Morris Ankrum, a University of Southern California School of Law graduate, initially pursued a career as an attorney and economics professor before transitioning to the world of theater. By the time he entered the film industry in the 1930s, he was a seasoned stage actor with a wealth of experience. Over the course of his 31-year film career, spanning from 1933 to 1964, Ankrum appeared in an impressive 279 films and television shows.
During his time in Hollywood, Ankrum found himself drawn to westerns, taking on a wide range of roles, from Native American chiefs to corrupt bankers. He is perhaps most fondly remembered for his villainous turns in Paramount's popular Hopalong Cassidy film series. Ankrum appeared in several films within this series, including North of the Rio Grande (1937),Hills of Old Wyoming (1937),Pirates on Horseback (1941),Three Men from Texas (1940),Borderland (1937),and Hopalong Cassidy Returns (1936),among others.
In addition to his work in westerns, Ankrum's filmography is marked by a diverse range of roles in both low-budget "B" pictures and big-budget blockbusters. It was during the 1950s that he truly found his niche in the science-fiction genre, where his authoritative voice and no-nonsense demeanor made him a natural fit for roles such as Col. Fielding in the classic Invaders from Mars (1953).
In the latter stages of his career, Ankrum transitioned to television, appearing in a wide range of popular series, including Bonanza (1959),The Rifleman (1958),Rawhide (1959),Cheyenne (1955),Gunsmoke (1955),The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955),Maverick (1957),Have Gun - Will Travel (1957),Sea Hunt (1958),and over a dozen more. Towards the end of his career, from 1957 to 1964, Ankrum had a recurring role as a judge in 22 episodes of the Perry Mason (1957) television series.
