1910-02-10 ( 115 years old ) in Princeton, Illinois, USA
Douglas Spencer (born July 4, 1910 – March 5, 1960) was an American actor, best known for his roles in classic science fiction films and film noirs during the 1940s and 1950s.
Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theater before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time.
Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles.
In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood.
Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama.
Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries.
Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films.
Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.
Movies
The Sins of Rachel Cade
1961-04-02
The Diary of Anne Frank
1959-03-18
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
1958-03-30
Saddle the Wind
1958-03-20
The Three Faces of Eve
1957-12-19
Short Cut to Hell
1957-09-01
Omar Khayyam
1957-08-23
The Unholy Wife
1957-06-24
Man from Del Rio
1956-10-30
Pardners
1956-08-01
A Man Alone
1955-10-17
The Kentuckian
1955-07-22
This Island Earth
1955-06-01
Smoke Signal
1955-03-01
The Raid
1954-08-04
River of No Return
1954-04-30
Houdini
1953-07-02
Shane
1953-04-23
Trouble Along the Way
1953-04-04
The Glass Wall
1953-03-19
She's Back on Broadway
1953-03-14
Monkey Business
1952-09-03
Untamed Frontier
1952-07-23
Something to Live For
1952-03-07
Warpath
1951-11-22
Come Fill the Cup
1951-10-24
A Place in the Sun
1951-06-12
The Thing from Another World
1951-04-05
The Redhead and The Cowboy
1951-03-15
Union Station
1950-10-04
Father of the Bride
1950-05-18
My Friend Irma
1949-10-14
The Heiress
1949-10-06
Trapped
1949-09-27
Red, Hot and Blue
1949-09-05
Follow Me Quietly
1949-07-07
It Happens Every Spring
1949-06-10
Bride of Vengeance
1949-04-07
Alias Nick Beal
1949-03-04
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
1948-08-20
The Sainted Sisters
1948-04-30
The Big Clock
1948-03-18
Adventure Island
1947-08-13
The Dark Corner
1946-04-09
The Lost Weekend
1945-11-29
Kitty
1945-10-16
Incendiary Blonde
1945-07-25
Double Indemnity
1944-07-06
Princess O'Rourke
1943-10-23
Fall In
1942-11-20
A Date with the Falcon
1942-01-16
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941-11-28
Lady Scarface
1941-09-26
Little Nellie Kelly
1940-11-22
Christmas in July
1940-10-25
Men Against the Sky
1940-09-06
Lucky Partners
1940-08-02
Allegheny Uprising
1939-11-10
The Day the Bookies Wept
1939-09-13
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