- Morris Ankrum
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Morris Ankrum 
Born Morris Nussbaum
August 27, 1896
Danville, Illinois, U.S.Died September 2, 1964 (aged 68)
Pasadena, California, U.S.Years active 1933–64 Spouse Joan Wheeler (1935-64)
Gillian Gilbert (? - ?)Morris Ankrum (August 28, 1896 – September 2, 1964) was an American radio, television and film character actor.
Contents
Early life
Born Morris Nussbaum in Danville, Illinois, Ankrum's originally began his career in academics. After graduating from USC with a law degree, he went on to an associate professorship in economics at the University of California, Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he became involved in the drama department and eventually began teaching drama and directing at the Pasadena Playhouse.[1]
Film career
Before signing to Paramount Pictures in the 1930s, Nussbaum had already changed his last name to Ankrum. Upon signing with the studio, he chose to use the name "Stephen Morris" before changing it to Morris Ankrum in 1939.[2]
Ankrum's stern visage and sharply defined features helped cast him in supporting roles as stalwart authority figures, including scientists, military men (particularly army officers), judges, and even psychiatrists in over seventy films, mostly B movies. His film career was extensive, spanning thirty years. His film credits were largely concentrated in the western and science fiction genres.
Ankrum appeared in such westerns as Ride 'Em Cowboy in 1942, Vera Cruz opposite Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster, Apache (1954), and Cattle Queen of Montana with Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald Reagan.
In the sci-fi genre, he appeared in Rocketship X-M; Red Planet Mars providing support to the film's deity-seeking scientist, Peter Graves in another government role as U.S. Secretary of Defense; the cult classic Invaders From Mars (1953), portraying a U.S. Army colonel out to save the Earth from the "Invaders"; and as an Air Force general in Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) alongside Hugh Marlowe and Joan Taylor. He played a psychiatrist in the cult sci-fi classic Kronos (1957). He also played a military officer in Beginning of the End (1957).
Later years
By the end of 1958, Ankrum's film career had essentially ended, though he continued taking television roles, appearing in several shows including: The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Dennis the Menace, Cheyene, and Rawhide. He also continued to make occasional uncredited appearances in several Roger Corman films.
During this time, he was also still involved in live theatre, and continued to direct plays at the Pasadena Playhouse.[1]
He and Joan Wheeler had a child, former actor David Ankrum, best known as Adam from Tabitha. David Ankrum eventually became a Hollywood agent. [1]
Death
On September 2, 1964, Ankrum died of trichinosis. At the time of his death, he had a recurring role as a judge on Perry Mason.[1]
Selected filmography
- Reunion in Vienna (1933)
- The Return of Hopalong Cassidy (1936)
- The Bandit Trail (1941)
- Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942)
- Roxie Hart (1942)
- Best Foot Forward (1943)
- The Thin Man Goes Home (1944)
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (Uncredited, 1946)
- The Mighty McGurk (1947)
- Joan of Arc (1948)
- We Were Strangers (1949)
- The Damned Don't Cry! (1950)
- Rocketship X-M (1950)
- Southside 1-1000 (1950)
- Flight to Mars (1951)
- My Favorite Spy (1951)
- Red Planet Mars (1952)
- Hiawatha (1952)
- Invaders From Mars (1953)
- Apache (1954)
- Silver Lode (1954)
- Cattle Queen of Montana (1954)
- Vera Cruz (1954)
- Taza, Son of Cochise (1954)
- Crashout (1955)
- Chief Crazy Horse (1955)
- Tennessee's Partner (1955)
- Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956)
- Death of a Scoundrel (1956)
- Kronos (1957)
- The Giant Claw (1957)
- Giant from the Unknown (1958)
- How to Make a Monster (1958)
- Tower of London (Uncredited, 1962)
- X (Uncredited, 1963)
Television
- Amos 'n' Andy (1 episode, 1951)
- The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1 episode, 1953)
- Cowboy G-Men (3 episodes, 1953)
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1 episode, 1955)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (3 episodes, 1953–1955)
- Four Star Playhouse (3 episodes, 1955–1956)
- Cavalcade of America (2 episodes, 1953–1956)
- Science Fiction Theatre (4 episodes, 1955–1956)
- You Are There (1 episode, 1956)
- The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1 episode, 1957)
- Lassie (1 episode, 1957)
- Maverick (2 episodes, 1957–1961)
- The Veil (1 episode, 1958)
- Mackenzie's Raiders (10 episodes, 1958)
- Sea Hunt (1 episode, 1958)
- The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (4 episodes, 1955–1958)
- Frontier Doctor (1 episode, 1959)
- Death Valley Days (1 episode, 1959)
- Tombstone Territory (2 episodes, 1957–1959)
- Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1960)
- Dennis the Menace (1 episode, 1960)
- Cheyene (4 episodes, 1956–1961)
- Rawhide (2 episodes, 1959–1961)
- The Rifleman (2 episodes, 1959–1961)
- Bronco (5 episodes, 1958–1961)
- Bonanza (1 episode, 1962)
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1 episode, 1964)
- Perry Mason (22 episodes, 1957–1964)
References
External links
- Morris Ankrum at the Internet Movie Database
- Morris Ankrum at AllRovi
- Morris Ankrum at the Internet Broadway Database
- Morris Ankrum at Find a Grave
Categories:- American film actors
- American radio actors
- American television actors
- Actors from Illinois
- University of Southern California alumni
- 1896 births
- 1964 deaths
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