Walter Catlett

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Walter L. Catlett (born February 4, 1889 in San Francisco , California - † November 14, 1960 in Woodland Hills , Los Angeles , California) was an American actor .

life and career

Catlett began his acting career in the theater in 1906 and was soon a successful vaudeville star. In the meantime he also took part in operas. In the 1920s he starred in Broadway musicals by Jerome Kern and George Gershwin . In 1924 he appeared on the side of Fred Astaire in the Gershwin piece Lady, Be Good , where he played the original version of the famous song Oh, Lady Be Good! sang. In the same year Catlett made his film debut in the love comedy Second Youth directed by Albert Parke , there he played the role of John McNab on the side of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne . Over 150 film and television appearances followed by 1957, where he mainly specialized in comedic supporting roles . He often played pompous pompos, fools, or swindlers. He had one of his most famous appearances as the drunken poet Morrow in Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936) directed by Frank Capra . He was also the original spokesman for the Honorable John ( Foulfellow the Fox ) in the 1940 Disney film adaptation of Pinocchio .

In 1938 Walter Catlett was hired by Howard Hawks for the classic film Leopard You Don't Kiss (1938), where he played the idiot police chief who has meanwhile imprisoned half the cast of the film. In this film, however, he still had a job behind the camera: Leading actress Katharine Hepburn received acting lessons from Catlett, as she did not struggle with the first comic role of her career in Leopard Kissing and required the help of the experienced Broadway comedian. Walter Catlett remained connected to the film and theater business until his death, in the last years of his life he even made some appearances in the then emerging medium of television. Catlett died on November 14, 1960 at the age of 71 from complications from a heart attack . He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City . He was married to both Ruth Verney and Zanetta Watrous.

His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 1713 Vine Street.

Filmography (selection)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 5 for the Day: Katharine Hepburn
personal data
SURNAME Catlett, Walter
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Catlett, Walter L.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION US-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH February 4, 1889
PLACE OF BIRTH San Francisco , California
DATE OF DEATH November 14, 1960
Place of death Woodland Hills , Los Angeles , California