Ralf Harolde (born Ralph Harold Wigger, May 17, 1899 – November 11, 1974) was an American

character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...

who often played gangsters. Between 1920 and 1963, he appeared in 99 films, including '' Smart Money'' with Edward G. Robinson and

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor and dancer. On stage and in film, he was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and maj ...

, '' Jimmy the Gent'' with James Cagney and

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympatheti ...

, '' Night Nurse'' with

Barbara Stanwyck Barbara Stanwyck (; born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress and dancer. A stage, film, and television star, during her 60-year professional career, she was known for her strong, realistic screen p ...

and

Clark Gable William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901November 16, 1960) was an American actor often referred to as the "King of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". He appeared in more than 60 Film, motion pictures across a variety of Film genre, genres dur ...

, ''

I'm No Angel ''I'm No Angel'' is a 1933 American pre-Code black comedy film directed by Wesley Ruggles, and starring Mae West and Cary Grant. West received sole story and screenplay credit. It is one of her early films, and, as such, was not subjected to t ...

'' with

Mae West Mary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned more than seven decades. Recognized as a prominent sex symbol of her time, she was known ...

, ''

Baby Take a Bow ''Baby Take a Bow'' (sometimes written as ''Baby, take a Bow'', etc. in promotional posters at the time) is a 1934 American comedy-drama film directed by Harry Lachman and is one of the earliest Hays code Hollywood films (its MPAA certificate ...

'' with

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple; April 23, 1928 – February 10, 2014) was an American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat, who was Hollywood's number-one box-office draw as a child actress from 1934 to 1938. Later, she was na ...

, ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by English author Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long impr ...

'' with

Ronald Colman Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English-born actor who started his career in theatre and silent film in his native country, then emigrated to the United States where he had a highly successful Cinema of the United ...

, '' Our Relations'' with

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American double act, comedy duo during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) ...

, and ''

Murder, My Sweet ''Murder, My Sweet'' (released as ''Farewell, My Lovely'' in the United Kingdom) is a 1944 American film noir, directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Dick Powell, Claire Trevor and Anne Shirley (in her final film before retirement). The fi ...

'' with

Dick Powell Richard Ewing Powell (November 14, 1904 – January 2, 1963) was an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and studio head. Though he came to stardom as a musical comedy performer, he showed versatility and successfully transform ...

. Harolde was born Ralph Wigger in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

. His father, William Wigger, operated a tobacco store in Pittsburgh. When Harolde finished grade school, he began working at a bank in Pittsburgh and taking night classes at Allegheny High School. He later was secretary to the director of the Sarah Heinz House, but his real interest was acting. He became an extra in productions at the Empire Theatre in Pittsburgh, and his first speaking part came in the comedy ''Officer 666'' in March 1917. He changed his name to Ralf Harolde for the program of that play. Harolde enlisted in the U. S. Marines during World War I and spent seven months at

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island (often abbreviated as MCRD PI) is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. ...

. His scheduled transfer to overseas duty was canceled after the armistice was settled four days before he was to leave. He returned to Pittsburgh and acted with The Pershing Players. Haroled acted on stage before he worked in films. He had his own company in Lincoln, Nebraska, and performed with other stock companies there before he left in May 1928. He also acted on stage in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Columbus, Ohio. While in Columbus, he married Catherine Cornell, who became his business manager. In 1938, Harolde was arrested on charges of trying to kidnap a boy after he was found talking to the boy several blocks from the child's school. When Harolde was booked in Hollywood on suspicion of kidnapping and loitering on public school grounds, he said, "I had no ulterior motive. I only wanted to take the little boy to a store and buy him some ice cream." Harolde died in

Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...

at age 75.

Selected filmography

* ''

Headin' Home ''Headin' Home'' is a 1920 American silent film, silent biopic sports film directed by Lawrence C. Windom. It attempts to create a mythology surrounding the life of baseball player Babe Ruth. The screenplay was written by Arthur "Bugs" Baer f ...

'' (1920) - John Tobin * '' Sunshine Harbor'' (1922) - Billy Saunders * ''

Babe Comes Home ''Babe Comes Home'' is a 1927 American silent sports comedy film produced and distributed through First National and directed by Ted Wilde. The film is a baseball-styled sports film centering on Babe Ruth and Anna Q. Nilsson and was based on t ...

'' (1927) - Baseball Fan (uncredited) * '' Officer O'Brien'' (1930) - Mike Patello * '' Framed'' (1930) - Chuck Gaines * '' Young Desire'' (1930) - Blackie * '' Dixiana'' (1930) - Royal Montague * ''

Check and Double Check ''Check and Double Check'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film produced and released by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the ''Amos 'n' Andy'' radio show. The title was derived from a catchphrase associated with the show. Directed by Melville ...

'' (1930) - Ralph Crawford * '' Hook, Line and Sinker'' (1930) - John Blackwell * '' Smart Money'' (1931) - Sleepy Sam * '' Night Nurse'' (1931) - Dr. Milton Ranger * ''

Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757July 12, 1804) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the first U.S. secretary of the treasury from 1789 to 1795 dur ...

'' (1931) - James Reynolds * '' The Tip-Off'' (1931) - Nick Vatelli * ''

Are These Our Children? ''Are These Our Children?'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and written by Howard Estabrook. The film stars Eric Linden, Ben Alexander, Beryl Mercer, Mary Kornman, Arline Judge, and Rochelle Hudson. The f ...

'' (1931) - Prosecutor (uncredited) * '' Safe in Hell'' (1931) - Piet Van Saal * ''

The Secret Witness ''The Secret Witness'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film, directed by Thornton Freeland and starring Una Merkel, William Collier Jr. and Zasu Pitts.Goble p. 946 It is an adaptation of the novel ''Murder in the Gilded Cage'' by Sam Spewack ...

'' (1931) - Lewis Leroy * '' Creation'' (1931) - Ned Hallet * '' The Expert'' (1932) - Jim Crowley * '' Play Girl'' (1932) - Willie (scenes deleted) * ''

Hollywood Speaks ''Hollywood Speaks'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Genevieve Tobin, Pat O'Brien and Leni Stengel. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. Plot A despairing young actress is stop ...

'' (1932) - Carp * '' Winner Take All'' (1932) - Legs Davis - Diamond Ring Seller * ''

The Billion Dollar Scandal ''The Billion Dollar Scandal'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Harry Joe Brown and written by Beatrice Banyard, Willard Mack and Gene Towne. The film stars Robert Armstrong, Constance Cummings, Olga Baclanova, Frank Morgan ...

'' (1933) - Anderson (scenes deleted) * '' Cheating Blondes'' (1933) - Lawson Rolt * ''

Picture Snatcher ''Picture Snatcher'' is a 1933 American pre-code comedy-drama film starring James Cagney as a gangster who decides to quit to pursue his dream. Plot After leaving prison, gang lord Danny Kean (James Cagney) shocks everyone by quitting crime. He ...

'' (1933) - Jerry *''

Her Resale Value ''Her Resale Value'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring June Clyde, George J. Lewis and Noel Francis.Pitts, p. 253 The film's sets were designed by the art director Paul Palmentola. Plot Bored of ...

'' (1933) - Sidney Fletcher * ''

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778), known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' Voltaire (, ; ), was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, philosopher (''philosophe''), satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit ...

'' (1933) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Deluge A deluge is a large downpour of rain, often a flood. The Deluge refers to the flood narrative in the biblical book of Genesis. Deluge or Le Déluge may also refer to: History *Deluge (history), the Swedish and Russian invasion of the Polish-L ...

'' (1933) - Norwood * ''

'' (1933) - Slick Wiley * '' Night Flight'' (1933) - Pilot * '' Jimmy the Gent'' (1934) - Hendrickson * '' The Witching Hour'' (1934) - Frank Hardmuth * ''

He Was Her Man ''He Was Her Man'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mob film starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, and Victor Jory. The film was directed by Lloyd Bacon. Plot Flicker Hayes informs the police after he sets up two men to be caught in a phony robbe ...

'' (1934) - Frank 'Red' Deering * ''

'' (1934) - Trigger Stone * '' Fifteen Wives'' (1934) - The Electric Voice *'' Once to Every Bachelor'' (1934) - Schuyler * '' She Loves Me Not'' (1934) - J. B. Marshall * ''

Million Dollar Baby ''Million Dollar Baby'' is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced, scored by and starring Clint Eastwood from a screenplay by Paul Haggis. It is based on stories from the 2000 collection ''Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner' ...

'' (1934) - Mac * '' Sweepstake Annie'' (1935) - Hobart - Screenwriter (uncredited) * '' The Perfect Clue'' (1935) - Sid Barkley * ''

Great God Gold ''Great God Gold'' is a 1935 film. It was Arthur Lubin's second film as director. Plot In the late 1920s, "Lucky" John Hart has a reputation as a stock market speculator. He does an interview with reported Phil "Stu" Stuart, which predicts the Wa ...

'' (1935) - Frank Nitto * ''

Stolen Harmony ''Stolen Harmony'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring George Raft, Ben Bernie and Grace Bradley. It is a semi-musical, featuring Big Band numbers. It was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Plot ...

'' (1935) - Dude Williams (uncredited) * '' Silk Hat Kid'' (1935) - Lefty Phillips * ''

Woman Wanted ''Woman Wanted'' is a 1999 film directed by Kiefer Sutherland (later credited as Alan Smithee). It is based on a novel by Joanna Glass, who also wrote the screenplay. It stars Sutherland, Holly Hunter, Michael Moriarty, and Sutherland's mother, ...

'' (1935) - Monk Shelby (uncredited) * ''

Forced Landing A forced landing is a landing by an aircraft made under factors outside the pilot's control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components, or weather which makes continued flight impossible. However, the term also means a landing that has ...

'' (1935) - Burns * ''

'' (1935) - Prosecutor * '' If You Could Only Cook'' (1935) - Swig * '' My Marriage'' (1936) - Jones * '' The Little Red Schoolhouse'' (1936) - Pete Scardoni * '' Song and Dance Man'' (1936) - Crosby * ''

Human Cargo ''Human Cargo'' is a 2004 Canadian television miniseries. The series won seven Gemini Awards and two Directors Guild of Canada Awards. It premiered on CBC Television on January 4, 2004 and starred Kate Nelligan, Cara Pifko, Bayo Akinfemi and Nic ...

'' (1936) - Tony Sculla * '' Our Relations'' (1936) - Gangster Boss * '' 15 Maiden Lane'' (1936) - Tony * ''

The Accusing Finger ''The Accusing Finger'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Madeleine Ruthven, Brian Marlow, John Bright and Robert Tasker. The film stars Paul Kelly, Marsha Hunt, Kent Taylor, Robert Cummings, Harry Ca ...

'' (1936) - 'Spud' * '' A Man Betrayed'' (1936) - Tony Maroc * '' Her Husband Lies'' (1937) - Steve Burdick * ''

The Last Train from Madrid ''The Last Train from Madrid'' is a 1937 American war drama film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Dorothy Lamour, Lew Ayres and Gilbert Roland. It is set during the Spanish Civil War. The film was one of the few contemporary Hollywood f ...

'' (1937) - Spanish Man (uncredited) * ''

One Mile from Heaven ''One Mile from Heaven'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick. The film stars Claire Trevor, Sally Blane, Douglas Fowley, Fredi Washington, Joan Carroll and Ralf Harolde. The film w ...

'' (1937) - Moxie McGrath * ''

Conquest Conquest involves the annexation or control of another entity's territory through war or Coercion (international relations), coercion. Historically, conquests occurred frequently in the international system, and there were limited normative or ...

'' (1937) - Lejeune (uncredited) * ''

Undercover Agent A covert operation or undercover operation is a military or police operation involving a covert agent or troops acting under an assumed cover to conceal the identity of the party responsible. US law Under US law, the Central Intelligence Ag ...

'' (1939) - Bartel * ''

The Rookie Cop ''The Rookie Cop'' is a 1939 film directed by David Howard and starring Tim Holt as a rookie cop who wants to prove his friend wasn't involved with a robbery. The film also stars Virginia Weidler, Janet Shaw, Frank M. Thomas, and Muriel Evans ...

'' (1939) - Joey Anderman, Roadhouse Owner * '' The San Francisco Docks'' (1940) - Hawks (uncredited) * '' Lucky Devils'' (1941) - R. W. Ritter * '' Ridin' on a Rainbow'' (1941) - Blake * '' The Sea Wolf'' (1941) - Agent Getting Johnson Shanghaied (uncredited) * '' Horror Island'' (1941) - Rod Grady * ''

Raiders of the Desert ''Raiders of the Desert'' is a 1941 American comedy adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Andy Devine, Richard Arlen and Linda Hayes. The film was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. It featured early appearance by Tur ...

'' (1941) - Sheik Talifer * ''

Rags to Riches Rags to riches (also rags-to-riches) refers to any situation in which a person rises from poverty to wealth, and in some cases from absolute obscurity to heights of fame, fortune and celebrity—sometimes instantly. This is a common archetype i ...

'' (1941) - Slip Conlan * '' No Greater Sin'' (1941) - Nick Scaturo (uncredited) * '' Bad Man of Deadwood'' (1941) - Jake Marvel * ''

The Stork Pays Off ''The Stork Pays Off'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Lew Landers and starring Victor Jory, Rochelle Hudson, Maxie Rosenbloom, Horace McMahon, George McKay and Ralf Harolde. The screenplay was written by Fanya Foss and Aleen Leslie. ...

'' (1941) - 'Stud' Rocco * ''

I Killed That Man ''I Killed That Man'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Ricardo Cortez, Joan Woodbury and Iris Adrian. Produced by the King Brothers Productions, King Brothers for release by Monogram Pictures, it is a remake of ...

'' (1941) - Nick Ross * '' Sealed Lips'' (1942) - Lips Haggarty * '' Jail House Blues'' (1942) - Charlie, the Chopper (uncredited) * ''

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

'' (1942) - Dolph * ''

Gang Busters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936 and was broadcast for more 21 years through November 27, 1957. H ...

'' (1942, Serial) - Halliger * ''

Baby Face Morgan ''Baby Face Morgan'' is a 1942 American crime comedy thriller film directed by Arthur Dreifuss. It stars Mary Carlisle and Richard Cromwell. The film was a notable "B" effort for PRC (Producers Releasing Corporation). Jack Schwarz was produce ...

'' (1942) - Joe Torelli * '' Sin Town'' (1942) - 'Kentucky'Jones * '' Secret Service in Darkest Africa'' (1943, Serial) - Riverboat Captain h. 1* '' A Lady Takes a Chance'' (1943) - Croupier (uncredited) * ''

Captain America Captain America is a superhero created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in '' Captain America Comics'' #1, published on December 20, 1940, by Timely C ...

'' (1943, Serial) - Tate - Apartment Thug h. 2(uncredited) * ''

Roger Touhy, Gangster ''Roger Touhy, Gangster'' is a 1944 American gangster film based on the life of Chicago mob figure Roger Touhy, directed by film noir specialist Robert Florey. Parts of the film were shot at Stateville Correctional Center near Joliet, Illinoi ...

'' (1944) - Prisoner (uncredited) * ''

'' (1944) - Dr. Sonderborg * '' The Phantom Speaks'' (1945) - Frankie Teal * '' Mr. District Attorney'' (1947) - Mr. Marsden (uncredited) * ''

Backlash Backlash may refer to: Literature * '' Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women'', a 1991 book by Susan Faludi * ''Backlash'' (Star Wars novel), a 2010 novel by Aaron Allston * Backlash (Marc Slayton), a comic book character from ...

'' (1947) - X-Ray Technician (uncredited) * ''

Jewels of Brandenburg ''Jewels of Brandenburg'' is a 1947 American crime film directed by Eugene Forde and written by Irving Cummings Jr. and Robert G. North. The film stars Richard Travis, Micheline Cheirel, Leonard Strong, Carol Thurston, Lewis Russell and Loui ...

'' (1947) - Koslic * '' Desperate'' (1947) - Walt's Doctor (uncredited) * ''

The Crimson Key ''The Crimson Key'' is a 1947 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and written by Irving Elman, starring Kent Taylor, Doris Dowling and Dennis Hoey. It was released on July 2 by 20th Century Fox. Plot Private detective Larry Morgan i ...

'' (1947) - Gunman * '' Assigned to Danger'' (1948) - Matty Farmer * ''

Hazard A hazard is a potential source of harm. Substances, events, or circumstances can constitute hazards when their nature would potentially allow them to cause damage to health, life, property, or any other interest of value. The probability of that ...

'' (1948) - Taxicab Driver * ''

Behind Locked Doors ''Behind Locked Doors'' is a 1948 film noir directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Lucille Bremer, Richard Carlson and Tor Johnson. The title "Human Gorilla" for this movie can be found on various copies of this movie. Although the film fe ...

'' (1948) - Fred Hopps * '' Alaska Patrol'' (1949) - Steele * '' Killer Shark'' (1950) - Slattery * '' The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond'' (1960) - Doctor (uncredited) * ''

A New Kind of Love ''A New Kind of Love'' is a 1963 American romantic comedy film written, directed, and produced by Melville Shavelson and starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Frank Sinatra sings "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me" over the opening credi ...

'' (1963) - French Waiter (uncredited)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Harolde, Ralf 1899 births 1974 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors Deaths from pneumonia in California Male actors from Pittsburgh 20th-century American male actors