Charles King's remarkable career in silent films showcased his versatility, as he took on a wide range of roles, including comedy shorts for Universal in the 1920s. However, it was his iconic portrayal of villains in sound westerns during the 1930s and 1940s that cemented his legendary status.
His unmistakable appearance, featuring a jowly face, beady eyes, a Texas accent, a droopy walrus mustache, and an overhanging beer belly, became synonymous with B westerns, particularly those produced by PRC Pictures. The instant recognition of his on-screen presence signified that he would inevitably meet his demise before the final reel.
Occasionally, King would play the role of the head of the gang, but more often than not, he would be cast as a hired gun or, on rare occasions, "middle management." The comedic masterpiece Blazing Saddles (1974) features a memorable line where Gene Wilder exclaims, "I've killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille"; it's doubtful that anyone has been killed more times in films than Charles King.
Throughout his career, King was subjected to an impressive array of violent fates, including being shot, beaten up, run over, thrown off cliffs, and blown up by the likes of John Wayne, Buster Crabbe, Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and numerous other actors who shared the screen with him. If he had appeared in a Shirley Temple film, it's likely that she would have found a way to dispatch him as well.
After a remarkable career as a punching bag, piñata, and moving target for many of Hollywood's top actors, Charles King finally retired his boots in 1957. Sadly, he passed away in May of that year due to cirrhosis of the liver, bringing an end to his illustrious and often brutal on-screen journey.
