Moroni Olsen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 – November 22, 1954) was an American actor.
Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Some sources have claimed that Olsen's birth name was John Willard Clawson, but there appears to be no support for this claim.
Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University. He then went to study at the University of Utah, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time.
In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle.
After having worked on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring Don Ameche as D'Artagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor.
His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in It's a Wonderful Life.
Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church, being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years.
Acting
Movie
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
as Magic Mirror (voice) (uncredited)
1938
Movie
It's a Wonderful Life
as Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
1946
Movie
Notorious
as Walter Beardsley
1946
Movie
Mildred Pierce
as Inspector Peterson
1945
TV
I Love Lucy
as Judge
1951
Movie
Samson and Delilah
as Targil
1949
Movie
Father of the Bride
as Herbert Dunstan
1950
Movie
Call Northside 777
as Parole Board Chairman
1948
Movie
The Fountainhead
as Chairman
1949
Movie
The Glass Key
as Ralph Henry
1942
Movie
Possessed
as Dr. Ames
1947
Movie
Father's Little Dividend
as Herbert Dunstan
1951
Movie
Life with Father
as Dr. Humphries
1947
Movie
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
as General (uncredited)
1944
Movie
Santa Fe Trail
as Robert E. Lee
1940
Movie
Air Force
as Col. Blake
1943
Movie
The Long, Long Trailer
as Mr. Tewitt
1954
Movie
Madame Curie
as President of Businessman's Board (uncredited)
1943
Movie
Death Takes a Holiday
as Cardinal De Valle (uncredited)
1934
Movie
The Long Night
as Chief of Police Bob McManus
1947
Movie
The Strange Woman
as Rev. Thatcher
1946
Movie
Mary of Scotland
as John Knox
1936
Movie
Buffalo Bill
as Sen. Frederici
1944
Movie
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
as Caliph Hassan
1944