Thomas Richard Potts (November 20, 1915 – August 10, 1944), known professionally as Richard Fiske, was an American film actor. He appeared in over 80 films between 1938 and 1942.

Career

Born Thomas Richard Potts, Fiske was born to Frank and Bernice Potts. The tall, handsome young actor signed a contract with

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

in 1938, and appeared regularly in the studio's "B" pictures, serials, and short subjects, including major roles in the popular serials '' The Spider's Web'' (1938) and ''

Flying G-Men ''Flying G-Men'' is a 15-episode 1939 adventure film Film serial, directed by James W. Horne and Ray Taylor. The serial was the sixth of the 57 serials released by Columbia. Four "Flying G-Men" battle with enemy saboteurs intent on destroying A ...

'' (1939), frequent castings in the '' Blondie'', ''

The Lone Wolf The Lone Wolf may refer to: * ''The Lone Wolf'', a 1914 novel by Louis Joseph Vance Louis Joseph Vance (September 19, 1879 – December 16, 1933) was an American novelist, screenwriter and film producer. He created the popular character M ...

'', and ''

Boston Blackie Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle (1881–1928). Blackie, a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's stories, became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him an ...

'' series, and equally frequent work with short-subject comedians

Charley Chase Charles Joseph Parrott (October 20, 1893 – June 20, 1940), known professionally as Charley Chase, was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director. He worked for many pioneering comedy studios but is chiefly associated with pro ...

, Andy Clyde, and

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, in which his trademark was physical comedy accompanied by a stoic, deadpan expression ...

. Fiske is best known by modern viewers for his portrayals of neurotic foils to

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeared ...

. Perhaps his most familiar role is that of the irate husband-turned-drill

sergeant Sergeant (abbreviated to Sgt. and capitalized when used as a named person's title) is a rank in many uniformed organizations, principally military and policing forces. The alternative spelling, ''serjeant'', is used in The Rifles and other uni ...

in 1940's ''

Boobs in Arms ''Boobs in Arms'' is a 1940 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 52nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring the ...

''. This performance would be recycled three years later in '' Dizzy Pilots''. His last film role was

Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

' fiancee in the

Billy Wilder Billy Wilder (; ; born Samuel Wilder; June 22, 1906 – March 27, 2002) was an Austrian-American filmmaker. His career in Hollywood spanned five decades, and he is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Classic Holl ...

comedy ''

The Major and the Minor ''The Major and the Minor'' is a 1942 American comedy film starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland. It was the first American film directed by Billy Wilder. The screenplay credited to Wilder and Charles Brackett is "suggested by" the 1923 play '' ...

''.

Death

Fiske's brief acting career was cut short when he was drafted into the

U.S. 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, cl ...

in 1942. He was killed in action two years later at

La Croix-Avranchin La Croix-Avranchin () is a former commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France. On 1 January 2017, it was merged into the commune Saint-James.France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

, in a confrontation against the

Nazi Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...

s in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

while serving within the

9th Infantry Regiment (United States) The 9th Infantry Regiment ("Manchu") is a parent infantry regiment of the United States Army. Unrelated units designated the 9th Infantry Regiment were organized in the United States Army in 1798 during the Quasi-War, in 1812 during the war o ...

2nd Infantry Division. 1st

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

Fiske (Potts) was 28 years of age. Fiske was posthumously awarded the

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, w ...

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

, and several other military honors. He is buried at

Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial The Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Saint-James, Normandy, France, near the northeastern edge of Brittany. It contains the remains of 4,410 of World War II American soldiers, most of whom died in the Normandy and Brittany cam ...

, Basse-Normandie, France.''Three Stooges FAQ''
/ref>

Selected filmography

* ''

Juvenile Court A juvenile court, also known as young offender's court or children's court, is a tribunal having special authority to pass judgements for crimes that are committed by children who have not attained the age of majority. In most modern legal s ...

'' (1938) - Spectator at Accident (uncredited) * ''

Girls' School Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education and gender-isolated education, is the practice of conducting education with male and female students attending separate classes, perhaps in separate buildings or schools. The practice of ...

'' (1938) - Sugar' - Myras First Dance Partner (uncredited) * '' The Spider's Web'' (1938, Serial) - Jackson * ''

In Early Arizona ''In Early Arizona'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Joseph Levering and written by Nate Gatzert. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, Dorothy Gulliver, Harry Woods, Jack Ingram, Franklyn Farnum and Frank Ellis. The film was release ...

'' (1938) - Gambler (uncredited) * '' Blondie'' (1938) - Nelson - Dithers' Employee (uncredited) * '' The Little Adventuress'' (1938) - Dick Horton * ''

Homicide Bureau ''Homicide Bureau'' is a 1939 American action film, directed by Charles C. Coleman (director), Charles C. Coleman. It stars Bruce Cabot, Rita Hayworth, and Marc Lawrence. Cast *Bruce Cabot as Jim Logan *Rita Hayworth as J.G. Bliss *Marc Lawrence ...

'' (1939) - Hank * ''

'' (1939, Serial) - Bart Davis * ''

Blondie Meets the Boss ''Blondie Meets the Boss'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. Based on the Chic Young comic strip of the same name, the film is the second in the '' Blondie'' series, which ...

'' (1939) - Nelson * '' Romance of the Redwoods'' (1939) - Logger (uncredited) * ''North of the Yukon'' (1939) - Mart Duncan * ''

Outside These Walls ''Outside These Walls'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Ray McCarey and starring Michael Whalen, Dolores Costello and Virginia Weidler. Plot Walen plays Dan Sparling, a convicted embezzler who becomes editor of his prison newspaper ...

'' (1939) - Prisoner (uncredited) * '' Missing Daughters'' (1939) - 2nd Attendant (uncredited) * ''

Pest from the West ''Pest from the West'' is the first short subject starring American comedian Buster Keaton made for Columbia Pictures. Keaton made a total of ten films for the studio between 1939 and 1941. Synopsis Keaton is a millionaire vacationing in Mexico ...

'' (1939, Short) - Ferdinand the Bullfighter * ''

Good Girls Go to Paris ''Good Girls Go to Paris'' is a 1939 American romantic comedy film starring Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell. Plot Jenny Swanson is a waitress in a small college town whose dream is to go to Paris by any means necessary. She confides her plan for ...

'' (1939) - Student (uncredited) * ''

The Man from Sundown ''The Man from Sundown'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Jack Rockwell, Alan Bridge and Dick Botiller. The film was released o ...

'' (1939) - Tom Kellogg * ''

Overland with Kit Carson ''Overland with Kit Carson'' is a 1939 American Western serial film directed by Norman Deming and Sam Nelson and starring Bill Ellott, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske and Bobby Clack. Plot When Pegleg and his Black Raiders threaten the westwar ...

'' (1939, Serial) - Lieutenant David Brent * ''

Behind Prison Gates ''Behind Prison Gates'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Charles Barton and written by Arthur T. Horman and Leslie T. White. The film stars Brian Donlevy, Julie Bishop, Joseph Crehan, Paul Fix, George Lloyd and Dick Curtis. The film wa ...

'' (1939) - Agent Lyman * ''

Konga, the Wild Stallion ''Konga, the Wild Stallion'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Fred Stone, Rochelle Hudson and Richard Fiske. Plot In this drama, a battle has to be fought between rancher Yance Calhoun and farmer Jordan Hadle ...

'' (1939) - Steve Calhoun * '' Parents on Trial'' (1939) - Lawrence Hastings * ''

Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise ''Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise'' is a 1939 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges ( Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 42nd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures ...

'' (1939, Short) - Mr. Johnson - Farmer (uncredited) * '' The Taming of the West'' (1939) - Blacksmith (uncredited) * ''

Scandal Sheet Tabloid journalism is a popular style of largely sensationalist journalism (usually dramatized and sometimes unverifiable or even blatantly false), which takes its name from the tabloid newspaper format: a small-sized newspaper also known as ...

'' (1939) - Student * ''

Blondie Brings Up Baby ''Blondie Brings Up Baby'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms. It is the fourth of 28 films based on the comic strip. Plot summary Blondie is convinced by a salesma ...

'' (1939) - Dithers' Employee (uncredited) * ''

Three Sappy People ''Three Sappy People'' is a 1939 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 43rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring ...

'' (1939, Short) - Party Guest (uncredited) * ''

The Stranger from Texas ''The Stranger from Texas'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Lorna Gray and the Sons of the Pioneers. Cast list * Charles Starrett as Tom Murdock/Tom Morgan * Lorna Gray as Jean Browning * R ...

'' (1939) - Ned Browning * '' My Son Is Guilty'' (1939) - Mac (uncredited) * ''

You Nazty Spy! ''You Nazty Spy!'' is a 1940 comedy film directed by Jules White and starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard). It is the 44th short film released by Columbia Pictures starring the comedi ...

'' (1940, Short) - Mr. Ixnay (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Wolf Strikes ''The Lone Wolf Strikes'' is a 1940 crime drama film directed by Sidney Salkow, which stars Warren William, Joan Perry, and Eric Blore. The Lone Wolf character dates back to 1914, when author Louis Joseph Vance Louis Joseph Vance (September ...

'' (1940) - Officer in Chase Car (uncredited) * ''

Convicted Woman ''Convicted Woman'' is a 1940 crime film starring Rochelle Hudson and directed by Nick Grinde Nick Grinde (January 12, 1893 – June 19, 1979) was an American film director and screenwriter. He directed 57 films between 1928 and 1945. Bi ...

'' (1940) - Hank (uncredited) * ''

Five Little Peppers at Home ''Five Little Peppers at Home'' is a 1940 American drama black and white film. It is the second Five Little Peppers film. Cast * Edith Fellows as Polly Pepper *Charles Peck as Ben Pepper * Tommy Bond as Joey Pepper *Bobby Larson as Davie Pepper ...

'' (1940) - Aunt Martha's Chauffeur (uncredited) * '' Pioneers of the Frontier'' (1940) - Henchman Bart * '' The Man from Tumbleweeds'' (1940) - Ranger Slash (Henchman Slash in credits) * ''

Men Without Souls ''Men Without Souls'' is a 1940 black and white crime movie, starring Barton MacLane and Glenn Ford and directed by Nick Grinde Nick Grinde (January 12, 1893 – June 19, 1979) was an American film director and screenwriter. He directed 5 ...

'' (1940) - Crowley * ''

Island of Doomed Men ''Island of Doomed Men'' is a 1940 American film noir crime film directed by Charles Barton and starring Peter Lorre. Plot Stephen Danel lures paroled convicts to his isolated island where they are forced to work as slaves for life. Governme ...

'' (1940) - Hale (uncredited) * ''Texas Stagecoach'' (1940) - Workman (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady ''The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady'' is a 1940 American drama directed by Sidney Salkow, starring Warren William, Eric Blore and Jean Muir. The Lone Wolf character dates back to 1914, when author Louis Joseph Vance invented him for a series of books, ...

'' (1940) - Detective Jackson (uncredited) * ''

Before I Hang ''Before I Hang'' is a 1940 American horror film released by Columbia Pictures, starring Boris Karloff. The film was directed by Nick Grinde (under the working title ''The Wizard of Death'') and was one of several films Karloff starred in under co ...

'' (1940) - Mandish (uncredited) * ''

Glamour for Sale ''Glamour for Sale'' is a 1940 American crime film directed by D. Ross Lederman and starring Anita Louise, Roger Pryor, and Frances Robinson.McCarty p.421 Plot A poor girl, working for an escort agency, is given for her first client a man worki ...

'' (1940) - Club Bartender (uncredited) * '' Prairie Schooners'' (1940) - Adams * '' So You Won't Talk'' (1940) - Cop (uncredited) * ''

Blondie Plays Cupid ''Blondie Plays Cupid'' is a 1940 American comedy film starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake and directed by Frank R. Strayer. Also in the cast is Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Cana ...

'' (1940) - Nelson (uncredited) * ''

Girls Under 21 ''Girls Under 21'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Max Nosseck, starring Bruce Cabot and Rochelle Hudson. Plot summary Frances White (Rochelle Hudson) from the slums, escapes the tenements by marrying rich gangster Smiley Ryan (Bruce ...

'' (1940) - Cop (uncredited) * ''

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

'' (1940) - Teamster (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date ''The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date'' (1941) is the sixth Lone Wolf film produced by Columbia Pictures. It features Warren William, in his fourth appearance as the title character Lone Wolf, and Edward Gargan, Lester Matthews and Don Beddoe as the film ...

'' (1940) - Croupier With Check (uncredited) * '' The Phantom Submarine'' (1940) - Cab Driver (uncredited) * '' This Thing Called Love'' (1940) - Ship officer (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940, Short) - Sergeant Hugh Dare * ''

The Devil Commands ''The Devil Commands'' is a 1941 American horror film directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Boris Karloff. The working title of the film was ''The Devil Said No''.Young, 2000, p. 154 In it, a man obsessed with contacting his dead wife falls i ...

'' (1941) - Dr. Richard Sayles * ''

Across the Sierras ''Across the Sierras'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman and starring Bill Elliott. Plot After six years in prison, Mitch Carew returns to Arroyo to seek his revenge on the two men who sent him to prison, shopkeepe ...

'' (1941) - Larry Armstrong * ''

Meet Boston Blackie ''Meet Boston Blackie'' is a 1941 crime film starring Chester Morris as Boston Blackie, a notorious, but honorable jewel thief. Although the character had been the hero of a number of silent films, this was the first talking picture. It proved po ...

'' (1941) - Police Officer (uncredited) * ''

Outlaws of the Panhandle ''Outlaws of the Panhandle'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Frances Robinson, Stanley Brown, Norman Willis, Ray Teal and Lee Prather. The film was released ...

'' (1941) - Henchman Britt * '' North from the Lone Star'' (1941) - Clint Wilson * ''

They Dare Not Love ''They Dare Not Love'' is a 1941 romantic war drama film directed by James Whale and starring George Brent, Martha Scott and Paul Lukas. Whale left the picture before the end of production; it was the last film released to credit him as director. ...

'' (1941) - Third Photographer (uncredited) * ''

All the World's a Stooge ''All the World's a Stooge'' is a 1941 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 55th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starrin ...

'' (1941, Short) - Dr. I. Yankum (uncredited) * ''

Time Out for Rhythm ''Time Out for Rhythm'' is a 1941 musical comedy film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Rudy Vallée, Ann Miller and the Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard). Six Hits and a Miss perform, as well as Glen Gray and His Ca ...

'' (1941) - Customer (uncredited) * ''

Blondie in Society ''Blondie in Society'' is a 1941 black-and-white comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the ninth of the 28 features in the Blondie film series. Plot Dagwood is given a Great D ...

'' (1941) - Nelson, Dithers' Employee (uncredited) * ''

The Medico of Painted Springs ''The Medico of Painted Springs'' (also known as ''Doctor's Alibi'') is a 1941 American Western film produced by Columbia Pictures. Based on the novel of the same name by James Lyon Rubel, the film stars Charles Starrett, Terry Walker, Ben Tagg ...

'' (1941) - Kentucky Lane * ''

The Son of Davy Crockett ''The Son of Davy Crockett'' is a 1941 American Western film written and directed by Lambert Hillyer. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, Iris Meredith, Dub Taylor, Kenneth MacDonald, Richard Fiske and Eddy Waller. The film was released on July ...

'' (1941) - Jesse Gordon * ''

The Richest Man in Town ''The Richest Man in Town'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Charles Barton, which stars Frank Craven, Edgar Buchanan, and Eileen O'Hearn. Cast list * Frank Craven as Abb Crothers * Edgar Buchanan as Pete Martin * Eileen O'Hearn as Mary Martin ...

'' (1941) - Son (uncredited) * ''I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island'' (1941) - Georges (uncredited) * ''

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

'' (1941) - Red, Fight Timekeeper (uncredited) * ''

The Officer and the Lady ''The Officer and the Lady'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by Sam White and written by Lambert Hillyer and Joseph Hoffman. The film stars Rochelle Hudson, Bruce Bennett, Roger Pryor, Richard Fiske, Sidney Blackmer and Tom Kennedy. The ...

'' (1941) - Ace Quinn * ''

In the Sweet Pie and Pie ''In the Sweet Pie and Pie'' is a 1941 short subject directed by Jules White starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 58th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures s ...

'' (1941, Short) - Diggins (uncredited) * ''

Go West, Young Lady ''Go West, Young Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy Western film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Glenn Ford and Ann Miller. Plot The town of Headstone eagerly awaits the arrival of their new sheriff, hoping that he wi ...

'' (1941) - Gang Member (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance ''The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by Sidney Salkow, which stars Warren William, June Storey, and Henry Wilcoxon. Salkow also wrote the original screenplay, along with Earl Felton, and the film was released ...

'' (1941) - Brakeman (uncredited) * ''

Valley of the Sun A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains, which will typically contain a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over ...

'' (1942) - Lieutenant Burke (uncredited) * ''

Perils of the Royal Mounted ''Perils of the Royal Mounted'' is a 1942 American Northern (genre), Northern film. It was the 18th Serial (film), serial released by Columbia Pictures. It starred Robert Kellard (aka Robert Stevens) as the hero, Sgt. Mack MacLane of the Royal Mo ...

'' (1942, Serial) - Constable Brady * ''

'' (1942) - Will Duffy (final film role) * '' Dizzy Pilots'' (1943, Short) - Sergeant (

archive footage Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures, and file footage is film or video footage that can be used again in other films. Stock footage is beneficial to filmmakers as it saves shooting new material. A single piece of stock ...

)

References

External links

*
Richard Fiske
a
threestooges.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiske, Richard 1915 births 1944 deaths American male film actors United States Army personnel killed in World War II 20th-century American male actors