Richard Alexander, an actor with a filmography spanning 307 films and TV series episodes, had a career that was marked by a lack of memorable roles. Despite his early promise, he was relegated to playing minor and often repetitive characters, including henchmen and tough guys. Alexander's tall figure, strong build, and square-jawed face, which could have been assets, ultimately worked against him, as casting directors failed to recognize his range and versatility.
Born in 1902, Alexander began his career in the late 1920s, with early supporting roles alongside notable actresses such as Olga Baclanova, Bebe Daniels, and Greta Garbo. He also appeared in Lewis Milestone's anti-war masterpiece, "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930),as a German soldier. However, this was to be his last notable role, as he was subsequently typecast as a henchman or tough guy in numerous westerns and B-movies.
Alexander's career was marked by a lack of diversity, with the majority of his roles being similar in nature. He was often credited as a strong, big, burly, or tough guy, and his performances, while adequate, lacked the depth and nuance that he had demonstrated early in his career. The Flash Gordon serial (1936) was a rare exception, allowing him to play a more varied character as Prince Barin, Buster Crabbe's loyal ally.
Despite his lack of recognition, Alexander continued to work in the film industry until his retirement at the age of 72. He also became an active member of the Screen Actors Guild, representing Hollywood extras. Richard Alexander passed away in 1989 at the age of 86, his 307 screen appearances largely forgotten.
