Charles Henry Simpson, later known as Mickey Simpson, was born to Fred and Bertha Rogers Simpson in Rochester, New York, with Irish heritage on his father's side. As the eldest of four sons, including one who sadly passed away in childhood, Mickey's life was marked by his family's struggles following the 1929 stock market crash. His mother, a waitress, took on the responsibility of supporting the family, while his father, unable to find work, considered alternative career paths.
Growing up, Mickey developed into a towering figure and even considered a career in boxing, earning him the nickname "Mickey." According to some sources, he was the 1935 "New York City Heavyweight Boxing Champion," although official records only confirm two fights in Los Angeles in 1939, both of which he lost.
In the late 1930s, Mickey arrived in Los Angeles, where he reportedly worked as a chauffeur for actress Claudette Colbert. His early Hollywood career saw him land bit parts, including a role in the 1939 film "Stagecoach," directed by John Ford, who would become a significant figure in his career.
Mickey's subsequent film work primarily consisted of playing guards, cops, bouncers, and thugs, until his career was interrupted by World War II. During his time in the U.S. Army, he reportedly served with distinction. Upon his return to Hollywood, John Ford once again played a crucial role in his career, casting him in a small but notable role as one of Walter Brennan's sons in the 1946 film "My Darling Clementine."
Throughout his career, Mickey would appear in a total of nine John Ford films, including the 1956 classic "Giant," in which he played the memorable role of Sarge, a racist diner owner who brutally attacks Rock Hudson near the film's conclusion.
Mickey continued to work in the film industry, primarily in lesser roles, until his 57th year. He even appeared in a short film, "Gents in a Jam," alongside The Three Stooges. In his later years, Mickey passed away on September 23, 1985, at the age of 71, due to heart failure, and was buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in Los Angeles.
