Russell Simpson

Known for ActingBorn 1880-06-16Died 1959-12-12Danville, California, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell McCaskill Simpson (June 17, 1880, Danville, California – December 12, 1959, Woodland Hills, California) was an American character actor who appeared in over 500 movies. He is best known for his "grizzled old man" appearances. Gaunt, lanky, and rustic-sounding, Simpson was a familiar character actor for almost forty-five years, particularly as a member of the John Ford Stock Company. At age 18 Simpson prospected for gold in Alaska. He began taking acting classes in Seattle, Washington. In 1910 he married Gertrude Alter from New York City. By 1909, he had gone into the theatre. He appeared in at least two plays on Broadway between 1909 and 1912, and made his motion picture debut in Cecil B. DeMille's 1914 original film version of The Virginian in a bit part. By 1923, when the film was remade, Simpson had progressed to playing the lead villain. Throughout his career, Simpson worked for 12 years in road shows, stock companies, and on Broadway. He didn't usually perform lead roles, but he did star in many movies throughout the silent movie era. He performed a lead role as the grandfather in Out of the Dust (1920). Simpson is best known for his work in the films of John Ford and, in particular, for his portrayal of Pa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940). His final film was The Horse Soldiers, his tenth film for Ford. Simpson worked up to 1959, the year of his death. He was the president of the Overseas Phonograph Accessories Corporation.Read more

Movies & web series

Sundown in Santa Fe

Roaring Guns

Man Hunt

Ridin' for Justice

The Sap

The Bushranger

Wild Geese

Painted People

The Kingdom Within

Human Hearts

Rags to Riches

Lahoma

Fighting Cressy

The Ghost of Crossbone Canyon

Citadel of Crime

The Harvester

Back to Nature

Ever Since Eve

All Faces West

Noisy Neighbors

The Frontiersman

Rustlin' for Cupid

Why Women Love

Old Shoes

Hearts Aflame

Snowblind

Under the Lash

Desert Gold

Meet Me at the Fair

Shut My Big Mouth

Wild West Days

The Honor of the Press

After the Fog

Innocents of Paris

Tropical Nights

The Earth Woman

Lovey Mary

The Social Highwayman

The Narrow Street

Tuna Clipper

The Huntress

The Girl of the Golden West

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Across the Dead-Line

Bunty Pulls the Strings

The Grapes of Wrath

The Challenge Accepted

Oh, Johnny!