Russell Simpson
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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.
Acting
Movie
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
as Kenneth Allen (uncredited)
1939
Movie
The Grapes of Wrath
as Pa Joad
1940
Movie
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
as Fred Bixby
1954
Movie
My Darling Clementine
as John Simpson
1946
Movie
The Horse Soldiers
as Henry Goodbody
1959
Movie
Meet John Doe
as (uncredited)
1941
Movie
Young Mr. Lincoln
as Woolridge (uncredited)
1939
Movie
Oklahoma!
as The Minister (uncredited)
1955
Movie
Wagon Master
as Adam Perkins
1950
Movie
The Tin Star
as Clem Hall
1957
Movie
Friendly Persuasion
as Brother Griffith - Elder (uncredited)
1956
Movie
They Were Expendable
as 'Dad' Knowland
1945
Movie
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Dr. Petry
1939
Movie
Dodge City
as Orth
1939
Movie
Joan of Arc
as Old Man with Pipe (uncredited)
1948
Movie
Broken Lance
as Judge (uncredited)
1954
Movie
San Francisco
as 'Red' Kelly
1936
Movie
The Tall Men
as Emigrant (uncredited)
1955
Movie
Tall in the Saddle
as Pat Foster (uncredited)
1944
Movie
The Spoilers
as Flapjack
1942
Movie
Santa Fe Trail
as Shubel Morgan
1940
Movie
Tobacco Road
as Chief of Police
1941
Movie
The Eagle
as The Eagle's Lieutenant / Coach Driver (uncredited)
1925
Movie
The Sun Shines Bright
as Lewt Lake
1953