Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889November 22, 1954) was an American actor.

Life and career

Olsen was born in

Ogden, Utah Ogden is a city in and the county seat of Weber County, Utah, United States, approximately east of the Great Salt Lake and north of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,321 in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau, making it Utah's eighth ...

Latter-day Saint Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into sev ...

parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha ( Hoverholst) Olsen, who named him after the Moroni found in the

Book of Mormon The Book of Mormon is a religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which, according to Latter Day Saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from 600 BC to AD 421 and during an interlude ...

. His father was Bishop of the Fourth Ward of Ogden. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of

Weber State University Weber State University (pronounced ) is a public university in Ogden, Utah. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. History Weber State University was founded ...

. He then went to study at the

University of Utah The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of De ...

, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the eastern United States around this time. In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from

Salt Lake City Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the capital and most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in Utah. With a population of 200,133 in 2020, th ...

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region o ...

. After working on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of ''The Three Musketeers''. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring

Don Ameche Don Ameche (; born Dominic Felix Amici; May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an American actor, comedian and vaudevillian. After playing in college shows, stock, and vaudeville, he became a major radio star in the early 1930s, which ...

D'Artagnan Charles de Batz de Castelmore (), also known as d'Artagnan and later Count d'Artagnan ( 1611 – 25 June 1673), was a French Musketeer who served Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard. He died at the siege of Maastricht in the ...

and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor. He appeared in scores of films during his career. His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in

Walt Disney Walter Elias Disney (; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film p ...

's ''

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is a 19th-century German fairy tale that is today known widely across the Western world. The Brothers Grimm published it in 1812 in the first edition of their collection '' Grimms' Fairy Tales'' and numbered as ...

'' (1937). Olsen provided the voice of the senior angel in '' It's a Wonderful Life''. His roles before the camera include a Secret Service officer in

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

's 1946 film '' Notorious'' and the father-in-law of

Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a British-American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. ...

in the film comedies '' Father of the Bride'' (1950) and '' Father's Little Dividend'' (1951). Olsen was an active member of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...

, being a teacher of youth in the Hollywood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgrimage Play of Hollywood for several years. Olsen died on November 22, 1954, of a heart attack at the age of 65. He is buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.

Broadway roles

* '' Mary of Scotland'' (1933) as

John Knox John Knox ( gd, Iain Cnocc) (born – 24 November 1572) was a Scottish minister, Reformed theologian, and writer who was a leader of the country's Reformation. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Born in Giffordgat ...

Selected filmography

*''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...

'' (1935) as Porthos *'' Annie Oakley'' (1935) as William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody *''

Seven Keys to Baldpate Seven Keys to Baldpate may refer to: * '' Seven Keys to Baldpate'', a novel by Earl Derr Biggers * ''Seven Keys to Baldpate'' (play), a 1913 play by George M. Cohan based on the novel * ''Seven Keys to Baldpate'' (1916 film), a 1916 Australian si ...

'' (1935) as Mayor Jim Cargan *'' We're Only Human'' (1935) as Inspector J.R. Curran *'' Yellow Dust'' (1936) as Missouri *'' The Farmer in the Dell'' (1936) as Chester Hart *'' Two in Revolt'' (1936) as Cyrus Benton *'' The Witness Chair'' (1936) as Lieutenant Poole *'' M'Liss'' (1936) as Jake *'' Mary of Scotland'' (1936) as John Knox *''

Grand Jury A grand jury is a jury—a group of citizens—empowered by law to conduct legal proceedings, investigate potential criminal conduct, and determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may subpoena physical evidence or a p ...

'' (1936) as Davis, Taylor's Bodyguard *''

Mummy's Boys ''Mummy's Boys'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Fred Guiol and written by Jack Townley, Philip G. Epstein and Charles E. Roberts. The film stars Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Barbara Pepper, Moroni Olsen, Frank M. Thomas and Will ...

'' (1936) as Dr. Edward Sterling *''

The Plough and the Stars ''The Plough and the Stars'' is a four-act play by the Irish writer Seán O'Casey that was first performed on 8 February 1926 at the Abbey Theatre. It is set in Dublin and addresses the 1916 Easter Rising. The play's title references the Sta ...

'' (1936) as Irish Leader *'' The Soldier and the Lady'' (1937) as Tartar Chief (voice, uncredited) *''

The Life of Emile Zola ''The Life of Emile Zola'' is a 1937 American biographical film about the 19th-century French author Émile Zola starring Paul Muni and directed by William Dieterle. It premiered at the Los Angeles Carthay Circle Theatre to great critical and ...

'' (1937) as Capt. Guignet (uncredited) *'' The Last Gangster'' (1937) as Detective Danny Shea (uncredited) *''

Manhattan Merry-Go-Round ''Manhattan Merry-Go-Round'' is an NBC musical variety radio program that was broadcast from November 6, 1932, until April 17, 1949. The musical revue was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert. Sponsored by Dr. Lyons Tooth Powder, the radio series ...

'' (1937) as Jonathan (uncredited) *''

Adventure's End ''Adventure's End'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Wayne and Diana Gibson. It was distributed by Universal Pictures.Zmijewsky, Steve; Ricci, Mark (1970). "The Complete Films of John Wayne". Citadel P ...

'' (1937) as First Mate Rand Husk *''

'' (1937) as Magic Mirror (voice, uncredited) *'' Gold Is Where You Find It'' (1938) as Senator Hearst *''

Kidnapped Kidnapped may refer to: * subject to the crime of kidnapping Literature * ''Kidnapped'' (novel), an 1886 novel by Robert Louis Stevenson * ''Kidnapped'' (comics), a 2007 graphic novel adaptation of R. L. Stevenson's novel by Alan Grant and Cam ...

'' (1938) as Douglas *''

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child a ...

'' (1938) as Bearded Leader of the People (uncredited) *'' That Certain Age'' (1938) as Fullerton's Associate (uncredited) *'' There Goes My Heart'' (1938) as Fisherman (uncredited) *'' Submarine Patrol'' (1938) as The Fleet Captain *''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

'' (1938) as John Dillon – 1938 *'' Homicide Bureau'' (1939) as Capt. Haines *'' Off the Record'' (1939) as Juvenal Court Judge *''

'' (1939) as Bailiff *'' Rose of Washington Square'' (1939) as Major Buck Russell *''Sons of Liberty'' (1939, Short) as Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance (uncredited) *'' Code of the Secret Service'' (1939) as The Friar *'' Susannah of the Mounties'' (1939) as Supt. Andrew Standing *''

Dust Be My Destiny ''Dust Be My Destiny'' is a 1939 American drama film starring John Garfield as a man who gets into trouble after being sentenced to a work farm. Plot Joe Bell (John Garfield) becomes embittered after he is jailed for 16 months for burglary . Late ...

'' (1939) as Slim Jones – Defense Attorney *'' Allegheny Uprising'' (1939) as Calhoon *'' That's Right—You're Wrong'' (1939) as Jonathan Forbes *''

Barricade Barricade (from the French ''barrique'' - 'barrel') is any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the desired direction. Adopted as a military term, a barricade denot ...

'' (1939) as Shanghai Managing Editor *'' Invisible Stripes'' (1939) as The Warden *'' Brother Rat and a Baby'' (1940) as Maj. Terry *'' Virginia City'' (1940) as Dr. Robert Cameron *'' If I Had My Way'' (1940) as Mr. Blair *''

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...

'' (1940) as Doc Richards *'' East of the River'' (1940) as Judge R.D. Davis *'' Life with Henry'' (1940) as Sylvanus Q. Sattherwaite *''

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, ...

'' (1940) as

Robert E. Lee Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, towards the end of which he was appointed the overall commander of the Confederate States Army. He led the Army of Nor ...

*'' Three Sons o' Guns'' (1941) as Philip Talbot *''

Dive Bomber A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target simplifies the bomb's trajectory and allows the pilot to keep visual contact through ...

'' (1941) as Senior Surgeon at San Diego *''

One Foot in Heaven ''One Foot in Heaven'' is a 1941 American biographical film starring Fredric March, Martha Scott, Beulah Bondi, Gene Lockhart and Elisabeth Fraser. The film was adapted by Casey Robinson from the autobiography by Hartzell Spence. It was directed ...

'' (1941) as Dr. John Romer *'' Dangerously They Live'' (1941) as Mr. Goodwin *''

Nazi Agent ''Nazi Agent'' is a 1942 American spy film directed by Jules Dassin, in his first feature-length film for MGM. It stars Conrad Veidt playing identical twins, one loyal to the United States (U.S.), the other a dedicated German Nazi. Plot The U.S ...

'' (1942) as Brenner *'' Sundown Jim'' (1942) as Andrew Barr *''

Ship Ahoy ''Ship Ahoy'' is a 1942 American musical-comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Eleanor Powell and Red Skelton. It was produced by MGM. Background ''Ship Ahoy'' was the first of two films in which Powell and Skelton co-starred. It ...

'' (1942) as Inspector Davis (uncredited) *'' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) as Major Allen *''

The Glass Key ''The Glass Key'' is a novel by American writer Dashiell Hammett. First published as a serial in '' Black Mask'' magazine in 1930, it then was collected in 1931 (in London; the American edition followed 3 months later). It tells the story of a ga ...

'' (1942) as Ralph Henry *'' Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch'' (1942) as Dr. Olcott *''

Reunion in France ''Reunion in France'' is a 1942 American war film distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Joan Crawford, John Wayne, and Philip Dorn in a story about a woman in occupied France who, learning her well-heeled lover has German connections, aids ...

'' (1942) as Paul Grebeau *''

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...

'' (1943) as Col. Blake *''

Mission to Moscow ''Mission to Moscow'' is a 1943 film directed by Michael Curtiz, based on the 1941 book by the former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, Joseph E. Davies. The movie chronicles the experiences of the second American ambassador to the Soviet ...

'' (1943) as Col. Faymonville *''

We've Never Been Licked ''We've Never Been Licked'' (or ''Texas Aggies'', ''Texas to Tokyo'', and ''Fighting Command'') is a 1943 World War II propaganda film produced by Walter Wanger and released by Universal Pictures. Released in the UK under the title, ''Texas to To ...

'' (1943) as Commandant *''

Madame Curie Marie Salomea Skłodowska–Curie ( , , ; born Maria Salomea Skłodowska, ; 7 November 1867 – 4 July 1934) was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first ...

'' (1943) as President of Businessman's Board (uncredited) *'' The Song of Bernadette'' (1943) as Chaplain (uncredited) *''

Buffalo Bill William Frederick Cody (February 26, 1846January 10, 1917), known as "Buffalo Bill", was an American soldier, Bison hunting, bison hunter, and showman. He was born in Le Claire, Iowa, Le Claire, Iowa Territory (now the U.S. state of Iowa), but ...

'' (1944) as Sen. Frederici *''

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" ( ar, علي بابا والأربعون لصا) is a folk tale from the ''One Thousand and One Nights''. It was added to the collection in the 18th century by its French translator Antoine Galland, who heard ...

'' (1944) as Caliph Hassan *''

Cobra Woman ''Cobra Woman'' is a 1944 American South Seas adventure film from Universal Pictures, directed by Robert Siodmak that stars Maria Montez, Jon Hall, and Sabu. Shot in Technicolor, this film is typical of Montez's career at Universal, and, altho ...

'' (1944) as MacDonald *'' Roger Touhy, Gangster'' (1944) as Riley *''

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo ''Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo'' is a 1944 American war film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay by Dalton Trumbo is based on the 1943 book of the same name by Captain Ted W. Lawson. Lawson was a pilot on the historic Doolittle Raid, A ...

'' (1944) as General (uncredited) *''

The Valley of Decision ''The Valley of Decision'' is a 1945 film directed by Tay Garnett, based on Marcia Davenport's 1942 novel of the same name. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1870s, it stars Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. It tells the story of a young Iri ...

'' (1945) as Richard Kane (uncredited) *''

Pride of the Marines ''Pride of the Marines'' is a 1945 American biographical war film starring John Garfield and Eleanor Parker. It tells the story of U.S. Marine Al Schmid in World War II, his heroic stand against a Japanese attack during the Battle of Guadalc ...

'' (1945) as Capt. Burroughs *''

Behind City Lights ''Behind City Lights'' is a 1945 American crime film directed by John English (director), John English and written by Richard Weil and Gertrude Walker. The film stars Lynne Roberts, Peter Cookson, Jerome Cowan, Esther Dale, William Terry and Vi ...

'' (1945) as Curtis Holbrook *''

Mildred Pierce ''Mildred Pierce'' is a psychological drama by James M. Cain published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1941. A story of “social inequity and opportunity in America" set during the Great Depression, ''Mildred Pierce'' follows the trajectory of a lower- ...

'' (1945) as Inspector Peterson *''

Week-End at the Waldorf ''Week-End at the Waldorf'', an American comedy drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, and Van Johnson. It premiered in Los Angeles on 17 October 1945. The screenplay by Samuel and Bella ...

'' (1945) as House Detective Blake *'' Don't Fence Me In'' (1945) as Henry Bennett, aka Harry Benson *''

From This Day Forward ''From This Day Forward'' is a 1946 American drama film directed by John Berry, starring Joan Fontaine and Mark Stevens. Plot Army sergeant Bill Cummings ( Mark Stevens) is about to be discharged after service in World War II. He was a blue co ...

'' (1946) as Tim Bagley (uncredited) *'' Night in Paradise'' (1946) as High Priest *'' The Walls Came Tumbling Down'' (1946) as Bishop Martin *''

Boys' Ranch ''Boys' Ranch'' was a six-issue American comic book series created by the veteran writer-artist team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby for Harvey Comics in 1950. A Western in the then-prevalent "kid gang" vein popularized by such film series as "Our ...

'' (1946) as Judge Henderson *'' Notorious'' (1946) as Walter Beardsley *'' The Strange Woman'' (1946) as Rev. Thatcher *'' It's a Wonderful Life'' (1946) as Senior Angel (voice, uncredited) *''

The Beginning or the End ''The Beginning or the End'' is a 1947 American docudrama film about the development of the atomic bomb in World War II, directed by Norman Taurog, starring Brian Donlevy, Robert Walker, and Tom Drake, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. T ...

'' (1947) as Dr. Arthur H. Compton *'' The Long Night'' (1947) as Chief of Police Bob McManus *''

Possessed Possessed may refer to: Possession * Possession (disambiguation), having some degree of control over something else ** Spirit possession, whereby gods, demons, animas, or other disincarnate entities may temporarily take control of a human body *** ...

'' (1947) as Dr. Ames *''

Life with Father ''Life with Father'' is a 1939 play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, adapted from a humorous autobiographical book of stories compiled in 1935 by Clarence Day. The Broadway production ran for 3,224 performances over 401 weeks to become the l ...

'' (1947) as Dr. Humphries *'' Black Gold'' (1947) as Don Toland *''

That Hagen Girl ''That Hagen Girl'' is a 1947 American drama film directed by Peter Godfrey. The screenplay by Charles Hoffman was based on the novel by Edith Kneipple Roberts. The film focuses on small-town teenaged girl Mary Hagen (Shirley Temple), whom gos ...

'' (1947) as Trenton Gateley *'' High Wall'' (1947) as Dr. Philip Dunlap *''

Call Northside 777 ''Call Northside 777'' is a 1948 reality-based newspaper drama directed by Henry Hathaway. The film parallels the true story of a Chicago reporter who proved that a man jailed for murder was wrongly convicted 11 years before. James Stewart stars ...

'' (1948) as Parole Board Chairman *''

Up in Central Park ''Up in Central Park'' is a Broadway musical with a book by Herbert Fields and Dorothy Fields, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and music by Sigmund Romberg. The musical, originally called "Central Park" before Broadway (see image of sheet music), was Ro ...

'' (1948) as Big Jim Fitts *'' Command Decision'' (1948) as Congressman Stone *''

The Fountainhead ''The Fountainhead'' is a 1943 novel by Russian-American author Ayn Rand, her first major literary success. The novel's protagonist, Howard Roark, is an intransigent young architect, who battles against conventional standards and refuses to com ...

'' (1949) as Chairman *'' Task Force'' (1949) as Adm. Ames *''

Samson and Delilah Samson and Delilah are Biblical figures. Samson and Delilah may also refer to: In music * ''Samson and Delilah'' (opera), an opera by Camille Saint-Saëns * ''Samson & Delilah'' (album), released in 2013 by V V Brown * "Samson and Delilah" (t ...

'' (1949) as Targil *'' Father of the Bride'' (1950) as Herbert Dunstan *''

Payment on Demand ''Payment on Demand'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Curtis Bernhardt and starring Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan. The screenplay by Bernhardt and Bruce Manning chronicles a marriage from its idealistic early days to its dissolution. P ...

'' (1951) as Arnold Barton (uncredited) *'' Father's Little Dividend'' (1951) as Herbert Dunstan *'' No Questions Asked'' (1951) as Henry Manston *'' Submarine Command'' (1951) as Rear Adm. Joshua Rice *'' Lone Star'' (1952) as Sam Houston *''

At Sword's Point ''At Sword's Point'', also known as ''The Sons of the Three Musketeers'', is a 1952 American historical action adventure film directed by Lewis Allen and starring Cornel Wilde and Maureen O'Hara. It was shot in Technicolor by RKO Radio Pictur ...

'' (1952) as Porthos *''

Washington Story ''Washington Story'' is a 1952 American drama film directed by Robert Pirosh and starring Van Johnson and Patricia Neal. The screenplay concerns a reporter in search of government corruption who falls for a congressman. Plot On her first trip to ...

'' (1952) as Speaker of the House *'' So This Is Love'' (1953) as Arnold Reuben (uncredited) *''

Marry Me Again ''Marry Me Again'' is a 1953 comedy film written and directed by Frank Tashlin. It stars Robert Cummings and Marie Wilson. Plot Bill has an unusual dilemma when he returns home from the war in Korea, where he had been a pilot. Out of pride, he ...

'' (1953) as Mr. Courtney *''

The Long, Long Trailer ''The Long, Long Trailer'' is a 1954 American Anscocolor road comedy film based on a novel of the same name written by Clinton Twiss in 1951 about a couple who buy a new travel trailer home and spend a year traveling across the United States.''V ...

'' (1954) as Mr. Tewitt *''

Sign of the Pagan ''Sign of the Pagan'' is a 1954 American historical drama film directed by Douglas Sirk, shot in CinemaScope (color by Technicolor), and released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Jeff Chandler, Jack Palance, Ludmilla Tchérina, and Rita ...

'' (1954) as Pope Leo I

References

External links

*
Moroni Olsen
at

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie channel, movie-oriented pay television, pay-TV television network, network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasti ...

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Olsen, Moroni 1889 births 1954 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male stage actors Latter Day Saints from California Latter Day Saints from Utah Male Western (genre) film actors Male actors from Utah People from Ogden, Utah University of Utah alumni Weber State University alumni