Bob Steele was a renowned American Western star and character actor whose illustrious career spanned an impressive six decades. Born into a family of performers, he began his journey in vaudeville alongside his parents, and later, alongside his twin brother Bill Bradbury, they appeared in a series of 16 semi-documentary short films directed by their father, The Adventures of Bob and Bill.
As Bob Bradbury Jr., he initially played juvenile roles in silent films, before adopting the stage name Bob Steele in 1927. Throughout the 1930s, he appeared in a multitude of films, rising to the ranks of B-Western stardom and solidifying his position as one of Republic Studios' top draws. Occasionally, he made appearances in more prominent films, such as his role as Curly in the iconic 1939 film Of Mice and Men.
However, he remained primarily known for his work in Westerns. His stardom began to wane by the mid-1940s, and he spent the next quarter-century in character roles, some of which were highly visible, such as his part in The Big Sleep (1946). Nevertheless, he continued to appear in films, including the 1965 picture Shenandoah, where he played a virtual extra.
Steele also had a successful career in television, regaining some fame in his role as Trooper Duffy in the popular 1965 series F Troop. Unfortunately, he passed away at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California, following a long illness.
