Clinton Charles Sundberg (December 7, 1903 (some sources say 1906) – December 14, 1987) was an American character actor in film and stage.

Early years

Sundberg was born in

Appleton, Minnesota Appleton is a city in Swift County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was 1,412 at the 2010 census. The town is home to a vacant medium-security prison, the Prairie Correctional Facility, which is wholly owned and operated by Correctio ...

. He graduated from

Hamline University Hamline University is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1854, Hamline is known for its emphasis on experiential learning, service, and social justice. The university is named after Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline o ...

in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was active in drama, president of his fraternity, and captain of the tennis team.

Career

Sundberg left teaching English literature for acting, appearing in plays in stock theater in New England. He appeared in a number of

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 Stree ...

plays, debuting in ''Nine Pine Street'' (1933). His most notable roles were Mr. Kraler in the original 1957 production of ''

The Diary of Anne Frank ''The Diary of a Young Girl'', also known as ''The Diary of Anne Frank'', is a book of the writings from the Dutch-language diary kept by Anne Frank while she was in hiding for two years with her family during the Nazi occupation of the Netherl ...

'' and Mortimer Brewster (as a replacement) in the 1944 '' Arsenic and Old Lace''. He became a contract player at

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...

where he appeared in numerous supporting roles in films of the late 1940s and early 1950s. He played Mike, the bartender who listens to

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

's character's troubles in '' Easter Parade''. In the 1949 film ''

In the Good Old Summertime ''In the Good Old Summertime'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. It stars Judy Garland, Van Johnson, S.Z. Sakall, Spring Byington, Clinton Sundberg, and Buster Keaton in his first featured film role at M ...

,'' which also starred Garland and

Van Johnson Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II. Johnson was described as the embodiment o ...

, he played a friendly co-worker and confidante of Johnson's character. He also played the hotel owner who hired

Annie Oakley Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Oakley developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoverished family in western ...

to enter the shooting contest against Frank Butler in '' Annie Get Your Gun''. He later made several television appearances, including two episodes of ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a c ...

'': "The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito" in 1963 and "The Case of the Scarlet Scandal" in 1966. He also appeared in several television commercials. In 1957, Sundberg appeared in a TV episode of Have Gun - Will Travel, ''The Englishman''. In 1962, Sundberg was cast in the lead guest-starring role of Luther Boardman, a naive but troublesome newspaper publisher who comes to Laramie,

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

, to capture the story of "real West" gunfighters in "The Man Behind the News", one of the last episodes of the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American Film studio, film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, Califo ...

western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

series, '' Lawman'', which starred John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop.

Hal Baylor Hal Harvey Fieberling (born Hal David Britton); December 10, 1918 – January 15, 1998 known professionally as Hal Baylor, was an American actor, probably best known for his role as Pvt. 'Sky' Choynski in the film ''Sands of Iwo Jima''. In 1 ...

appears in the episode as gunfighter Mort Peters, whom Boardman (Sundberg) goads into a shootout with Troop.

Partial filmography

*'' Undercurrent'' (1946) – Mr. Warmsley *''

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy ''Love Laughs at Andy Hardy'' is a 1946 American film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Willis Goldbeck and starring Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone. The film is also known under its American promotional title ''Uncle Andy Hardy''. Th ...

'' (1946) – Haberdashery Clerk *''

The Mighty McGurk ''The Mighty McGurk'' is a 1947 American sports, drama, action, adventure, melodrama film starring Wallace Beery as a boozing ex-boxer brawling as a bouncer in a Bowery saloon. Plot Roy "Slag" McGurk (Wallace Beery), the former heavyweight boxing ...

'' (1947) – Flexter *''

Undercover Maisie ''Undercover Maisie'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Ann Sothern, Barry Nelson, and Mark Daniels. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the final film of the ten film Maisie series starring Ann Sothern ...

'' (1947) – Guy Canford *''

Living in a Big Way ''Living in a Big Way'' (1947) is an American musical comedy film starring Gene Kelly and Marie McDonald as a couple who marry during World War II after only knowing each other a short time. This was director Gregory La Cava's final film. P ...

'' (1947) – Everett Hanover Smythe *''

The Hucksters ''The Hucksters'' is a 1947 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film directed by Jack Conway starring Clark Gable and Deborah Kerr, her debut in an American film. The supporting cast includes Sydney Greenstreet, Adolphe Menjou, Ava Gardner, Keenan Wynn, and ...

'' (1947) – Michael Michaelson *''

Song of the Thin Man ''Song of the Thin Man'' is a 1947 murder mystery-comedy directed by Edward Buzzell. The sixth and final film in MGM's '' Thin Man'' series, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, characters created by Dashiell Hammett ...

'' (1947) – Mr. Purdy – Hotel Vesta Desk Clerk (uncredited) *''

Song of Love Song of Love may refer to: * Song of love or love song, a song about falling in love * ''The Song of Love'' (1923 film) * ''Song of Love'' (1929 film), a film starring Belle Baker and Ralph Graves * ''The Song of Love'' (1930 film) * ''Song of ...

'' (1947) – Dr. Richarz (uncredited) *''

Desire Me ''Desire Me'' is a 1947 American drama film starring Robert Mitchum and Greer Garson. It had a troubled production that included numerous directors and rewrites, and was ultimately released without a credited director. Plot In Paris, Marise Au ...

'' (1947) – Salesman (scenes deleted) *'' Good News'' (1947) – Prof. Burton Kennyon *'' The Bride Goes Wild'' (1948) – Dentist (uncredited) *'' Easter Parade'' (1948) – Mike the Bartender *''

A Date with Judy ''A Date with Judy'' is a comedy radio series aimed at a teenage audience which ran from 1941 to 1950. The series was co-created by Jerome Lawrence and Aleen Leslie, and based on Leslie's “One Girl Chorus” column in the Pittsburgh Press. La ...

'' (1948) – Jameson *''

Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid ''Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid'' is a 1948 American romantic fantasy film directed by Irving Pichel starring William Powell and Ann Blyth in the title roles. The film was based on the 1945 novel ''Peabody's Mermaid'' by Guy and Constance Jones. ...

'' (1948) – Mike Fitzgerald *'' Good Sam'' (1948) – Nelson *'' The Kissing Bandit'' (1948) – Colonel Gomez *'' Words and Music'' (1948) – Shoe Clerk *'' Command Decision'' (1948) – Major Homer V. Prescott *'' Big Jack'' (1949) – C. Petronius Smith *''

The Stratton Story ''The Stratton Story'' is a 1949 American biographical film directed by Sam Wood that tells the true story of Monty Stratton, a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for the Chicago White Sox from 1934 to 1938. The film is the first of thre ...

'' (1949) – Man on Radio Baking Pie (voice, uncredited) *''

The Barkleys of Broadway ''The Barkleys of Broadway'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical comedy film from the Arthur Freed unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer that reunited Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers after ten years apart. Directed by Charles Walters, the screenplay is ...

'' (1949) – Bert Felsher *''

'' (1949) – Rudy Hansen *''

Key to the City The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected ...

'' (1950) – Clerk *''

Father Is a Bachelor ''Father Is a Bachelor'' is a 1950 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and Norman Foster. It stars William Holden and Coleen Gray. Plot Carefree vagabond Johnny Rutledge is stuck in a small town when his medicine show ...

'' (1950) – Plato Cassin *'' Annie Get Your Gun'' (1950) – Foster Wilson *''

Duchess of Idaho Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ranke ...

'' (1950) – Matson *''

The Toast of New Orleans ''The Toast of New Orleans'' is a 1950 MGM musical film directed by Norman Taurog and choreographed by Eugene Loring. It stars Mario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson, David Niven, J. Carrol Naish, James Mitchell and Rita Moreno. The film was made af ...

'' (1950) – Oscar *'' Two Weeks with Love'' (1950) – Mr. Finlay *''

Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone ''Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone'' is a 1950 comedy/murder mystery film set on board a train. It stars Marjorie Main and James Whitmore. It is based on the short story "Once Upon a Train (The Loco Motive)" by Stuart Palmer and Craig Rice. Plot M ...

'' (1950) – Donald – Steve's Bookie *''

On the Riviera ''On the Riviera'' is a 1951 Technicolor musical comedy film made by 20th Century Fox. Directed by Walter Lang and produced by Sol C. Siegel from a screenplay by Valentine Davies and Phoebe and Henry Ephron, it is the studio's fourth film base ...

'' (1951) – Antoine *'' The Fat Man'' (1951) – Bill Norton *''

As Young as You Feel ''As Young as You Feel'' is a 1951 American comedy film starring Monty Woolley, Thelma Ritter, and David Wayne, with Marilyn Monroe in a small role. It was directed by Harmon Jones. Plot When printer John R. Hodges is forced to retire at age 65 ...

'' (1951) – Frank Erickson *''

Take Care of My Little Girl ''Take Care of My Little Girl'' is a 1951 drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Jeanne Crain, Dale Robertson, Mitzi Gaynor and Jean Peters. The film, shot in Technicolor, is based on the 1950 novel of the same name written by Peggy ...

'' (1951) – Fraternity Dance Guest (uncredited) *'' The Belle of New York'' (1952) – Gilford Spivak *'' The Girl Next Door'' (1953) – Samuels the butler *'' Sweethearts on Parade'' (1953) – Dr. Harold Wayne *''

The Caddy ''The Caddy'' is a 1953 American semi- musical-comedy- sports film starring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis. It is noteworthy for Dean Martin introducing the hit song "That's Amore". Plot Harvey Miller, whose father was a famous golf pro, is ...

'' (1953) – Charles – the Butler *''

Main Street to Broadway ''Main Street to Broadway'' is a 1953 American romantic musical comedy-drama film by independent producer Lester Cowan, his final credit, in collaboration with The Council of the Living Theatre, which provided tie-up with a number of well-known ...

'' (1953) – The Father – Mr. Harry Craig *''

The Birds and the Bees The talk about sex, often colloquially referred to as "the birds and the bees" or "the facts of life", is generally the occasion in most children's lives when their parents explain what sex is and how to do it. According to tradition, "the bird ...

'' (1956) – Purser *'' Bachelor in Paradise'' (1961) – Rodney Jones *''

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm ''The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm'' is a 1962 American fantasy film directed by Henry Levin and George Pal. The latter was the producer and also in charge of the stop motion animation. The film was one of the highest-grossing films of ...

'' (1962) – The Prime Minister ('The Dancing Princess') / Hans ('The Singing Bone') (singing voice) *'' How the West Was Won'' (1962) – Hylan Seabury (uncredited) *''

Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a ref ...

'' (1967) – Lawrence Morgan *''

A Snow White Christmas ''A Snow White Christmas'' is a Christmas animated television special produced by Filmation and telecast December 19, 1980, on CBS. The special is a sequel to the fairy tale "Snow White", unrelated to Filmation's other sequel to "Snow White" title ...

'' (1980) – Thinker (voice) *'' The Princess and the Cobbler'' (1993) – Dying Soldier (voice) (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sundberg, Clinton 1900s births 1987 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male stage actors Male actors from Minnesota Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players People from Appleton, Minnesota