Ben Welden

Ben Welden

Deceased · Born: Jun 12, 1901 · Died: Oct 17, 1997

Personal Details

BornJun 12, 1901 Toledo, Ohio, USA
Parents
  • Anna Feldstein Weinblatt
  • Frank Weinblatt

Biography

Noted character actor of distinctly American persona, Welden's cinematic journey began with several films in Britain before he returned to the United States to establish a career as a recognizable figure in American movies.

Standing at a compact height, with a balding head and a robust physique reminiscent of a tank, Welden's streetwise demeanor and distinctive Damon Runyan accent made him a natural fit for playing a wide range of gangsters and small-time hoods, often with a comedic twist.

Throughout his career, Welden made a lasting impression on the silver screen, taking on various roles that showcased his versatility as an actor. One of his most notable performances was as the henchman who mercilessly beats Bette Davis in the 1937 film Marked Woman, followed by his role as the assassin who gunned down Elia Kazan in City for Conquest (1940).

In addition to his acting career, Welden also had a successful sideline as the owner of Nutcorn, a popular confectionery in Beverly Hills. After retiring from acting in his sixties, Welden left behind a legacy as a familiar face in American movies, known for his memorable performances as crooks on the classic television series Adventures of Superman (1952).

Career

1957
Spook Chasers
Spook Chasers as Henchman Ziggie
The Crooked Circle
The Crooked Circle as Ring Announcer (uncredited)
Night Passage
Night Passage as Pete (uncredited)
1956
Hidden Guns
Hidden Guns as Ben Peabody
1954
Killers from Space
Killers from Space as Tar Baby 2 Pilot (bit)
1953
The Veils of Bagdad
The Veils of Bagdad as Stout Wrestler (uncredited)
All Ashore
All Ashore as Hugo - Bartender
Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay as Fisherman (uncredited)
1952
Three Dark Horses
Three Dark Horses as Jim Digger
1951
My True Story
My True Story as Buzz Edwards
The Lady and the Bandit
The Lady and the Bandit as Barkeep in Pub
Rhubarb
Rhubarb as Oily Moe - Bookie (uncredited)
The Lemon Drop Kid
The Lemon Drop Kid as Singing Solly
1950
The Jackie Robinson Story
The Jackie Robinson Story as Tough Lodge Member in Stands (uncredited)
1949
Sorrowful Jones
Sorrowful Jones as Big Steve's Bodyguard
Fighting Fools
Fighting Fools as Lefty Conlin
Impact
Impact as Moving Van Helper
Tell It to the Judge
Tell It to the Judge as Augie (uncredited)
The Threat
The Threat as Tony Anzio (uncredited)
1948
Lady at Midnight
Lady at Midnight as Willie Gold
Appointment with Murder
Appointment with Murder as Martin Minecci
Jinx Money
Jinx Money as Benny the Meatball
The Noose Hangs High
The Noose Hangs High as Stewart (uncredited)
Here Comes Trouble
Here Comes Trouble as Rankin (uncredited)
My Dear Secretary
My Dear Secretary as Bookie (uncredited)
1947
Little Miss Broadway
Little Miss Broadway as Cash Monahan
Too Many Winners
Too Many Winners as Gil Madden / Theodore Ross
Blackmail
Blackmail as Bartender
Sinbad, the Sailor
Sinbad, the Sailor as Commoner (uncredited)
1946
The Last Crooked Mile
The Last Crooked Mile as Haynes, a thug
Mr. Hex
Mr. Hex as Bull Laguna (as Ben Weldon)
The Man I Love
The Man I Love as Jack Atlas (uncredited)
Angel on My Shoulder
Angel on My Shoulder as Shaggsy (uncredited)
The Big Sleep
The Big Sleep as Pete (uncredited)
1945
The Missing Corpse
The Missing Corpse as "Slippery Joe" Clary
Midnight Manhunt
Midnight Manhunt as Hotel Manager (Uncredited)
1944
The Desert Hawk
The Desert Hawk as Omar, the Beggar
1942
Bullet Scars
Bullet Scars as Pills Davis
Stand by for Action
Stand by for Action as Chief Quartermaster Rankin
Dangerously They Live
Dangerously They Live as Eddie, Nazi Henchman
I'll Wait for You
I'll Wait for You as Dr. Anderson
Knockout
Knockout as Pelky
Strange Alibi
Strange Alibi as Fido Durkin
Manpower
Manpower as Al Hurst
Men of Boys Town
Men of Boys Town as Superintendent
The Strawberry Blonde
The Strawberry Blonde as Reluctant Convict Dental Patient (uncredited)
1940
Wolf of New York
Wolf of New York as Owney McGill
The Earl of Chicago
The Earl of Chicago as Silky's Driver (uncredited)
Boys' Reformatory
Boys' Reformatory as Mike Hearn
The Star Maker
The Star Maker as Joe Gimlick
The Roaring Twenties
The Roaring Twenties as Tavern Proprietor (uncredited)
1938
Mystery House
Mystery House as Gerald Frawley
Smashing the Rackets
Smashing the Rackets as Whitey Clark
10th Ave Kid
10th Ave Kid as Marty Dayton
Prison Nurse
Prison Nurse as Gaffney
The Saint in New York
The Saint in New York as Boots 'Pappy' Papinoff
Breakdowns of 1938
Breakdowns of 1938 as Ben (archive footage) (uncredited)
Gateway
Gateway as Motorboat Man
Always Goodbye
Always Goodbye as 1st New York Taxi Driver
Happy Landing
Happy Landing as Rink Manager
1937
Back in Circulation
Back in Circulation as Sam Sherman
Kid Galahad
Kid Galahad as Buzz Barett
Confession
Confession as Defense Attorney
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island as Richard 'Red' Carroll
Love Is on the Air
Love Is on the Air as 'Nicey' Ferguson
That Certain Woman
That Certain Woman as Headwaiter Harry Aqueilli (uncredited)
Marked Woman
Marked Woman as Charlie Delaney
1935
Phantom Ship
Phantom Ship as Boas 'Sailor' Hoffman
1934