John Litel

John Litel

John Litel in the trailer for Little Miss Thoroughbred (1938)
Born John Beach Litel
(1892-12-30)December 30, 1892
Albany, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died February 3, 1972(1972-02-03) (aged 79)
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1929–1967
Spouse(s) Ruth Pichens (1920-1955; her death)
Beatrice West (1955-1972; his death)

John Litel (December 30, 1892 – February 3, 1972) was an American film and television actor.

During World War I, Litel enlisted in the French Army and was twice decorated for bravery.

Back in the U.S. after the war, Litel enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his stage career. In 1929, he started appearing in films. Part of the "Warner Bros. Stock Company" beginning in the 1930s, he appeared in dozens of Warner Bros. films. He often played supporting roles such as hard-nosed cops, district attorneys, etc. He appeared in over 200 films, including They Drive by Night (1940), Knute Rockne, All American (1940), They Died with Their Boots On (1941), Scaramouche (1952), and his final film role in Nevada Smith (1966).

In the second season of the Disney series Zorro, he played the Governor of California in several episodes. From 1960 to 1961, he was cast as Dan Murchison in nine episodes of the ABC western television series, Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers and Robert Bray.

He appeared in many other series as well, including the role of Captain David Rowland in the episode "Don't Get Tough with a Sailor" on the ABC/Desilu western series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp starring Hugh O'Brian. In the story line, Rowland, a former captain in the United States Navy, is a wealthy Arizona Territory rancher who operates his own law and private jail near the Mexican border.[1]

He appeared as Mr. Crenshaw in the episode "The Giant Killer" (March 3, 1959) of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series Sugarfoot with Will Hutchins in the title role. In the segment, Patricia Barry plays the recently widowed Doreen Bradley who, with the assistance of Sugarfoot, exposes to a grateful town the corruption and cowardice of Lou Stoner (R. G. Armstrong), a leading candidate for a territorial governorship. Others in the segment are Dorothy Provine, Russ Conway, and child actor Jay North.[2]

Partial filmography

References

  1. ↑ "Don't Get Tough with a Sailor (February 23, 1960)". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ ""The Giant Killer", March 3, 1959". Internet Movie Data Base. Retrieved December 29, 2013.
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