Edward Arnold

Actor

About

Also Known As

Guenther Edward Arnold Schneider

Birth Place

New York City, New York, USA

Born

February 18, 1890

Died

April 26, 1956

Cause of Death

Cerebral Hemorrhage

Biography

Filmography

Entertaining the Troops (1989)

Himself

The Houston Story (1956)

Paul Atlas

Miami Expose (1956)

Oliver Tubbs

The Ambassador's Daughter (1956)

Ambassador William Fiske

Living It Up (1954)

The mayor

City That Never Sleeps (1953)

Penrod Biddel

Photos & Videos

View All

Devil And Daniel Webster, The (1941) -- (Movie Clip) What A Fine Fellow You Were

Devil And Daniel Webster, The (1941) -- (Movie Clip) The Devil Vs. Jabez Stone

Family & Companions

Harriet Marshall

Wife

Had three children together.

Olive Emerson

Wife

Cleo McClain

Wife

Bibliography

"Lorenzo Goes to Hollywood"

Edward Arnold (1940)

Notes

Arnold linked his success to his size: "The bigger I got, the better character roles I received".

"It was announced in 1950 that he would run for Republican Senator from California, but it was too early in the 1950s for an actor to be taken very seriously in the political arena". --(The MGM Stock Company)

Biography

Prolific, popular character player who began his career on the stage and, between 1915 and 1919, starred in numerous westerns for Essanay Studio. The portly, distinguished-looking actor returned to films in the sound era, first in crime melodramas, then as a priest in "The White Sister" and a sheik in "The Barbarian" (both 1933) before finding his special niche portraying all kinds of tycoons: as an alcoholic millionaire ("Sadie McKee" 1934), a lumber tycoon ("Come and Get It" 1936) and a sinister munitions king ("Idiot's Delight" 1939). Despite being middle-aged and heavy-set, Arnold played leading roles for a number of years from the mid-1930s through the early 40s, even after being named on the infamous 1937 exhibitors list of stars who were considered "box-office poison." (Arnold was in excellent company with Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Fred Astaire, Joan Crawford and others who enjoyed lengthy careers.)

With his cool stare and facile, jovial laugh, Arnold also excelled at playing public officials and corrupt politicians ("Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" 1939) as well as biographical personages (Louis XIII in "Cardinal Richelieu" 1935, Diamond Jim Brady in "Diamond Jim" 1935 and again in "Lillian Russell" 1940, and an especially delightful Daniel Webster in "All That Money Can Buy" 1941). He even rose to the rank of President of the United States on the radio series, "Mr. President."

Filmography

Life Events

1905

Professional stage debut as a bit player with Ben Greet Players in Trenton, New Jersey; changed name to Edward Arnold

1915

Film debut, "When the Man Speaks"

1925

Returned to Broadway in "Easy Come, Easy Go"

1927

Appeared in "Sunrise", directed by F.W. Murnau

1932

First sound film, "Okay America"

1956

Last films, "The Houston Story", "Miami Expose", "The Ambassador's Daughter"

Photo Collections

Easy Living - Publicity Still

You Can't Take It with You - Lobby Card Set

Here is a set of Lobby Cards from Frank Capra's You Can't Take It with You (1938). Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Three Wise Fools - Lobby Card

Here is a Lobby Card from MGM's Three Wise Fools (1946), starring Margaret O'Brien. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.