Richard M. Wessel, born in 1913 in Wisconsin, was a rugged and imposing actor who made a name for himself in Hollywood during the late 1930s and 1940s. With his thick build, bulldog-like mug, and fierce scowl, he was often cast as brutish gangsters, henchmen, and convicts, as well as rough-hewn cops and streetwise characters.
Wessel began his career on stage before transitioning to films in the mid-1930s, initially appearing in unbilled extra roles. He went on to play a wide range of characters, from menacing villains to rough-around-the-edges everymen, with names like "Monk," "Beans," "Moxie," and "Chopper Kane" that spoke to his tough-guy persona.
One of his most notable roles was as Harry "Cueball" Lake, a menacing arch-villain in the 1946 film Dick Tracy vs. Cueball. However, this showcase performance did not lead to more substantial roles.
Wessel became a stock player for Columbia Pictures, appearing in a slew of short comedy subjects, including films featuring The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, and others. He also made appearances on several popular television western series, including Gunsmoke, Laramie, Rawhide, and Bonanza.
In the later years of his career, Wessel landed a regular role on the adventure series Riverboat, starring alongside Darren McGavin. His final role was released posthumously, in the 1966 film The Ugly Dachshund, in which he played a frantic garbage man.
Wessel passed away at the age of 52, due to a heart attack at his Hollywood home. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
