Eddie Acuff

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eddie Acuff
Acuff in What Price Vengeance (1937)
Born
Edward DeKalb Acuff

(1903-06-03)June 3, 1903
Caruthersville, Missouri, U.S.
DiedDecember 17, 1956(1956-12-17) (aged 53)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1932–1952

Edward DeKalb Acuff (June 3, 1903 – December 17, 1956) was an American stage and film actor. He frequently was cast as a droll comic relief, in the support of the star. His best-known recurring role is that of Mr. Beasley, the postman, in the Blondie movie series that starred Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake.[1]

Early years[edit]

Acuff was born in Caruthersville, Missouri.[2] He was the son of DeKalb Acuff (1880-1916)[3] and his wife Grace (later known as Mrs. H. N. Arnold),.[4]

Career[edit]

Before beginning his Hollywood film career in 1934, Acuff performed in Broadway theatre in the early-1930s. His Broadway credits include Jayhawker (1934), Yellow Jack (1934), John Brown (1934), Growing Pains (1933), Heat Lightning (1933), and The Dark Hours (1932).[5]

In 1935, Warner Bros. signed Acuff to a long-term contract and scheduled him to debut on film in Anchors Aweigh.[6] He had a recurring role as the postman in the Blondie film series.[7] Acuff was seen in three film serials — as Curly in Jungle Girl, as Red Kelly in Daredevils of the West, and as Spud Warner in Chick Carter Detective.[8]

Death[edit]

On December 17, 1956, Acuff died of a heart attack[2] in Hollywood, California. He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.[9]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1934 Here Comes the Navy Marine Orderly Uncredited
1935 Mr. Widget Short Film; uncredited
Shipmates Forever Lincoln 'Cowboy'
I Found Stella Parish Dimmie
Miss Pacific Fleet Clarence 'Dutch'
1936 The Petrified Forest Lineman
The Walking Dead Betcha
Boulder Dam Ed Harper
Colleen Uncredited
The Law in Her Hands Eddie O'Malley
The Golden Arrow Davis
Crash Donovan Alabam
Jailbreak Sig Patton
The Case of the Velvet Claws Spudsy Drake
Yellowstone Desk Clerk Uncredited
Laughing at Trouble Jamie Bradford Credited as Edward Acuff
Let's Make a Million Uncredited
1937 Guns of the Pecos Ranger Jeff Carter
Black Legion Metcalf
The Outer Gate Todd Shannon Credited as Edward Acuff
The Go Getter Bob Blair
What Price Vengeance Tex McGirk
The Singing Marine Sam
They Won't Forget Drugstore Clerk
Talent Scout Musselman - Writer Uncredited
Back in Circulation Murphy
Love Is on the Air 'Dunk' Glover
Missing Witnesses Detective Pete Uncredited
She Loved a Fireman Skillet Michaels
Hollywood Hotel Cameraman
1938 The Invisible Menace Corporal Sanger
Law of the Underworld Bill
Gangs of New York Motorist Uncredited
Ladies in Distress Horace - First Thug
Young Fugitives Loafer Uncredited
The Chaser Photographer Uncredited
Smashing the Rackets Joe - Hoodlum Credited as Edward Acuff
Four Daughters Sam
Youth Takes a Fling Bum
King of Alcatraz Steward Uncredited
How to Watch Football Yelling Fan Next to Benchley Short Film; uncredited
Rhythm of the Saddle Dixie Erwin
The Cowboy and the Lady Bus Driver Uncredited
His Exciting Night Reporter Uncredited
Next Time I Marry Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
Road Demon Smitty Uncredited
Ride a Crooked Mile Airplane Pilot Uncredited
1939 Fighting Thoroughbreds Uncredited
The Phantom Creeps Mac - AMI Agent
The Mysterious Miss X Pete - Policeman
Ambush Bus Conductor Uncredited
Wings of the Navy Reporter Uncredited
Persons in Hiding Collins Uncredited
High Peril Short Film
Society Smugglers Radio Technician
Blondie Meets the Boss Pots and Pans Peddler Uncredited
Rough Riders' Round-up Tommy Ward
Winner Take All Second Uncredited
Blind Alley State Trooper Stopping Fred Uncredited
Help Wanted Workman Short Film; uncredited
The Cowboy Quarterback Airplane Pilot
Miracles for Sale Second Taxi Driver Uncredited
When Tomorrow Comes Second Bus Driver Uncredited
Flight at Midnight Stubby - Passenger Plane Pilot Uncredited
Two Bright Boys Washburn
Espionage Agent Uncredited
Hero for a Day Eddie Gibbons Uncredited
On Dress Parade Fort Lewis Sergeant Uncredited
The Roaring Twenties Cabbie Uncredited
Too Busy to Work Stage Manager
Meet Dr. Christian Benson
Days of Jesse James Train Conductor Uncredited
Lawyer Woman
Backfire
1940 Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love! Motorcycle Cop Uncredited
Cafe Hostess Scotty
Honeymoon Deferred Cab Driver Uncredited
Castle on the Hudson Bill Uncredited
Charlie Chan in Panama Sailor Uncredited
Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me Counter Man Uncredited
It's a Date Ship's Steward Uncredited
Star Dust Mike, Dallas Stagehand Uncredited
Shooting High Andy Carson
Enemy Agent Federal Agent Posing as Drunk Uncredited
Buck Benny Rides Again Truck Driver Uncredited
Flight Angels Mechanic with Apple Uncredited
Sailor's Lady Guide
Manhattan Heartbeat First Mechanic Uncredited
Girls of the Road Bartley - Bus Driver Uncredited
They Drive by Night Driver in Café Uncredited
The Boys from Syracuse Taxi Cab Driver
The Secret Seven Driver Uncredited
Money and the Woman Mr. Jones Uncredited
Flowing Gold Shorty Smith Uncredited
Dr. Kildare Goes Home Clifford Genet - Orderly Uncredited
Spring Parade Earl Uncredited
So You Won't Talk Lounger Uncredited
The Villain Still Pursued Her Joe Uncredited
Slightly Tempted Hartman - Policeman Uncredited
One Night in the Tropics First S.S. Atlantica Steward Uncredited
Gallant Sons Taxi Driver Scenes deleted
The Bank Dick Reporter Uncredited
Dr. Kildare's Crisis Clifford Genet - Window Cleaner Uncredited
The Border Legion Ticket Agent Uncredited
Texas Rangers Ride Again Bud - Ranger Stenographer Uncredited
The Green Hornet Strikes Again! Lowery - a Reporter
1941 Robin Hood of the Pecos Sam Starr
Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga Steward
High Sierra Bus Driver Uncredited
Arkansas Judge Townsman Uncredited
Back Street Andy Uncredited
Ride, Kelly, Ride Roy Wall Uncredited
Blondie Goes Latin Cab Driver Uncredited
The Great Train Robbery Telegrapher Uncredited
Here Comes Happiness Bill
Dutiful But Dumb Headquarters Guard - Right of Door Short film; uncredited
Mr. District Attorney Cabbie Uncredited
Model Wife Undetermined Role Uncredited
The Wagons Roll at Night Pickpocket Victim Uncredited
The People vs. Dr. Kildare Clifford Genet
The Great American Broadcast Jimmy
Broadway Limited Engineer's Assistant Uncredited
Jungle Girl Curly Rogers
A Very Young Lady Sheriff Bill Stone Uncredited
Bad Men of Missouri Peg Leg Uncredited
Rags to Riches Ace
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day Clifford Genet - Orderly Uncredited
Bad Man of Deadwood Reporter of Burns' Death Uncredited
They Died with Their Boots On Cpl. Smith Uncredited
Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case Hypo
Hellzapoppin' Drafted Devil Uncredited
1942 Fly-by-Night Garage Attendant Uncredited
Dr. Kildare's Victory Clifford Genet
The Lady Is Willing Patrolman Murphy Uncredited
What's Cookin' Doorman Uncredited
Sleepytime Gal First Mug Uncredited
Sing Your Worries Away Tour Map Seller Uncredited
True to the Army Sgt. Riggs
Who Is Hope Schuyler? Arthur Guerney Uncredited
Mississippi Gambler Everett - Desk Clerk
Take a Letter, Darling Man Who Picks Teeth Uncredited
In This Our Life Worker Uncredited
She's in the Army Pete
Private Buckaroo Waiter Captain Uncredited
Yankee Doodle Dandy Reporter Uncredited
The Postman Didn't Ring Photographer Uncredited
Calling Dr. Gillespie Clifford Genet
Timber! Man Uncredited
Blondie for Victory Husband Whose Wife Knits Socks Uncredited
Pardon My Sarong Wise Guy at Gas Station Uncredited
The Old Homestead Policeman Uncredited
Bells of Capistrano Mug / Sign-Poster #1 Uncredited
The War Against Mrs. Hadley Soldier in Canteen Uncredited
Girl Trouble Taxi Driver Uncredited
Youth on Parade Cop Uncredited
Army Surgeon Sergeant Uncredited
Fall In Sgt. Topps Uncredited
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant Clifford Genet
The Traitor Within Tommy
1943 Slightly Dangerous Soda Jerk Uncredited
He Hired the Boss Driver Uncredited
Good Morning, Judge Cab Driver Uncredited
Daredevils of the West Red Kelly
Pilot #5 Newsreel Cameraman Uncredited
Hers to Hold Reporter Uncredited
Headin' for God's Country Hugo Higgins
Guadalcanal Diary Pvt. Tex McIlvoy Uncredited
Flesh and Fantasy Cop Uncredited
Swingtime Johnny Worker Uncredited
Lost Angel Policeman Uncredited
1944 Week-End Pass Waikowsky
Hat Check Honey Cameraman Uncredited
Four Jills in a Jeep Sentry Scenes deleted
It Happened Tomorrow Jim
Hey, Rookie Jokester Uncredited
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble Taxi Driver #1 Uncredited
Once Upon a Time Shipyard Worker Uncredited
Silent Partner Taxicab Driver Uncredited
South of Dixie Jay Hatcher
Christmas Holiday Steve Uncredited
Bride by Mistake Photographer Uncredited
Wing and a Prayer Pharmacist's Mate Uncredited
I Love a Soldier Private Uncredited
Rainbow Island Sailor Uncredited
In the Meantime, Darling Milkman Uncredited
Irish Eyes Are Smiling Harry Uncredited
Something for the Boys Blue Army Radio Operator Uncredited
Sergeant Mike Monohan Uncredited
Carolina Blues Eddie Uncredited
Can't Help Singing Cavalry Officer Uncredited
Belle of the Yukon Miner Uncredited
1945 She Gets Her Man Boze - Photographer
Roughly Speaking Billiards Player Uncredited
Her Lucky Night Chauffeur
Leave It to Blondie Mailman Uncredited
Without Love Taxi Driver Uncredited
The Clock First Subway Official Uncredited
Between Two Women Orderly
Brewster's Millions Cab Driver Uncredited
Diamond Horseshoe Clarinet Player Uncredited
Honeymoon Ahead Connors
Wonder Man Pelican Club Doorman Uncredited
Flame of Barbary Coast Fireman Uncredited
The Frozen Ghost Reporter in Hallway Uncredited
Don Juan Quilligan Customer at Mossrock's Uncredited
The Jungle Captive Bill
On Stage Everybody George Uncredited
The Hidden Eye Whitey
Shadow of Terror Joe Walters
Life with Blondie Mailman Uncredited
San Antonio Gawking Townsman Uncredited
1946 Meet Me on Broadway Waiter Uncredited
The Notorious Lone Wolf Detective Jones Uncredited
The Flying Serpent Jerry 'Jonsey' Jones
Cinderella Jones Truck Driver Uncredited
Renegades Stagecoach Driver Uncredited
Blonde Alibi Ambulance Attendant Uncredited
Bad Bascomb Corporal Finch Uncredited
Inside Job Jerry Uncredited
Chick Carter, Detective Spud Warner
Danger Woman Reporter Uncredited
The Bamboo Blonde M.P. Sergeant Uncredited
Three Little Girls in Blue Josh Uncredited
Wake Up and Dream Bus Driver Uncredited
Gallant Bess Chief Petty Officer Uncredited
Heldorado Carnival Shooting Gallery Attendant
Lady in the Lake Ed - Coroner Uncredited
1947 Blondie's Big Moment Mailman Uncredited
The Sea of Grass Cattleman Uncredited
Suddenly, It's Spring Man Retrieving Pajamas Uncredited
Buck Privates Come Home Soldier Uncredited
Blondie's Holiday Postman
Bells of San Angelo Bus Driver
Swing the Western Way Mr. Spraggs
Wyoming Nester Uncredited
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Wells Fargo Cowboy Uncredited
Down to Earth Stage Hand Uncredited
Exposed Policeman at Bentry Mansion Door Uncredited
Black Gold Colonel Caldwell's Ranch Foreman Uncredited
Blondie in the Dough Postman
The Fabulous Texan Telegrapher Uncredited
Roses Are Red Reporter Uncredited
Bandits of Dark Canyon Stage Passenger Faraday
Blondie's Anniversary Mailman Uncredited
1948 Slippy McGee Charlie
G-Men Never Forget 'Fiddler' - Used Car Salesman
Black Bart Elkins Uncredited
Song of Idaho Hash Brown
Blondie's Reward Mr. Johnson
The Timber Trail Telegraph Operator
Coroner Creek Bit Uncredited
Northwest Stampede Hamburger Vendor Uncredited
The Return of October Stable Boy Uncredited
Leather Gloves Duke
Bungalow 13 José Fernando
Smoky Mountain Melody Jenkins
Blondie's Secret Mr. Beasley
1949 Blondie's Big Deal Mr. Beasley
Home in San Antone Postman Uncredited
Johnny Allegro Sam Uncredited
Miss Grant Takes Richmond Bus Driver Uncredited
1950 The Milkman Herman Schultz Uncredited
1951 Painting the Clouds with Sunshine Golden Egg Doorman Uncredited
1952 Stop, You're Killing Me Cab Driver Uncredited; final role

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1950 The Lone Ranger Sheriff Episode: "Sheep Thieves"

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Day's Best Hollywood Story". Toledo Blade. January 12, 1948. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Mayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. p. 26. ISBN 9780786477623. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  3. ^ Obituary: DeKalb Acuff, The Pemiscot Argus, Caruthersville, MO., p. 6, 24 Feb. 1916
  4. ^ "Eddie Acuff in picture Sun.-Mon". Caruthersville Journal. Missouri, Caruthersville. July 1, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Eddie Acuff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  6. ^ Percy, Eileen (June 4, 1935). "Warners Sign Stage Comic". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 8. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Eddie Acuff Returns As Postman in 'Blondie' Series". The Owensboro Messenger. Kentucky, Owensboro. August 22, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Cline, William C. (1997). In the Nick of Time: Motion Picture Sound Serials. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786404711. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  9. ^ Resting Places: The Burial Places of 14,000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eddie Acuff.


Stub icon

This article about a United States film actor born in the 1900s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eddie_Acuff&oldid=1161689681"