Next person biography:
Irving Bacon was a minor character actor who appeared in hundreds of films, showcasing his versatility in a wide range of roles. Born on September 6, 1893, in St. Joseph, Missouri, he was the son of Millar and Myrtle (Vane) Bacon. Irving began his career in silent comedy shorts at Keystone Studios, often playing older than his actual age, and was a utility player for Mack Sennett in various slapstick comedies.
Irving made a seamless transition to sound films and went on to appear in numerous feature-length movies. While he occasionally played higher-ranking characters, such as the Secretary of the Navy, police inspector, mayor, or judge, his signature roles were those of friendly, servile characters like mailmen, milkmen, clerks, chauffeurs, cab drivers, bartenders, soda jerks, carnival operators, handymen, and doctors.
Throughout his career, Irving blended in with the town crowd, becoming a familiar face in many beloved Hollywood classics, including Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936),San Francisco (1936),You Can't Take It with You (1938),and A Star Is Born (1954). He also appeared in the Blondie (1938) film series, playing a beleaguered postman over a decade.
Irving's television credits include westerns like Laramie (1959) and Wagon Train (1957),as well as comedies like December Bride (1954) and The Real McCoys (1957). He even made a couple of memorable appearances on I Love Lucy (1951),playing an older man in two distinct roles.
Irving Bacon passed away on February 5, 1965, leaving behind a legacy of over 400 feature films. Despite his extensive work in the industry, he remained a humble and versatile character actor, always willing to lend his talents to a wide range of roles.
