Lake 1933-03-23
Movie Double Harness Crab Counterman 1933-07-21
Movie Female Gas Station Attendant (Uncredited) 1933-11-11
Movie Private Detective 62 Cab Driver 1933-06-10
Movie Ann Vickers Waiter (uncredited) 1933-09-26
Movie Sitting Pretty Dice Player (uncredited) 1933-11-23
Movie Golden Harvest Rev. Dr. Simmons (uncredited) 1933-09-21
Movie Lady for a Day Pool Hall Dupe (uncredited) 1933-09-13
Movie This Is the Night Sparks 1932-04-08
Movie Million Dollar Legs Secretary of War (uncredited) 1932-07-08
Movie The Big Timer Slim Dugan (uncredited) 1932-03-10
Movie High Hats and Low Brows Butler 1932-07-10
Movie Union Depot Depot Hotel Waiter (uncredited) 1932-01-14
Movie No One Man Henry - License Clerk 1932-01-22
Movie Lawyer Man Court Guard (uncredited) 1932-12-24
Movie The Match King Messenger with Bracelet (uncredited) 1932-12-31
Movie Madame Racketeer Gus, the Desk Clerk 1932-07-23
Movie If I Had a Million China Shop Salesman (uncredited) 1932-11-18
Movie Central Park Oscar (uncredited) 1932-12-10
Movie I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang Bill - Barber (uncredited) 1932-11-09
Movie The Big Broadcast Prisoner (uncredited) 1932-10-14
Movie Blondes Prefer Bonds 1931-05-14
Movie Scandal Sheet Reporter Kent (uncredited) 1931-01-31
Movie The Vice Squad Masher (uncredited) 1931-05-29
Movie Alias: The Bad Man Ned 'Repeater' Simpson 1931-07-15
Movie Big Business Girl Waiter (uncredited) 1931-06-12
Movie Bad Girl Expectant Father (uncredited) 1931-08-13
Movie Branded Men Ramrod 1931-11-07
Movie Burning Up Yokel Driver (uncredited) 1930-02-01
Movie Street of Chance Harry 1930-02-08
Movie Matchmaking Mamma Clifford Figfield 1929-03-30
Movie The Rodeo Mabel's Father, Jimmy's Father-in-Law 1929-03-24
Movie Tide of Empire Townsman (uncredited) 1929-03-23
Movie Side Street Henchman Slim (uncredited) 1929-09-14
Movie The Saturday Night Kid McGonigle (uncredited) 1929-10-25
Movie Half Way to Heaven Slim 1929-12-14
Movie Smith's Army Life Inspecting Officer 1928-02-06
Movie The Best Man The Bride's Father 1928-02-08
Movie The Campus Carmen President 1928-09-22
Movie A Dozen Socks Ball Toss Operator 1927-03-12
Movie Broke in China Military Officer 1927-04-23
Movie The Jolly Jilter Tall Servant 1927-03-13
Movie His First Flame Man Who Jumps Out of Window (uncredited) 1927-05-02
Movie Smith's Pony Ship Maintenance Man 1927-09-17
Movie A Prodigal Bridegroom Lizzie's Brother 1926-06-25
Movie Whispering Whiskers Train Chef 1926-01-24
Movie Smith's Uncle 1st Elderly Sucker 1926-11-14
Movie Remember When? Picnicker (uncredited) 1925-04-14
Movie Good Morning, Nurse Servant 1925-05-30
Movie Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies Driver Seeking Car (uncredited) 1925-06-14
Movie A Rainy Knight Peggy's Ex-Husband 1925-09-20
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