Monty Banks (1897 - 1950)

Silent film actor, stage actor, film director and producer that worked with Mack Sennett films. (bio by: David)

Frank Bank (1942 - 2013)

Actor. He will be fondly remembered for playing Clarence ‘Lumpy’ Rutherford in the TV series “Leave It To Beaver” (1958 to 1963). Born and raised in Los Angeles, he got his start in the industry at the age of ten, when he was cast in the part of Will Rogers as a child in the […]

Jimmy Bangley (1956 - 2004)

Actor. His most memorable acting role was in the 2001 Faye Dunaway directed film “Yellow Bird” but he was more widely recognized for numerous television appearances and magazine articles on the history of the film industry. He was working on a book about the life of silent film star Barbara LaMarr when he died suddenly […]

Holly Bane (1918 - 1995)

Actor. Born in Los Angeles, California, he sometimes billed himself as Mike Ragan and was best known for specializing in playing a bad guy in B Western movies. He made his first film appearance in “Wake Island” (1942), then went on to be in many classic westerns. His western credits included “Song of the Wasteland” […]

Tsumasaburo Bando (1901 - 1953)

Actor and movie producer. Born as “Denkichi Tamura,” he became commonly known as “Bantsuma.” He launched his own movie production company at age 24 and became a famous silent film star. His career faded when silent films began, but he did appear in films as late as 1943, most notably in “The Life of Matsu […]

Sir Squire Bancroft (1841 - 1926)

Actor. Theatre Manager. Born Squire White Butterfield in Rotherhithe, Southwark, London, he was educated privately in England and France. He made his stage debut in Birmingham in 1861. After a four year stint in the provinces, he made his London bow in 1865 at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre in ‘A Winning Hazard.’ It was […]

John Thomas Bambury (1891 - 1960)

Actor. Born in Pennsylvania, he was a dwarf best remembered for his role as a Munchkin in the film, “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). A popular character performer, his other credits included “The Plot Thickens” (1936), “The Terror of Tiny Town” (1938), “Maisie Was a Lady” (1941), Lady in the Dark” (1944) “Superman and the […]

Martin Balsam (1919 - 1996)

Actor. Born to parents of Jewish descent, he experienced his first taste of acting as a villain in an amateur production of “Pot Boiler” in 1935 and after his graduation from DeWitt Clinton High School, he toiled at several occupations. He decided to pursue a career in acting and went onto appear in several off-Broadway […]

Shane Ballard (1981 - 2004)

Actor. A native of Columbus, Mississippi, Ballard appeared in the films, “Cookie Jar” (2003), “Terror Toons 2: The Silly And Sick Show” (2004), and “Citizen Shane” (2004), in which he appeared as himself and chronicled his run for sheriff of Columbus, Mississippi. Ballard also directed the 2003 film, “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and played in […]

Peter Baldwin (1933 - 2015)

British Actor. He was an actor who was very prominent on British television for decades and whose character Derek Wilton on the long running series “Coronation Street” was a fan favorite. After training as an actor, he worked for various theatre companies like the West of England Theatre Company and Old Vic.  Baldwin got his […]

Bill Baldwin (1913 - 1982)

Actor, Radio Announcer. Appeared in motion pictures and on television from the 1950s to the 1980s. Often played the “announcer” in his many roles. (bio by: A.J. Marik)

Chuck Baldra (1899 - 1949)

Actor and Musician. Born in Albany, Oregon to Thomas and Olla DoBord Baldra, his full name was Charles Maurice Baldra. He was a member of various singing groups, including the Arizona Wranglers and Range Riders. He began his acting career in the 1920’s and did henchmen roles and often portrayed one of the cowhands sittin’ […]

Ed Bakey (1925 - 1988)

Actor.  He was born William Edwin Baekey, Jr on Friday the 13th to William Edwin Baekey, Sr, a railroad man, and his wife Mary C Greenleaf.  Using the stage name “Ed Bakey”, he would become one of the most successful American character actors with the ability for having “over 50 faces”. By 1940, he, his […]

Sir Stanley Baker (1927 - 1976)

Welsh-born film actor and producer. Some of his credits include “The Italian Job,” “The Guns of Navarone” and Zulu.” Knighted shortly before his death. (bio by: David Conway)

Snowy Baker (1884 - 1953)

Actor, Athlete.  Known as one of Australia’s greatest athletes, Baker, along with partner W.F. Howe, represented a boxing company in Australia. In 1908, he gained fame for boxing in the Olympic games which were held in London.  Baker was also an expert swimmer and equestrian, performing stunts in 1944’s “National Velvet.”  He also trained actor […]

Phil Baker (1896 - 1963)

Actor, Comedian, and Radio Emcee. He attended school in Boston, Massachusetts where his first stage appearance was in an amateur show. He began his career in vaudeville, playing the piano for violinist Ed Janis and age 19, he teamed with jazz violinist and radio personality Ben Bernie for the vaudeville act “Bernie and Baker.” It […]

Lenny Baker (1945 - 1982)

Actor. His professional career spanned ten years, from 1969 until 1979 and is best remembered for his performance in the 1977 musical “I Love My Wife,” that won him a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. Born Leonard Joel Baker, he graduated in 1962 from Brookline High School in […]

Lee Baker (1875 - 1948)

Actor. He appeared in the films “Sword Of The Avenger” (1948), “Mourning Becomes Electric” (1947), “The Fighting Devil Dogs” (1938), “Soul-Fire” (1925), “The Fighting Blade” (1923), “The Kingdom Of Youth” (1918), and “Just A Woman” (1918). (bio by: K)

Kenny Baker (1912 - 1985)

Actor. Born Kenneth Laurence Baker, he first gained notice in the 1930s as the featured singer on “The Jack Benny Program” radio show. He appeared in seventeen film musicals including “The King and Chorus Girl” (1937), “52nd Street” (1937), “Hit Parade of 1941” (1940) and “Calendar Girl” (1947). After retiring from performing in the early […]

Edwin Baker (1897 - 1968)

Actor. His long career spanned from 1917 to 1965. He was one of the original “Keystone Cops,” and was also the first secretary/treasurer of the Screen Actors Guild. (bio by: A.J. Marik)  Family links:  Spouse:  Christine J Wolf Baker (1900 – 1989)* *Calculated relationship

Bob “Tumbleweed” Baker (1910 - 1975)

Actor. He appeared in motion pictures in the 1930s and 1940s primarily in “Singing Cowboy” western movie roles, most notably in the films “The Singing Outlaw” (1937), “The Last Stand” (1938) and “The Phantom Stage” (1939). After making 25 movies, he soured on Hollywood, and believed hos career as mistreated by studio executives. he retired […]

Richard Bakalyan (1931 - 2015)

Actor. He was typecast playing juvenile delinquents during the first half of his career and later made a name for himself in several Disney pictures. Born in New England, to a Canadian mother and an Armenian father, Richard served with the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He broke into the movie industry […]

William Bailey (1886 - 1962)

Actor. Born in Omaha, Nebraska as Gordon Reineck.  William was a silent screen supporting actor, often  playing the parts of the hero’s sidekick or best friend. He acted in Broadway plays such as Forbidden from 1919 to 1920. Also in other Broadway shows.  He was a member of the original cast of No, No Nanette […]

David Bailey (1933 - 2004)

Actor. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Bailey is most remembered to television audiences for his more recent role as ‘Alistair Crane’ on the soap opera, “Passions.” The character was first began in July 1999 but was only heard in voice and not seen until September 2004 when Bailey took the part. Bailey also played […]

Bill Bailey (1912 - 1978)

Singer, Dancer, and Actor. Brother of legendary singer Pearl Bailey. He appeared in the films, “Rhythm And Blues Revue” (1955), “Cabin in the Sky” (1943), and “Going Native” (1936). An interesting side note, Bailey can be seen tap dancing in the 1955 tribute film to dancer Bill Bojangles “Harlem Variety Revue,” in which he is […]

Parley Baer (1914 - 2002)

Actor. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he was a veteran character performer of more then 40 films and countless televisions shows. He began his career on radio in the 1940s, being featured on programs such as “A Tooth for Paul Revere”, “Dragnet”, “Lux Radio Theatre”, “The Whistler” and many more. For TV, his credits […]

Brian Badcoe (1925 - 1992)

Actor. He was born in Cardiff, Wales and died in England. His film and television credits include “A Man for All Seasons,” “Oliver Twist,””Mata Hari,” “Kim,” “Fanny by Gaslight,” “Nineteen Eighty Four,” “Crossroads,””Upstairs, Downstairs,” “Doctor Who,” “Dixon of Dock Green,” “Doomwatch,” “The Saint,” “The Avengers,” and “The First Lady.” He was married to actress, Hilda […]

Irving Bacon (1893 - 1965)

Actor. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, after serving in the US Army in World War I, he entered films at the Keystone Studios Hollywood, where his athletic prowess featured him in many silent films. A popular character actor he appeared in over 400 films and was best known for his role as Mr. Crumb the […]

Frank Bacon (1864 - 1922)

Actor, Playwright. He is remembered for his work in early silent films and stage in the twilight of his career, after years of relative obscurity. He possessed a laconic, casual style of underplaying that was unusual and connected with audiences. Born on a farm near Yuba City, California, his parents had moved from Kentucky and […]

Fritz Bachschmidt (1928 - 1992)

Actor. Played ‘Gottlieb Griese’ in the famous TV-Series “Lindenstrasse.” (bio by: JSesto)  Inscription:Das Ende ist Unterwegssein