Foster H. Phinney

Biography

Foster Phinney dedicated much of his life to the motion picture business. Fresh out of high school, his suave and sophisticated appearance made it possible for him to break into the film business. He started appearing in scenes that required dress extras while still collecting an occasional paycheck as a soldier. Phinney faces an unusual problem, his elegant appearance made him an unlikely candidate to appear in the trenches in Hollywood's war time films but it enabled him to appear in socialite scenes that usually required much older men. This led him to garnering work as a stand-in in films in the 1940s and 1950s. By the time the 1950s rolled around, Phinney got his big break. He became the regular stand-in for Kirk Douglas. Douglas was so kind to him that Douglas considered him his good luck charm and gave him little roles in all of his films. While his work was steady, it was Douglas who got Phinney steady work as an assistant director. This began a second career where he worked as the assistant director on many shows including The Beverly Hillbillies where he had a character named after him. In the late 1970s, Phinney decided to retire leaving behind a multifaceted career which included being an extra, a bit part actor, an assistant director, and even a director.

Known For

Bar Patron (uncredited)

The Crooked Web

Party Guest (uncredited)

Experiment Perilous

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Twilight for the Gods

Concertgoer (uncredited)

Deception

Party Guest (uncredited)

Humoresque

Bedlam

Party Guest (uncredited)

High Society

Ship Passenger (uncredited)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Party Guest (uncredited)

Louisa

Card Player at Barbershop (uncredited)

Guys and Dolls

Sarah Siddons Awards Guest (uncredited)

All About Eve

Don't Bother to Knock

A Walk in the Sun

Club Patron (uncredited)

Two O'Clock Courage

Night Club Patron (uncredited)

Monsieur Verdoux

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

It's Always Fair Weather

Party Guest (uncredited)

Affair in Trinidad

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

Let's Make It Legal

Reception Guest (uncredited)

The Merry Widow

Theatre Patron (uncredited)

The Country Girl

Wedding Guest (uncredited)

Living It Up