Robert Dudley

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Robert Dudley September 13 1869 September 15 1955 was a dentist turned film character actor who in his 35year 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 1942s The Palm Beach Story the funny little selfmade 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