Robert Dudley
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Robert Dudley (September 13, 1869 – September 15*, 1955) was a dentist turned film character actor who, in his 35-year career, appeared in more than 115 films. Dudley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and was educated at Lake Forest College in Evanston, Illinois and Chicago, where he majored in oral surgery. In 1917 he appeared in his first film, Seven Keys to Baldpate, and then made three other silent films through 1921. After 1922 he worked consistently, appearing in three or four films a year, and making the transition to sound films in 1929 with The Bellamy Trial. Dudley often played characters with a quick temper, including jurors, shopkeepers, ticket agents, court clerks and justices of the peace, as well as an occasional farmer, hobo, or laborer. His performances in these small parts were frequently uncredited. In the 1940s, Dudley was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges. His most distinctive and memorable role for Sturges was the "Wienie King" in 1942's The Palm Beach Story, the funny little self-made rich man with a big hat who spontaneously bankrolls Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea on their escapade. The 5' 9" Dudley, who was the founder of the "Troupers Club of Hollywood", was married to Elaine Anderson, and they had two girls, Jewell and Patricia Lee. He made his final film, As Young as You Feel, in 1951, and died in 1955 in San Clemente, California. *[TMDb note: The California Death Index indicates that Mr. Dudley died on 12 November 1955. That date should therefore be considered accurate and official.]
Known For
Robert McDuffy
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
Wienie King
The Palm Beach Story
Bailey
Making a Man
Jim Simpson
Fools for Luck
Abner Blake
The Ninety and Nine
San Antonio
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Wild Gold
Ben Bowron
The Ghost and the Guest
Mannering's Night Watchman (uncredited)
Midnight Mary
Simpkins (uncredited)
The Jackpot
Hotel Waiter
The Doughgirls
Vigilante Leader (uncredited)
Frisco Kid
Reformer
Shanghai Rose
Theatre Employee Shooting Victim (uncredited)
The Perfect Set-Up
Broken Lullaby
Pierce Gill
Traveling Salesman
Lady on a Train
Office Worker
Wide Open
Harold's Secretary (uncredited)
For Heaven's Sake
Dickey
Magic Town
Justice Of The Peace
Casanova Brown
Yes Man
The Last Edition
Parson
Dames Ahoy
Mr. Christopher (uncredited)
Conspiracy
Sheriff
Burning Up
Lem - the Druggist
Three Wise Girls
Fuller (uncredited)
San Quentin
Robert - Matilda's Chauffeur (uncredited)
Christmas Eve
Freddy
The Night Flyer
Lem (uncredited)
All That Money Can Buy
Secretary
The Marriage Clause
Telegraph Editor
Big News
Financier
The Extra Girl
Bar Patron at The Maples
Sleep, My Love
Court Clerk
Zenobia
Flint's Secretary
Scandal Sheet
Robert - Chauffeur
Paddy O'Day
Minister (uncredited)
Face in the Sky
Farmer
Almost a Gentleman
Reporter (uncredited)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Justice of the Peace Jonathan Kirby (uncredited)
Son of Dracula
Store Owner (uncredited)
Fury
Storekeeper (uncredited)
Belle of the Yukon
Pop (Watchman) (uncredited)
Race Street
Husband on Ship (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
Justice of the Peace (uncredited)
It Happened Tomorrow
Chemist (uncredited)
Mourning Becomes Electra
Pete Norris - Juror
When the Daltons Rode
Pop
Strike It Rich
Old Man Bowers (uncredited)
Happy Land
Jury Foreman
The House of the Seven Gables
Hank Edwards
Haunted House
Postman (uncredited)
Stranger on the Third Floor
Bailiff (uncredited)
Lucky Partners
Jasper Saddler
On the Stroke of Three
Photographer (uncredited)
Citizen Kane
Farmer (uncredited)
Casey at the Bat
French-speaking party guest
A Woman of the World
Clerk
Seven Keys to Baldpate
Tidmarsh
The Fourteenth Man
Carpenter
Living in a Big Way
Frank Hostetter (uncredited)
Main Street Today
Man (uncredited)
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
Elderly Man
Honeymoon Lodge
Rancher at Auction
The Mighty Treve
Shopkeeper (uncredited)
Yankee Doodle Goes to Town
Gramp McCoy
Singin' in the Corn
Shopkeeper
3 Kids and a Queen
Army Officer
The Tiger's Claw
Rogers' Attorney (uncredited)
One a Minute
Juror (uncredited)
An American Tragedy
Janitor
The Toast of New York
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
Store Proprietor
Dynamite
Process Server (uncredited)
Gallant Journey
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
75
Gender
Male
Birthday
1889-09-12
Place of Birth
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Also Known As
Robert Y. Dudley