James A. Westerfield (March 22, 1913 – September 20, 1971) was an American character actor of stage, film, and television.

Early life

Westerfield was born in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, to candy-maker Brasher Omier Westerfield and his wife Dora Elizabeth Bailey. He was raised in

Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

. (A news story in the June 12, 1949, issue of the ''Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' calls the information in the preceding sentence into question. It describes Westerfield as "the son of a famous producer-director" and says he was "a youngster in Denver, Col.")

Career

Stage

Westerfield became interested in theatre as a young man and in the 1930s joined Gilmor Brown's famed Pasadena Community Playhouse, appearing in dozens of plays. He played in numerous films following his screen debut in 1940, then went to

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

and performed on Broadway, winning two New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards for his supporting roles in ''

The Madwoman of Chaillot ''The Madwoman of Chaillot'' (, ) is a play, a poetic satire, by French dramatist Jean Giraudoux, written in 1943 and first performed in 1945, after his death. The play is in two acts. The story concerns an eccentric woman who lives in Paris and ...

'' and '' Detective Story''. He then returned to Hollywood and was cast in more than 40 additional

film A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, sinc ...

s. Despite his growing involvement acting in motion pictures and later in television productions, Westerfield maintained an active interest in the theatre for the remainder of his career. He directed more than 50 musicals in a summer-musical tent he owned in

Danbury, Connecticut Danbury ( ) is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2020 was 86,518. It is the third-largest city in Western Connecticut, and the seventh-largest ...

, and was the original stage director and producer for the Greek Theatre in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. He directed three seasons of "Theatre Under the Stars" in

Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

, and appeared in musical roles with the Detroit Civic Light Opera, the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, and the San Francisco Civic Light Opera. He also was active in the

Gaetano Merola Gaetano Merola (4 January 1881 – 30 August 1953) was an Italian conductor, pianist and founder of the San Francisco Opera. Biography Merola was born in Naples, the son of a Neapolitan court violinist and studied piano and conducting at t ...

Opera Company in San Francisco in the early 1940s.

Film

On film, Westerfield had roles in ''

The Magnificent Ambersons ''The Magnificent Ambersons'' is a 1918 novel by Booth Tarkington, the second in his ''Growth'' trilogy after '' The Turmoil'' (1915) and before ''The Midlander'' (1923, retitled ''National Avenue'' in 1927). It won the Pulitzer Prize for fict ...

'' (1942), ''On the Waterfront'' (1954), '' Lucy Gallant'' (1955), the 1957 Budd Boetticher-directed Western '' Decision at Sundown'' starring

Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor, whose Hollywood career spanned from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in dramas, come ...

, '' ''Cowboy'''' (1958), a repeating role in '' The Shaggy Dog'', ''

The Absent-Minded Professor ''The Absent-Minded Professor'' is a 1961 American science fiction comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. It is based on the 1943 short story "A Situation of Gravity" (May 22, 1943 ''Liberty'') by ...

'' (1961) and its sequel '' Son of Flubber'' (1963), '' Birdman of Alcatraz'' (1962), '' Man's Favorite Sport'' (1964), ''

The Sons of Katie Elder ''The Sons of Katie Elder'' is a 1965 American Western film in Panavision, directed by Henry Hathaway and starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. It was filmed principally in Mexico. Plot The four adult sons of Katie Elder – John, who is a fam ...

'' (1965), '' Hang 'Em High'' (1968), and '' True Grit'' (1969).

Television

Westerfield had many roles on television, including seven episodes as John Murrel from 1963 to 1964 on ABC's '' The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters'', starring

child actor The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage, television, or in film, movies. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associa ...

Kurt Russell Kurt Vogel Russell (born March 17, 1951) is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor before transitioning to leading roles as an adult in various genres such as action adventures, science-fiction, westerns, romance films, co ...

in the title role. He made two guest appearances on '' Perry Mason'', including the role of Sheriff Bert Elmore in the 1957 episode "The Case of the Angry Mourner", as well as in the role of murder victim Roger Quigley in the 1961 episode "The Case of the Resolute Reformer". He also appears in the 1954 episode "Texas Draw" on the

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

''. Some other examples of Westerfield's work on television include performances on series such as ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television series starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'', '' The Californians'', ''

Richard Diamond, Private Detective ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'' is an American detective drama, created by Blake Edwards, which aired on radio from 1949 to 1953, and on television from 1957 to 1960. Radio Dick Powell starred in the ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective' ...

'', '' The Alaskans'', '' The Rebel'', '' Straightaway'', ''

Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest ...

'', '' The Asphalt Jungle'', ''

Hazel Hazels are plants of the genus ''Corylus'' of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family, Betulaceae,Germplasmgobills Information Network''Corylus''Rushforth, K ...

'', The Twilight Zone, '' The Big Valley'', ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American sitcom television series that was aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. The series ...

'', ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (, 1734September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyo ...

'', ''

The Beverly Hillbillies ''The Beverly Hillbillies'' is an American television sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It had an ensemble cast featuring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the Clampetts, a poor backwoods family ...

'', two episodes of '' Maverick'', and four episodes of ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

''. He played the circus leader, Dr. Marvello, in an episode of '' Lost in Space'' "Space Circus" (1966), My Three Sons "A horse for Uncle Charlie" (1968).

Personal life

Westerfield as a young man was a roommate of fellow Pasadena Playhouse actor George Reeves. The two remained close friends until Reeves's death in 1959. In the 1950s, Westerfield's wife was the former Frances Lansing, who had been an actress. Later, Westerfield was married to Alice G. Fay (an actress under the name Fay Tracey). Westerfield died from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...

in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 58.

Selected filmography

* '' The Howards of Virginia'' (1940) - Backwoodsman (film debut, uncredited) * ''

Highway West ''Highway West'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by William C. McGann and starring Brenda Marshall, Arthur Kennedy and William Lundigan. It is a remake of the 1934 film ''Heat Lightning''.Goble p.1 It was produced and distributed by War ...

'' (1941) - Swede, Trucker at Cafe * '' The Bashful Bachelor'' (1942) - Carnival Pitchman (uncredited) * '' About Face'' (1942) - Soldier with Daisy (uncredited) * ''

'' (1942) - Policeman at Accident (uncredited) * '' The Pride of the Yankees'' (1942) - Spectator (uncredited) * ''

Timber Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...

'' (1942) - Lumberjack (uncredited) * '' Around the World'' (1943) - Bashful Marine (uncredited) * '' Since You Went Away'' (1944) - Convalescent on Rehab Steps (uncredited) * '' O.S.S.'' (1946) - Detective Roberts (uncredited) * '' Undercurrent'' (1946) - Henry Gilson * '' The Chase'' (1946) - Job the Butler * '' Side Street'' (1950) - Patrolman Charlie (uncredited) * ''

Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town ''Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Charles Lamont. It is the second installment of Universal-International's '' Ma and Pa Kettle'' series starring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. Plot At the conclusion ...

'' (1950) - Harvey, Zoo Attendant (uncredited) * '' The Whistle at Eaton Falls'' (1951) - Joe London * ''

On The Waterfront ''On the Waterfront'' is a 1954 American crime drama film, directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando, and features Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, Pat Henning and Eva Marie Saint in her film de ...

'' (1954) - Big Mac * '' Three Hours to Kill'' (1954) - Sam Minor * '' The Human Jungle'' (1954) - Police Captain Marty Harrison * '' The Violent Men'' (1954) - Sheriff Magruder * '' Chief Crazy Horse'' (1955) - Caleb Mantz * '' Cell 2455, Death Row'' (1955) - Red (uncredited) * '' The Cobweb'' (1955) - James Petlee * '' The Scarlet Coat'' (1955) - Colonel Jameson * '' Lucy Gallant'' (1955) - Harry Wilson * '' Man with the Gun'' (1955) - Mr. Zender * '' Away All Boats'' (1956) - 'Boats' Torgeson * ''

Three Brave Men ''Three Brave Men'' is a 1956 American drama film directed by Philip Dunne and starring Ray Milland, Ernest Borgnine and Frank Lovejoy. The film was based on real-life events arising in Greenbelt, Maryland,Knepper, Cathy D. ''Greenbelt, Maryla ...

'' (1956) - Chief of Police Timothy Aloysius O'Reilly * '' Jungle Heat'' (1957) - Harvey Mathews * '' Decision at Sundown'' (1957) - Otis * ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1958) (Season 4 Episode 8: "Safety for the Witness") - Police Commissioner Cummings * ''

Cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the ''vaquero'' ...

'' (1958) - Mike Adams * '' The Proud Rebel'' (1958) - Birm Bates * '' The Walter Winchell File'' "The Window" (1958) - Joe Vivianno * '' The Hangman'' (1959) - Herb Loftus * '' The Shaggy Dog'' (1959) - Officer Hanson * '' The Gunfight at Dodge City'' (1959) - Reverend Howard * ''

'' (1960) (Season 5 Episode 34: "Cell 227") - Pops Lafferty * '' New Comedy Showcase'' (1960) (Season 1 Episode 3: "They Went Thataway") - Black Ace Burton * '' Wild River'' (1960) - Cal Garth * '' The Plunderers'' (1960) - Mike Baron, Saloon Owner * ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'' (1960-1970, two episodes) - Sheriff John Logan / Arthur Blackwell * ''

'' (1961) - Police Officer Hanson * '' Homicidal'' (1961) - Alfred S. Adrims * '' Birdman of Alcatraz'' (1962) - Jess Younger * '' Son of Flubber'' (1963) - Police Officer Hanson * '' Man's Favorite Sport'' (1964) - Policeman * '' Bikini Beach'' (1964) - Cop #2 * ''

'' (1965) - Mr. Vennar * '' That Funny Feeling'' (1965) - Officer Brokaw * '' Lost in Space'' (1966) - Dr. Marvello * '' Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round'' (1966) - Jack Balter * '' A Man Called Gannon'' (1968) - Amos * ''

Blue Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB color model, RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB color model, RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between Violet (color), violet and cyan on the optical spe ...

'' (1968) - Abe Parker * '' Hang 'Em High'' (1968) - Prisoner * '' Smith!'' (1969) - Sheriff * '' True Grit'' (1969) - Judge Parker * '' The Love God?'' (1969) - Reverend Wilkerson * '' Dead Aim'' (1971) - John Applebee (final film)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Westerfield, James A. American male stage actors American male film actors American male television actors Male actors from Nashville, Tennessee 1913 births 1971 deaths 20th-century American male actors Male actors from New York City Male actors from Los Angeles Western (genre) television actors