Morris Ankrum (born Morris Nussbaum; August 28, 1897 – September 2, 1964) was an American radio, television, and film

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

Early life

Born in Danville in Vermilion County in eastern

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rock ...

, Ankrum originally began a career in academics. After graduating from The University of Southern California with a law degree, he went on to an associate professorship in

economics Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics anal ...

at the

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California) is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868 as the University of California, it is the state's first land-grant un ...

. While at Berkeley he became involved in the drama department and eventually began teaching

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

and directing at the Pasadena Playhouse. From 1923 to 1939 he acted in several Broadway stage productions, including '' Gods of the Lightning'', ''The Big Blow'', and ''Within the Gates''.

Film career

Before signing with

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

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. Ankrum was cast in supporting roles as stalwart authority figures, including scientists, military men (particularly army officers), judges, trail hands, bankers, and even psychiatrists in more than 270 films and television episodes. His parts included villainous roles in Paramount's

Hopalong Cassidy Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by the author Clarence E. Mulford, who wrote a series of short stories and novels based on the character. Mulford portrayed the character as rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. He wa ...

film series. Ankrum was in

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 ...

's production of

Tennessee Johnson ''Tennessee Johnson'' is a 1942 American film about Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by William Dieterle and written by Milton Gunzburg, Alvin Meyers, John Balderston, and We ...

(1942), a biographical film about

Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808July 31, 1875) was the 17th president of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. He assumed the presidency as he was vice president at the time of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson was a De ...

, the 17th U.S. president. As Sen.

Jefferson Davis Jefferson F. Davis (June 3, 1808December 6, 1889) was an American politician who served as the president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. He represented Mississippi in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives as ...

, Ankrum addresses the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and po ...

upon his resignation to lead the

Confederate States of America The Confederate States of America (CSA), commonly referred to as the Confederate States or the Confederacy was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the Southern United States that existed from February 8, 1861, to May 9, 1865. The Confeder ...

as that republic's first—and only—president. Ankrum's film career spanned 30 years. His credits were largely concentrated in the western and

science-fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

genres. Ankrum appeared in such westerns as '' Ride 'Em Cowboy'' in 1942, '' Vera Cruz'' opposite

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...

and

Burt Lancaster Burton Stephen Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994) was an American actor and producer. Initially known for playing tough guys with a tender heart, he went on to achieve success with more complex and challenging roles over a 45-yea ...

, ''

Apache The Apache () are a group of culturally related Native American tribes in the Southwestern United States, which include the Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Mimbreño, Ndendahe (Bedonkohe or Mogollon and Nednhi or Carrizaleño a ...

'' (1954), and '' Cattle Queen of Montana'' with

Barbara Stanwyck Barbara Stanwyck (; born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer. A stage, film, and television star, during her 60-year professional career she was known for her strong, realistic sc ...

and

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

. In the science fiction genre, he appeared in '' Rocketship X-M'' (1950); as a Martian leader in '' Flight to Mars'' (1951); in '' Red Planet Mars'' (1952), playing the

United States Secretary of Defense The United States secretary of defense (SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces, and is a high ranking member of the federal cabinet. DoDD 5100.1: Enclosure 2: a The se ...

; in the cult classic '' Invaders From Mars'' (1953), playing a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...

general; and as another Army general in ''

Earth vs. the Flying Saucers ''Earth vs. the Flying Saucers'' (a.k.a. ''Invasion of the Flying Saucers'' and ''Flying Saucers from Outer Space'') is a 1956 American science fiction film from Columbia Pictures. It was produced by Charles H. Schneer, directed by Fred F. Sears ...

'' (1956); as a psychiatrist in the cult classic '' Kronos'' (1957); and other military-officer roles in '' Beginning of the End'' (1957) and '' The Giant Claw'' (1957).

Later years

By the end of 1958 Ankrum's film career had essentially ended, though he continued taking television roles. In the syndicated series '' Stories of the Century'' Ankrum played outlaw Chris Evans, who with his young associate

John Sontag John Sontag (May 27, 1861 – July 3, 1893) was an outlaw of the American West known for train robberies. Background John Sontag was the oldest son of Maria (Bohn) and Jacob Contant of Mankato, Minnesota. After the death of his father in 1867, hi ...

, played by John Smith, turned to crime to thwart the

Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific (or Espee from the railroad initials- SP) was an American Class I railroad network that existed from 1865 to 1996 and operated largely in the Western United States. The system was operated by various companies under the ...

, which Evans and Sontag held in contempt. Ankrum made 22 appearances on CBS's '' Perry Mason'' as one of several judges who regularly presided over the murder trials of Mason's clients from the show's first season in 1957 until his death in 1964. The show ended two years later. Ankrum appeared in western series such as '' The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin'', '' Bronco'', ''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bure ...

'', '' Tales of the Texas Rangers'', '' Cimarron City'', '' Rawhide'' and ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The sho ...

''. Ankrum appeared in a number of ABC/

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

westerns. On October 15, 1957, he had a major part in the episode "Strange Land" of the series '' Sugarfoot'', starring Will Hutchins. Ankrum played an embittered rancher named Cash Billings, who allows hired gunman Burr Fulton (

Rhodes Reason Rhodes Reason (April 19, 1930 – December 26, 2014) was an American actor who appeared in more than 200 roles in television, film, and stage. Film and television career Reason was born in Glendale in Los Angeles County, California, the so ...

) to take over his spread, but Sugarfoot arrives to bring law and justice to the situation. Ankrum appeared again, as John Savage, in 1959 in the ''Sugarfoot'' episode "The Wild Bunch". The same year, he portrayed a zealot who abused his daughter, played by Sherry Jackson, in the episode "The Naked Gallows" of the western

with Jack Kelly and Mike Connors. In 1961, he again played embittered, and this time paralyzed, rancher Cyrus Dawson in the episode "Incident at Dawson Flats" of the western series ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...

''. In the 1958–59 season Ankrum appeared 12 times in Richard Carlson's syndicated western series '' Mackenzie's Raiders''. In the series set on the

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

border, Carlson plays Col.

Ranald Mackenzie Ranald Slidell Mackenzie, also called Bad Hand, (July 27, 1840 – January 19, 1889) was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was described by General Ulysses S. Grant as it ...

, who faces troubles from assorted border

outlaw An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill th ...

s. Ankrum was cast in an episode of the 1959 CBS

sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ...

'' Dennis the Menace''. He also made occasional uncredited appearances in several Roger Corman films. While busy in films and television, Ankrum was still involved in live theatre and continued to direct plays at the Pasadena Playhouse. He and his second wife, Joan Wheeler (married aka Joan Ankrum), had a child, David Ankrum, best known as Adam from ''Tabitha''. David Ankrum eventually became a

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

agent. Joan Ankrum, of Joan Ankrum Galleries, became a prominent Los Angeles art dealer with a gallery on La Cienega Boulevard

Death

On September 2, 1964, Ankrum died of trichinosis. At the time of his death, he was still involved with

Raymond Burr Raymond William Stacy Burr (May 21, 1917September 12, 1993) was a Canadian actor known for his lengthy Hollywood film career and his title roles in television dramas '' Perry Mason'' and '' Ironside''. Burr's early acting career included roles ...

's ''Perry Mason'' TV series. His final appearance on ''Perry Mason'', in the episode "The Case of the Sleepy Slayer", and his last

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

, ''

Guns of Diablo ''Guns of Diablo'' is a Metrocolor 1965 Western film directed by Boris Sagal and produced by Boris Ingster, starring Charles Bronson, Susan Oliver and Kurt Russell. It follows a wagon train master, who runs into difficulties when he meets old g ...

'', in which he was cast as Ray Macklin, were released in 1964 and 1965, respectively, following Ankrum's death. Ankrum is interred at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, Illinois.

Selected filmography

*''Reunion in Vienna'' (1933) as Musician (uncredited) *'' Stand Up and Cheer!'' (1934) as Washington Press Correspondent (uncredited) *''The Return of Hopalong Cassidy'' (1936) as Blackie *'' Trail Dust'' (1936) as Tex Anderson *'' Borderland'' (1937) as Loco *''

Hills of Old Wyoming ''Hills of Old Wyoming'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Nate Watt and written by Maurice Geraghty, the 10th film of the 66 Hopalong Cassidy movies. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Morris Ankrum, Russell Hayd ...

'' (1937) as Andrews *'' North of the Rio Grande'' (1937) as Henry Stoneham *''

Rustlers' Valley ''Rustlers' Valley'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Nate Watt and written by Harry O. Hoyt. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, Morris Ankrum, Muriel Evans and Lee J. Cobb. The film was released on J ...

'' (1937) as Glen Randall *'' Knights of the Range'' (1940) as Gamecock *'' The Showdown'' (1940) as Baron Rendor *'' Light of the Western Stars'' (1940) as Nat Hayworth *'' Buck Benny Rides Again'' (1940) as Second Outlaw *''

Cherokee Strip The Cherokee Outlet, or Cherokee Strip, was located in what is now the state of Oklahoma in the United States. It was a 60-mile-wide (97 km) parcel of land south of the Oklahoma-Kansas border between 96 and 100°W. The Cherokee Outlet wa ...

'' (1940) as Hawk Barrett *''

Three Men from Texas ''Three Men from Texas'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander, written by Norton S. Parker, and starring William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Andy Clyde, Morris Ankrum, Morgan Wallace, Thornton Edwards and Esther Estrella. It ...

'' (1940) as Bruce Morgan *'' Doomed Caravan'' (1941) as Stephen Westcott *''

Cheers for Miss Bishop ''Cheers for Miss Bishop'' is a 1941 American drama film based on the novel ''Miss Bishop'' by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It was directed by Tay Garnett and stars Martha Scott in the title role. The other cast members include William Gargan, Edmund ...

'' (1941) as Professor at Minna's Hearing (uncredited) *'' The Roundup'' (1941) as 'Parenthesis' *'' In Old Colorado'' (1941) as Joe Weiler *'' Border Vigilantes'' (1941) as Dan Forbes *''

Pirates on Horseback ''Pirates on Horseback'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Ethel La Blanche and J. Benton Cheney. The film stars William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Andy Clyde, Eleanor Stewart, Morris Ankrum and William Ha ...

'' (1941) as Ace Gibson *''

Wide Open Town ''Wide Open Town'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Harrison Jacobs and J. Benton Cheney. The film stars William Boyd, Russell Hayden, Andy Clyde, Evelyn Brent, Victor Jory, Morris Ankrum and Cara Wi ...

'' (1941) as Jim Stuart *'' This Woman Is Mine'' (1941) as Roussel *'' The Bandit Trail'' (1941) as Red Haggerty *'' I Wake Up Screaming'' (1941) as Assistant District Attorney *'' Road Agent'' (1941) as Big John Morgan *'' Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (1942) as Ace Anderson *'' Roxie Hart'' (1942) as Martin S. Harrison *''

Ten Gentlemen from West Point ''Ten Gentlemen from West Point'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring George Montgomery, Maureen O'Hara and John Sutton. Its cinematography was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943. George Montgomery replac ...

'' (1942) as Wood *''

Tales of Manhattan ''Tales of Manhattan'' is a 1942 American anthology film directed by Julien Duvivier. Thirteen writers, including Ben Hecht, Alan Campbell, Ferenc Molnár, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Donald Ogden Stewart, worked on the six stories in this film. Ba ...

'' (1942) as Judge Tom Barnes (Robinson sequence) *'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) as Mr. Graham *'' The Omaha Trail'' (1942) as Henchman Job *''

'' (1942) as Jefferson Davis *'' Time to Kill'' (1942) as Alexander Morny *'' Reunion in France'' (1942) as Martin *'' The Human Comedy'' (1943) as Mr. Beaufrere (uncredited) *'' Assignment in Brittany'' (1943) as Stenger (uncredited) *''

Dixie Dugan ''Dixie Dugan'' is best known as a long-running syndicated newspaper comic strip published from October 21, 1929 to October 8, 1966. The title character was originally modeled after 1920s film actress Louise Brooks and early stories followed Dixi ...

'' (1943) as Editor *'' Best Foot Forward'' (1943) as Col. Harkrider *'' Let's Face It'' (1943) as Man in Sun Shell Cafe (uncredited) *''

I Dood It ''I Dood It'' (UK title ''By Hook or by Crook'') is a 1943 American musical-comedy film starring Red Skelton and Eleanor Powell, directed by Vincente Minnelli, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay is by Fred Saidy and Sig Herzig a ...

'' (1943) as Brinker *''

Swing Fever ''Swing Fever'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Tim Whelan. Kay Kyser plays an ambitious music composer, also gifted with a hypnotic "evil eye", who gets mixed up with promoting a boxer. The film also features Marilyn Maxwell ...

'' (1943) as Dan Conlon *'' The Cross of Lorraine'' (1943) as Col. Demas (uncredited) *'' Whistling in Brooklyn'' (1943) as Blake - Newspaper Editor (uncredited) *'' See Here, Private Hargrove'' (1944) as Col. Forbes (uncredited) *''

The Heavenly Body ''The Heavenly Body'' is a 1944 American romantic comedy film directed by Alexander Hall and starring William Powell and Hedy Lamarr. Based on a story by Jacques Théry, with a screenplay by Michael Arlen and Walter Reisch, the film is about th ...

'' (1944) as Dr. Green *'' Rationing'' (1944) as Mr. Morgan *''Main Street Today'' (1944, Short) as Mayor Charlie Maxwell (uncredited) *''Radio Bugs'' (1944, Short) as Pain-Killer Kilroy, the dentist (uncredited) *''Important Business'' (1944, Short) as Army Officer Who Sits by Doakes (uncredited) *'' And Now Tomorrow'' (1944) *'' Meet the People'' (1944) as Monte Rowland *'' Kismet'' (1944) as The Caliph's Messenger (uncredited) *'' Marriage Is a Private Affair'' (1944) as Mr. Ed Scofield *'' Barbary Coast Gent'' (1944) as Alec Veeder *''Return from Nowhere'' (1944, Short) as Doctor (uncredited) *'' Thirty Seconds over Tokyo'' (1944) as Admiral

William F. Halsey William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr. (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959) was an American Navy admiral during World War II. He is one of four officers to have attained the rank of five-star fleet admiral of the United States Navy, the other ...

(uncredited) *'' Gentle Annie'' (1944) as Deputy Gansby *''Dark Shadows'' (1944, Short) as Police Lt. Pat McKay *''Fall Guy'' (1945, Short) as District Attorney (uncredited) *''Phantoms, Inc.'' (1945, Short) Narrator (uncredited voice) *'' The Hidden Eye'' (1945) as Ferris *''Purity Squad'' (1945, Short) as Dr. Adams (uncredited) *''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...

'' (1945) as Mr. Ludlow - Farmer (uncredited) *''

The Thin Man Goes Home ''The Thin Man Goes Home'' is a 1945 comedy- mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe. It is the fifth of the six '' Thin Man'' films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Dashiell Hammett's dapper ex-private detective Nick Charles and his ...

'' (1945) as Willoughby *'' The Harvey Girls'' (1946) as Rev. Claggett *'' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1946) as Judge Parkman (uncredited) *'' The Green Years'' (1946) as Dr. Galbraith (uncredited) *''

Courage of Lassie ''Courage of Lassie'' is a 1946 Technicolor MGM feature film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Morgan, and dog actor Pal in a story about a collie named Bill and his young companion, Kathie Merrick. When Bill is separated from Kathie following a v ...

'' (1946) as Farmer Crews *''

The Cockeyed Miracle ''The Cockeyed Miracle'' is a 1946 American fantasy film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring Frank Morgan, Keenan Wynn, and Cecil Kellaway. The film was based on the play ''But Not Goodbye'' by George Seaton. The film is about a ghost who, wi ...

'' (1946) as Dr. Wilson *'' Undercurrent'' (1946) (uncredited) *'' Lady in the Lake'' (1947) as Eugene Grayson *'' The Mighty McGurk'' (1947) as Fowles *''A Really Important Person'' (1947, Short) as Contest Emcee (uncredited) *'' The Sea of Grass'' (1947) as A.J. Crane, Attorney *'' Undercover Maisie'' (1947) as Parker (scenes cut) *'' Little Mr. Jim'' (1947) as Col. Starwell *'' Song of the Thin Man'' (1947) as The Police Inspector (uncredited) *'' Cynthia'' (1947) as Mr. Phillips, the High-School Principal *'' Merton of the Movies'' (1947) as Goodfellow's Club Manager (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 Aube ...

'' (1947) as Hector Martin *'' Good News'' (1947) as Dean Griswold *''

High Wall ''High Wall'' is a 1947 American film noir starring Robert Taylor, Audrey Totter and Herbert Marshall. It was directed by Curtis Bernhardt from a screenplay by Sydney Boehm and Lester Cole, based on a play by Alan R. Clark and Bradbury Foote. P ...

'' (1947) as Dr. Stanley Griffin *''

Alias a Gentleman ''Alias a Gentleman'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Wallace Beery. The supporting cast includes Dorothy Patrick, Tom Drake, Gladys George and Sheldon Leonard. Plot Jim Breedin has been in pris ...

'' (1948) as O.K. (scenes cut) *''Souvenirs of Death'' (1948, Short) as Gangster / Gun Owner #7 (uncredited) *'' Fighting Back'' (1948) as Robert J. Higby *''The Fabulous Fraud'' (1948, Short) as Blind Girl's Father *'' For the Love of Mary'' (1948) as Adm. Walton *''

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronat ...

'' (1948) as Capt. Poton de Xaintrailles *''

Bad Men of Tombstone ''Bad Men of Tombstone'' is a 1949 American Western film from King Brothers Productions. It was co-written by Philip Yordan and stars Barry Sullivan and Broderick Crawford. King Brothers announced plans for a sequel, ''The Marshall of Tombsto ...

'' (1949) as Mr. Jones *'' We Were Strangers'' (1949) as Mr. Seymour *''

Colorado Territory The Territory of Colorado was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 28, 1861, until August 1, 1876, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Colorado. The territory was organized in the ...

'' (1949) as United States Marshal *'' The Fountainhead'' (1949) as Prosecutor (uncredited) *'' Slattery's Hurricane'' (1949) as Dr. Holmes (uncredited) *'' Chain Lightning'' (1950) as Ed Bostwick *'' Borderline'' (1950) as Bill Whittaker *''

The Damned Don't Cry! ''The Damned Don't Cry'' is a 1950 American film noir crime-drama directed by Vincent Sherman and featuring Joan Crawford, David Brian, and Steve Cochran. It tells of a woman's involvement with an organized crime boss and his subordinates. The sc ...

'' (1950) as Jim Whitehead *''

In a Lonely Place ''In a Lonely Place'' is a 1950 American film noir directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame, produced for Bogart's Santana Productions. The script was written by Andrew P. Solt from Edmund H. North's adaptation of ...

'' (1950) as Lloyd Barnes *'' Rocketship X-M'' (1950) as Dr. Ralph Fleming *'' Southside 1-1000'' (1950) as Eugene Deane *''

Short Grass ''Short Grass'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and starring Rod Cameron, Cathy Downs and Johnny Mack Brown.Pitts p.311 Cast * Rod Cameron as Steve Llewellyn * Cathy Downs as Sharon Lynch * Johnny Mack Brown a ...

'' (1950) as Hal Fenton *''

The Redhead and the Cowboy ''The Redhead and the Cowboy'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Glenn Ford and Rhonda Fleming. Plot Late in the American Civil War, the New Mexico Territory is full of spies and guerrillas for both side ...

'' (1951) as Sheriff *''

The Lion Hunters ''The Lion Hunters'' is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Johnny Sheffield, Morris Ankrum and Ann E. Todd. It was the fifth in the 12-film Bomba, the Jungle Boy series. The film's sets were designed by the art dire ...

'' (1951) as Tom Forbes *''

Fighting Coast Guard ''Fighting Coast Guard'' is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Joseph Kane and written by Kenneth Gamet. The film stars Brian Donlevy, Forrest Tucker, Ella Raines, John Russell, Richard Jaeckel, William Murphy and Martin Milner. The fil ...

'' (1951) as Navy Captain *'' Along the Great Divide'' (1951) as Ed Roden *'' Tomorrow Is Another Day'' (1951) as Hugh Wagner *'' Flight to Mars'' (1951) as Ikron *'' My Favorite Spy'' (1951) as Gen. Frazer *''

Fort Osage Fort Osage (also known as Fort Clark or Fort Sibley) was an early 19th-century factory trading post run by the United States Government in western Missouri on the American frontier; it was located in present-day Sibley, Missouri. The Treaty o ...

'' (1952) as Arthur Pickett *''

Mutiny Mutiny is a revolt among a group of people (typically of a military, of a crew or of a crew of pirates) to oppose, change, or overthrow an organization to which they were previously loyal. The term is commonly used for a rebellion among memb ...

'' (1952) as Capt. Radford *'' Red Planet Mars'' (1952) as Secretary of Defense Sparks *'' And Now Tomorrow'' (1952) *'' Three for Bedroom "C"'' (1952) as Well-Wisher at Station (uncredited) *'' Son of Ali Baba'' (1952) as Ali Baba *'' The Raiders'' (1952) as Alcalde Thomas Ainsworth *'' Because of You'' (1952) as Dr. Travis *'' Hiawatha'' (1952) as Iagoo *'' The Man Behind the Gun'' (1953) as Bram Creegan *''

Fort Vengeance ''Fort Vengeance'' (aka ''Royal Mounted Police'') is a 1953 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and starring James Craig, Rita Moreno and Keith Larsen.Invaders From Mars'' (1953) as Col. Fielding *''

Arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectator ...

'' (1953) as Bucky Hillberry *'' Devil's Canyon'' (1953) as Sheriff *'' Sky Commando'' (1953) as Gen. W.R. Combs *'' Mexican Manhunt'' (1953) as Tip Morgan *''

The Moonlighter ''The Moonlighter'' is a 1953 American 3D Western film directed by Roy Rowland and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray. Distributed by Warner Bros., it premiered alongside the 1953 Looney Tunes 3-D Bugs Bunny cartoon, '' Lumber Jack- ...

'' (1953) as Alexander Prince *'' Flight Nurse'' (1953) as Interrogating Officer (uncredited) *''

Three Young Texans ''Three Young Texans'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Henry Levin and starring Mitzi Gaynor, Keefe Brasselle and Jeffrey Hunter. Plot A couple of cowboys, Johnny Colt and Tony Ballew, both have a romantic interest in tomboy Rusty ...

'' (1954) as Jeff Blair *'' Taza, Son of Cochise'' (1954) as Grey Eagle *''

Southwest Passage ''Southwest Passage'' is a 1954 American Pathécolor Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Joanne Dru, Rod Cameron and John Ireland, who are determined to make a unique trek across the west, using camels as his beasts of burden. ...

'' (1954) as Dr. Elias P. Stanton *''

Drums Across the River ''Drums Across the River '' is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film directed by Nathan Juran and starring Audie Murphy, Walter Brennan and Lyle Bettger. Plot Gary Brannon, is a peaceful homesteader living a quiet existence with his father ...

'' (1954) as Chief Ouray *'' The Saracen Blade'' (1954) *'' Silver Lode'' (1954) as Zachary Evans *''

'' (1954) as Dawson *'' The Outlaw Stallion'' (1954) as Sheriff *''

Two Guns and a Badge ''Two Guns and a Badge'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and written by Daniel B. Ullman. The film stars Wayne Morris, Morris Ankrum, Beverly Garland, Roy Barcroft, William Edward Phipps and Damian O'Flynn. The f ...

'' (1954) as Sheriff Jackson *'' Cattle Queen of Montana'' (1954) as J.I. 'Pop' Jones *''

The Steel Cage ''The Steel Cage'' is a 1954 American film noir drama film directed by Walter Doniger, written by Oliver Crawford, Walter Doniger, Scott Littleton, Berman Swarttz and Guy Trosper, and starring Paul Kelly, Maureen O'Sullivan, Walter Slezak, J ...

'' (1954) as Prison Board Member Garvey (segment "The Hostages") *'' Vera Cruz'' (1954) as Gen. Ramírez *''For the Defense'' (1954, TV Movie) as Prosecutor *''The Little Lamb: A Christmas Story'' (1955, Short) as Azar the Shepherd (uncredited) *''Dr. Harvey W. Wiley'' (1955, TV Movie) as Dr. Treet *''

Many Rivers to Cross "Many Rivers to Cross" is a song written and recorded in 1969 by Jimmy Cliff. It has since been recorded by many musicians, including Harry Nilsson, John Lennon, Joe Cocker, Percy Sledge, Little Milton, Desmond Dekker, UB40, Cher, The Br ...

'' (1955) as Mr. Emmett - Surly Innkeeper & J.P. (uncredited) *''

Crashout ''Crashout'' is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by Lewis R. Foster and starring William Bendix, Arthur Kennedy, Luther Adler, William Talman, Gene Evans, Marshall Thompson, and Beverly Michaels.. Plot Convict Van Duff is the lead ...

'' (1955) as Head Guard *'' The Silver Star'' (1955) as Charlie Childress *'' Chief Crazy Horse'' (1955) as Red Cloud *''

The Eternal Sea ''The Eternal Sea'' (aka ''The Admiral Hoskins Story'') is a 1955 American war film directed by John H. Auer and starring Sterling Hayden, Alexis Smith and Ben Cooper. After an American naval officer loses his leg at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he ...

'' (1955) as Vice-Adm. Arthur Dewey Struble *'' No Man's Woman'' (1955) as Capt. Hostedder *'' The Last Command'' (1955) as Military Governor Juan Bradburn (uncredited) *''

Duel on the Mississippi ''Duel on the Mississippi'' is a 1955 American Western film directed by William Castle and starring Lex Barker and Patricia Medina. Plot Andre Tulane (Barker), descendant of a plantation family in 1820 Louisiana, is bound to Lili Scarlet (Medi ...

'' (1955) as Magistrate (uncredited) *''

Tennessee's Partner ''Tennessee's Partner'' is a 1955 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan, written by Graham Baker, D. D. Beauchamp, Milton Krims, and Teddi Sherman, with uncredited rewrites by Dwan, and starring John Payne, Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Flemi ...

'' (1955) as Judge Parker *'' The Adventures of Fu Manchu'' (1956) as Professor Rutledge *'' Fury at Gunsight Pass'' (1956) as Doc Phillips *'' When Gangland Strikes'' (1956) as Leo Fantzler *''

Quincannon, Frontier Scout ''Quincannon, Frontier Scout'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by John C. Higgins and Don Martin. The film stars Tony Martin, Peggie Castle, John Bromfield, John Smith and Ron Randell. The film was re ...

'' (1956) as Col. Harry Conover *''

'' (1956) as Brig. Gen. John Hanley *'' Down Liberty Road'' (1956, Short) as Fred Schroder *'' Walk the Proud Land'' (1956) as Gen. Wade *''

Death of a Scoundrel ''Death of a Scoundrel'' is a 1956 film written, directed and produced by Charles Martin (1910-1983) and starring George Sanders, Yvonne De Carlo, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Victor Jory and Coleen Gray. This film and ''The Falcon's Brother'' are the only t ...

'' (1956) as Capt. LaFarge - Homicide Squad *'' The Desperadoes Are in Town'' (1956) as Mr. Rutherford *'' Naked Gun'' (1956) as Sheriff Jim Jackson *''

Drango ''Drango'' is a 1957 American Western film produced by Jeff Chandler's production company Earlmar Productions, written and directed by Hall Bartlett, and released by United Artists. Starring Chandler in the title role, the film also features ...

'' (1957) as Henry Calder *'' Zombies of Mora Tau''(1957) as Dr. Jonathan Eggert *''

Hell's Crossroads ''Hell's Crossroads'' is a 1957 American Western film directed by Franklin Adreon and starring Stephen McNally, Peggie Castle, and Robert Vaughn. The film's sets were designed by the art director Frank Arrigo. Plot The events leading up to the ...

'' (1957) as Wheeler *'' Kronos'' (1957) as Dr. Albert Stern *'' The Giant Claw'' (1957) as Lt. Gen. Edward Considine *'' Beginning of the End'' (1957) as Gen. John Hanson *'' Omar Khayyam'' (1957) as Imam Nowaffak *''

The Power of the Resurrection ''The Power of the Resurrection'' is a 1958 American feature film directed by Harold D. Schuster and starring Richard Kiley, Jon Shepodd, Morris Ankrum. The film is also known as ''The Passion and the Power of the Christ''. Plot A young man soon ...

'' (1958) as Annas *''

Giant from the Unknown ''Giant from the Unknown'' (working titles ''Giant from Devil's Crag'' and ''The Diablo Giant'' ) is a 1958 independently made American black-and-white science fiction- horror film drama, produced by Marc Frederic and Arthur A. Jacobs, directed by ...

'' (1958) as Dr. Frederick Cleveland *'' Young and Wild'' (1958) as Police Capt. Egan *'' How to Make a Monster'' (1958) as Police Capt. Hancock *''

Curse of the Faceless Man ''Curse of the Faceless Man'' is a 1958 independently made American low-budget black-and-white horror film, produced by Robert E. Kent, directed by Edward L. Cahn, that stars Richard Anderson, Elaine Edwards, Adele Mara, and Luis van Rooten. Sc ...

'' (1958) as Narrator (voice, uncredited) *''

Badman's Country ''Badman's Country'' is a 1958 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Orville H. Hampton. The film stars George Montgomery. Plot Pat Garrett arrives in Abilene where he catches five of Butch Cassidy's gang. He calls in ...

'' (1958) as Mayor Coleman *''

Twilight for the Gods ''Twilight for the Gods'' is a 1958 American Eastmancolor adventure film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Rock Hudson and Cyd Charisse. The story is based on the novel ''Twilight for the Gods'' by Ernest K. Gann (though the opening credits ...

'' (1958) as Sea Captain *'' The Saga of Hemp Brown'' (1958) as Bo Slauter *'' Tarawa Beachhead'' (1958) as Chief of Staff, Pearl Harbor (uncredited) *'' From the Earth to the Moon'' (1958) as President Ulysses S. Grant (uncredited) *'' Frontier Gun'' (1958) as Andrew Barton *'' Half Human'' (1958) as Dr. Carl Jordan *'' The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come'' (1961) as Gen. Lew Wallace (uncredited) *'' The Most Dangerous Man Alive'' (1961) as Capt. Davis *''

Tower of London The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is sep ...

'' (1962) as The Archbishop (uncredited) *'' X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes'' (1963) as Mr. Bowhead (uncredited) *''

'' (1965) as Ray Macklin (final film role)

Television credits

*''

Amos 'n' Andy ''Amos 'n' Andy'' is an American radio sitcom about black characters, initially set in Chicago and later in the Harlem section of New York City. While the show had a brief life on 1950s television with black actors, the 1928 to 1960 radio sho ...

'' (1 episode, 1951) as Judge *'' Cowboy G-Men'' (3 episodes, 1953) as John Calhoun / Judge Jefferson Dixon / Carl Randall *'' The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse'' (1 episode, 1953) as Tom *''

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' is the first Western television series written for adults, premiering four days before '' Gunsmoke'' on September 6, 1955. Two weeks later came the Clint Walker western ''Cheyenne''. The series is loosely ...

'' (1 episode, 1955) as Old Man Cullen *'' Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' (3 episodes, 1953–1955) as Link Bradford / Hendrick Vandorp / Damon Norton / Mark Warren *'' Four Star Playhouse'' (3 episodes, 1955–1956) as Mr. Raymond / Mr. Mason / Warden *'' Cavalcade of America'' (2 episodes, 1953–1956) as Peter Slade / Maj. Gen. C. H. Gerhardt / Gen. Stonewall Jackson *'' Science Fiction Theatre'' (4 episodes, 1955–1956) as Dr. McDermott / Campbell / Dr. Clausen / George Halsey *'' You Are There'' (1 episode, 1956) as Daniel Webster *'' Official Detective'' TV series episode 'Beauty In The Bag' (1957) as Cope *'' The Adventures of Jim Bowie'' (1 episode, 1957) as John McDonogh / Gabriel Durand *''

Lassie Lassie is a fictional female Rough Collie dog and is featured in a short story by Eric Knight that was later expanded to a full-length novel called '' Lassie Come-Home''. Knight's portrayal of Lassie bears some features in common with another ...

'' (1 episode, 1957) as Harry *'' Tombstone Territory'' (2 episodes, 1957 and 1959) as George West / Galeno Mayor *'' Sugarfoot'' (2 episodes, 1957 and 1959) as John Savage / Cash Billings *''

'' (2 episodes, 1957 and 1960) as Judge Jason Painter / Joshua Haines *''

Tales of Wells Fargo ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' is an American Western television series starring Dale Robertson that ran from 1957 to 1962 on NBC. Produced by Revue Productions, the series aired in a half-hour format until its final season, when it expanded t ...

'' (1 episodes, 1957) as Colonel Cole Bryson *'' The Veil'' (1 episode, 1958) as Judge Davis *'' Have Gun - Will Travel'' (1 episode, 1958) as Maxim Bruckner *'' U.S. Marshal'' (in "Good Indian", 1958) as Henry Colt *'' Mackenzie's Raiders'' (2 episodes, 1958-1959) as Dutch Herman / Sergeant Lund *'' Sea Hunt'' (1 episode, 1958) as Earl Tucker - Head of INS *'' 26 Men'' (2 episodes, 1958) as Jeff Hubbard / Miles Young *'' The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin'' (6 episodes, 1955–1958) as Yellow Wolf / Brig. General Jack Lawrence / Chief Red Eagle / Walking Hawk / Long Dog / Millard Austin *''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' (as Michael Folsom in "The Tobias Jones Story", 1958) as Michael Folsom *'' Frontier Doctor'' (1 episode, 1959) as Colonel Martin Brandt *'' Death Valley Days'' (in "A Bullet for the Captain", 1958) as Major Rogers and (in "The Talking Wire", 1959) as Phillips *'' Lawman'' (in "The Young Toughs", 1959) as Ike Smith *'' Bat Masterson'' (in "A Matter of Honor", 1959) as Judge Dorset *'' Markham'' (in "The Last Bullet", 1959) as Harold Burgess *'' Tombstone Territory'' (2 episodes, 1957–1959) as George West / Galeno Mayor *'' Riverboat'' (in "A Night at Trapper's Landing, 1959) as C.C. Thompson *''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

'' (as Merle in "The Bobsy Twins", 1960) as Merle Finney *'' Dennis the Menace'' (1 episode, 1960) as Minister *'' The Man from Blackhawk'' (1 episode, as Martin Randolph in "Portrait of Cynthia", 1960) as Martin Randolph *'' Cheyene'' (4 episodes, 1956–1961) as Cyrus Dawson / Matt Benedict / John Clements / Ed Roden, Sr. *'' Rawhide'' (2 episodes, 1959–1961) as Dr. Morgan / Dr. Tom Jackson *''

'' (2 episodes, 1959–1961) as Jacob Black / Aaron Pelser *'' Bronco'' (5 episodes, 1958–1961) as Gilbert Groves / General Blunt / Dan Peppin / Gen. George Meade / Todd Morgan *'' The Barbara Stanwyck Show'' (as Walter Harwood in "Along the Barbary Coast, 1961) *''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

'' (as Mr. Mason in "The Gamble", 1962) as Mr. Mason *'' Kraft Suspense Theatre'' (1 episode, 1964) as Chief Austin *'' Perry Mason'' (22 episodes, 1957–1964) as Judge / Judge Bates

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ankrum, Morris 1896 births 1964 deaths American male stage actors American male film actors American male radio actors American male television actors Male actors from Illinois USC Gould School of Law alumni University of California, Berkeley College of Letters and Science faculty California lawyers People from Danville, Illinois Male actors from Berkeley, California Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century American male actors Male Western (genre) film actors 20th-century American lawyers Western (genre) television actors