JOHN QUALEN
INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Date of birth
8 December 1899
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Date of death
12 September 1987
Torrance, California, USA. (heart failure)
Birth name
Johan Mandt Kvalen
Sometimes Credited As:
John M. Qualen / John T. Qualen
Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)
Spouse
Pearle Larson (1924 - ?) 3 daughters
Trivia
Though some reference works list his birth name as Oleson or Olson, in actuality Qualen's grandfather changed the family name from Olson to Kvalen long before Qualen's birth. Qualen's father subsequently changed the name from Kvalen to Qualen, after Qualen's birth. Originally pronounced identically to the previous spelling ("Kvah-len"), John Qualen himself changed the pronunciation to "Kway-len."
Of Norwegian parentage.
In 1930, although working in New York, his home base was at 328 Sidney Street West, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mini Biography
One of the best and most familiar character actors of the first four decades of sound films, although few who knew his face also knew his name. John Qualen was born in Canada to Norwegian parents. His father was a minister. The family moved to the United States and Qualen (whose real name was Kvalen) grew up in Elgin, Illinois. He won an oratory contest and was given a scholarship to Northwestern University. His interest in acting was piqued there, and he began appearing in tent shows on the Lyceum-Chautauqua circuit, and in stock. He went to New York in 1929 and got his big break as the Swedish janitor in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. He repeated the role two years later in the film version. That same year he first worked for director John Ford in Arrowsmith (1931). He became a member of Ford's famed "stock company, and had prominent roles for Ford for the next thirty-five years. He became a most familiar character player, specializing in Scandinavians of various nationalities, but frequently playing a wide variety of other ethnicities. Perhaps his greatest work among many memorable roles was as the pitiful Muley, who recounts the destruction of his farm by the bank in Ford's masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath (1940). Although plagued in his later years by failing eyesight, he continued to work steadily into his final years. He was treasurer of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers, Hollywood's famed social group for actors. He had three children, Elizabeth, Kathleen, and Meredith. Qualen died in 1987.
Jim Beaver
Filmography
Actor
1. "Movin' On"
- Lifeline (1974) TV Episode
2. Frasier, the Sensuous Lion (1973) .... Old Man on Porch
3. "The Odd Couple"
- Sometimes a Great Ocean (1973) TV Episode .... Mr. Larson
- A Grave for Felix (1971) TV Episode .... Groundskeeper
- A Taste of Money (1971) TV Episode .... Sam
4. Wednesday Night Out (1972) (TV)
5. Getting Away from It All (1972) (TV) .... Charlie Erickson
6. "Medical Center" - Countdown (1971) TV Episode .... Charlie
7. "Disneyland"
... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title)
... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title)
... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title)
... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title)
- The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 3 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
- The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 2 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
- The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 1 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
- Those Calloways: Part 3 (1969) TV Episode .... Ernie Evans
- Those Calloways: Part 2 (1969) TV Episode .... Ernie Evans
(1 more)
8. "Green Acres"
- The Ex-Con (1970) TV Episode .... Willie Dunhill
- Eb's Romance (1968) TV Episode .... Mr. Appleby
9. Hail, Hero! (1969) .... Billy Hurd
10. Doc (1969) (TV) .... Luke
11. Firecreek (1968) .... Hall
12. P.J. (1968)
... aka New Face in Hell (UK)
13. "I Spy"
- Red Sash of Courage (1967) TV Episode .... Hannos
14. The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967) .... Barber
15. "Shane"
- The Hant (1966) TV Episode .... Old Man
16. "Jericho"
- Dutch and Go (1966) TV Episode
17. A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966) .... Jesse Buford
... aka Big Deal at Dodge City (UK)
18. "Burke's Law"
... aka Amos Burke, Secret Agent (USA: new title)
- Terror in a Tiny Town: Part 2 (1966) TV Episode .... Richard Prince
- Terror in a Tiny Town: Part 1 (1966) TV Episode .... Richard Prince
19. "The Donna Reed Show"
- My Son, the Councilman (1966) TV Episode .... Zeke
20. "Mister Ed"
- Ed the Bridegroom (1965) TV Episode .... Justice of the Peace
- Ed's New Shoes (1961) TV Episode .... Axel the Handyman
- Pine Lake Lodge (1961) TV Episode .... Milo
21. A Patch of Blue (1965) .... Mr. Faber
22. Sally and Sam (1965) (TV) .... Picket
23. The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) .... Charlie Biller
24. I'll Take Sweden (1965) .... Olaf
25. "Ben Casey"
- A Horse Named Stravinsky (1965) TV Episode .... John Paul McGarrity
- The White Ones Are Dolphins (1963) TV Episode .... Mr. Wren
26. Those Calloways (1965) .... Ernie Evans
27. "Dr. Kildare"
- An Exchange of Gifts (1964) TV Episode .... Callahan
28. Cheyenne Autumn (1964) (uncredited) .... Swenson
... aka John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (USA: complete title)
29. "The Virginian"
... aka The Men from Shiloh (new title)
- A Bride for Lars (1964) TV Episode .... Gosta Swenson
30. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) .... Luther Lindquist
... aka The Secret World of Dr. Lao
31. "Make Room for Daddy"
... aka The Danny Thomas Show (new title)
- Sense of Humor (1964) TV Episode .... Swenson, the Janitor
32. "My Favorite Martian"
- Now You See It, Now You Don't (1964) TV Episode .... Matt, Security Guard
33. "The Real McCoys" (1957) TV Series .... Frank, the Howards Handyman (1963)
... aka The McCoys
34. The Prize (1963) .... Oscar (Welcome Basket)
35. "The Third Man"
- An Act of Atonement (1963) TV Episode
36. Donovan's Reef (1963) (uncredited) .... Deck hand who cries 'Man Overboard'
37. "The Wide Country"
- Whose Hand at My Throat? (1963) TV Episode .... Henry Demeter
38. "Laramie"
- Shadow of the Past (1962) TV Episode
39. "Lawman"
... aka The Lawman (USA: alternative title)
- Explosion (1962) TV Episode
- Blind Hate (1961) TV Episode
- Old Stefano (1960) TV Episode
40. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) .... Peter Ericson
41. "The Andy Griffith Show"
... aka Andy of Mayberry (USA: rerun title)
- The Jinx (1962) TV Episode .... Henry Bennett
42. "Maverick"
- The Golden Fleecing (1961) TV Episode .... Henry Albright
- Lonesome Reunion (1958) TV Episode .... Leland Mills
43. "Bonanza"
... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
- Springtime (1961) TV Episode .... Parley
44. Two Rode Together (1961) .... Ole Knudsen
45. "The Barbara Stanwyck Show"
- Big Jake (1961) TV Episode .... Sam Lundborg
46. "Thriller"
... aka Boris Karloff's Thriller
- Mr. George (1961) TV Episode .... Mr. George
47. "Klondike"
- Queen of the Klondike (1961) TV Episode .... Larsen
48. North to Alaska (1960) .... Logger
49. "Sea Hunt"
- Changing Patterns (1960) TV Episode
50. Elmer Gantry (1960) (uncredited) .... Sam (storekeeper)
51. "Sugarfoot"
... aka Tenderfoot (UK)
- Funeral at Forty Mile (1960) TV Episode .... Jens Jensen
52. "Overland Trail"
... aka Overland Stage
- Lawyer in Petticoats (1960) TV Episode
53. Hell Bent for Leather (1960) .... Old Ben
54. "The Gale Storm Show"
... aka Oh! Susanna
- Love by Yiminy (1960) TV Episode .... Olaf Hansen
- The Swedish Steward (1959) TV Episode .... Olaf Hansen
55. "The Alaskans"
- Starvation Stampede (1959) TV Episode .... Jack Despain
56. "Bronco"
- The Burning Springs (1959) TV Episode .... Mr. Colby
57. "Tightrope"
- The Cracking Point (1959) TV Episode .... Lucas
58. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) .... Deputy Sheriff Sulo
59. "The Californians"
- Stampede at Misery Flats (1959) TV Episode .... Vinegar Pete Jones
- J. Jimmerson Jones, Inc. (1958) TV Episode .... J. Jimmerson Jones
60. "Yancy Derringer"
- Old Dixie (1958) TV Episode .... Captain Sven Larsen
- Gallatin Street (1958) TV Episode .... Captain Sven Larsen
61. Revolt in the Big House (1958) .... Doc
62. The Gun Runners (1958) .... Pop, pawnbroker-casino operator
... aka Gunrunners (International: English title)
63. My World Dies Screaming (1958) .... Jonah Snell
... aka Terror in the Haunted House
64. The Big Land (1957) .... Sven Johnson
... aka Stampeded (UK)
65. "Cheyenne"
- Deadline (1957) TV Episode .... Charley Dolan
66. "December Bride"
- Royalty (1957) TV Episode .... The Count
67. "The Millionaire"
... aka If You Had a Million
- The Charles Hartford Simpson Story (1956) TV Episode .... Jackson
68. "Climax!"
... aka Climax Mystery Theater (USA)
- The Fog (1956) TV Episode .... Geist
69. Johnny Concho (1956) .... Jake
70. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"
- Help Wanted (1956) TV Episode .... Mr. Crabtree
- Shopping for Death (1956) TV Episode .... Insurance Salesman
- A Bullet for Baldwin (1956) TV Episode .... Mr. Stepp
71. The Searchers (1956) .... Lars Jorgensen
72. At Gunpoint (1955) .... Livingstone
... aka Gunpoint! (UK)
73. "Science Fiction Theater"
- Death at Two A.M. (1955) TV Episode .... Prof. Avery
74. The Sea Chase (1955) .... Chief Engineer Schmitt
75. Unchained (1955) .... Leonard Haskins
76. Passion (1954) .... Gaspar Melo
77. "The Ford Television Theatre"
... aka Ford Theatre (USA: short title)
- Girl in Flight (1954) TV Episode .... Francois
78. The Other Woman (1954) .... Papasha
79. "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse"
... aka Action Tonight (USA: syndication title)
- Portrait of Tobey (1954) TV Episode
80. The High and the Mighty (1954) .... Jose Locota
81. The Student Prince (1954) .... Prof. Willie Klauber
82. "The Philco Television Playhouse"
... aka Arena Theatre (USA: new title)
... aka Repertory Theatre (USA: new title)
... aka The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (USA: new title)
- Adapt or Die (1954) TV Episode .... Gus Gruntle
83. "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars"
... aka Herald Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
... aka Schlitz Playhouse (USA: new title)
... aka The Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
- The Whale on the Beach (1954) TV Episode
84. "The Public Defender"
- The Prize Fighter Story (1954) TV Episode .... Ames
85. "Dragnet"
... aka Badge 714 (USA: syndication title)
- The Big Revolt (1953) TV Episode
- The Big Fire (1953) TV Episode
86. I, the Jury (1953) .... Dr. R.H. Vickers, Veterinarian
87. "General Electric Theater"
... aka G.E. Theatre (USA)
- Thirteen O'Clock (1953) TV Episode
88. Francis Covers the Big Town (1953) (uncredited) .... Defense Attorney Cavendish
89. Ambush at Tomahawk Gap (1953) .... Jonas P. Travis
90. Hans Christian Andersen (1952) .... Burgomaster
91. "The Schaefer Century Theatre"
- Portrait of Toby (1952) TV Episode
92. "Celanese Theatre"
- Anna Christie (1952) TV Episode
93. Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) .... Professor Dingley
94. "Stars Over Hollywood"
- Son of the Rock (1951) TV Episode
95. Belle Le Grand (1951) .... Corky McGee
96. The Flying Missile (1950) .... Lars Hansen
... aka The Flying Fish (USA)
97. Woman on the Run (1950) .... Mailbus
98. The Jackpot (1950) (uncredited) .... Mr. Ferguson
99. Buccaneer's Girl (1950) .... Vegetable Man
100. Captain China (1950) .... Geech
101. The Big Steal (1949) .... Julius Seton
102. Hollow Triumph (1948) .... Swangron
... aka The Scar (UK)
103. 16 Fathoms Deep (1948) .... Capt. Athos
104. My Girl Tisa (1948) .... Svenson
105. On Our Merry Way (1948) (scenes deleted) .... Mr. Atwood
... aka A Miracle Can Happen (USA)
106. Alias a Gentleman (1948) .... No End
107. Reaching from Heaven (1948) .... Immigrant
108. The Fugitive (1947) .... A Refugee Doctor
... aka Fugitivo, El (Mexico)
109. High Conquest (1947) .... Peter Oberwalder Sr.
110. Song of Scheherazade (1947) .... Lorenzo
111. Adventure (1945) .... Model T
112. Captain Kidd (1945) .... Bart Blivens
113. River Gang (1945) .... Uncle Bill
... aka Fairy Tale Murder (UK)
114. Roughly Speaking (1945) .... Svend Olsen
115. An American Romance (1944) .... Anton Dubechek
116. The Impostor (1944) .... Monge
... aka Bayonet Charge (USA: reissue title)
... aka Strange Confession (USA: new title)
117. Dark Waters (1944) .... Uncle Norbert
118. Swing Shift Maisie (1943) .... Horatio Curley
... aka The Girl in Overalls (UK)
119. Arabian Nights (1942) .... Aladdin
120. Casablanca (1942) .... Berger
121. Tortilla Flat (1942) .... Jose Maria Corcoran
122. Larceny, Inc. (1942) .... Sam Bachrach
123. Jungle Book (1942) .... The barber
... aka Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book
124. The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) .... Miser Stevens
... aka A Certain Mr. Scratch (USA: alternative title)
... aka All That Money Can Buy (USA: bible belt title)
... aka Daniel and the Devil (USA: reissue title)
... aka Here Is a Man (USA: preview title)
125. New Wine (1941) .... Hasslinger's Clerk
... aka The Great Awakening (UK)
... aka The Melody Master (USA: reissue title)
126. The Shepherd of the Hills (1941) .... Coot Royal
127. Out of the Fog (1941) .... Olaf Johnson
128. Million Dollar Baby (1941) .... Dr. Patterson, Chemist
129. Model Wife (1941) .... The Janitor
130. Youth Will Be Served (1940) .... Clem Howie
131. The Long Voyage Home (1940) .... Axel Swanson
132. Knute Rockne All American (1940) .... Lars Knutson Rockne
... aka A Modern Hero (UK)
133. Angels Over Broadway (1940) .... Charles Engle
134. Babies for Sale (1940) .... Howard Anderson
135. Brother Orchid (1940) (scenes deleted) .... Mr. Pigeon
136. On Their Own (1940) .... Peters
137. Ski Patrol (1940) .... Gustaf Nerkuu
138. Saturday's Children (1940) (uncredited) .... First Carpenter
139. Blondie on a Budget (1940) .... Mr. Ed Fuddle
140. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) .... Muley Graves
141. His Girl Friday (1940) .... Earl Williams
... aka Howard Hawks' His Girl Friday (USA: complete title)
142. Four Wives (1939) .... Frank, a Patient
143. Thunder Afloat (1939) .... Milo
144. Honeymoon in Bali (1939) (uncredited) .... Man
... aka Husbands or Lovers (UK)
... aka My Love for Yours (USA: video title)
145. Career (1939) (uncredited) .... Jeff Trotter
146. Mickey the Kid (1939) .... Mailman
... aka Mickey
147. Let Us Live! (1939) (uncredited) .... Dan
148. Stand Up and Fight (1939) .... Davy
149. Strange Case of Dr. Meade (1938) .... Stoner
150. Five of a Kind (1938) .... Asa Wyatt
151. The Mad Miss Manton (1938) .... Subway Watchman
152. The Chaser (1938) .... Lars
153. The Texans (1938) (uncredited) .... Swede
154. Joy of Living (1938) .... Oswego
155. The Bad Man of Brimstone (1937) .... Loco
156. Nothing Sacred (1937) (uncredited) .... Fireman
157. Fit for a King (1937) .... Otto
158. She Had to Eat (1937) .... Sleepy
159. Fifty Roads to Town (1937) .... Sheriff Dow
... aka Fifty Races to Town
160. Angel's Holiday (1937) .... Waldo
161. Seventh Heaven (1937) .... Sewer Rat
162. Reunion (1936) .... Asa Wyatt
163. Girls' Dormitory (1936) .... Toni
164. Meet Nero Wolfe (1936) .... Olaf
165. The Road to Glory (1936) .... Duflous
166. The Country Doctor (1936) .... Asa Wyatt
167. Wife vs. Secretary (1936) (uncredited) .... Mr. Jenkins, the Auditor
168. Ring Around the Moon (1936) .... Bill Harvey
169. Man of Iron (1935) .... Collins, a Factory Worker
170. Whipsaw (1935) .... Will Dabson
171. The Three Musketeers (1935) .... Planchet, d'Artagnan's Servant
172. Thunder in the Night (1935) .... Porter
173. Orchids to You (1935) .... Smith
174. Doubting Thomas (1935) .... Von Blitzen
175. Silk Hat Kid (1935) .... Mr. Fossbender
176. The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) .... Sol Tinker
177. Black Fury (1935) (as John T. Qualen) .... Mike Shemanski
178. Chasing Yesterday (1935) .... Aristide Coccoz
179. The Great Hotel Murder (1935) .... Ole
180. One More Spring (1935) .... Auctioneer
181. Charlie Chan in Paris (1935) .... Concierge, Dufresne's Hotel (bit)
182. 365 Nights in Hollywood (1934) .... Prof. Herman Ellenbogen
183. Servants' Entrance (1934) .... Detective
184. Straight Is the Way (1934) (uncredited) .... Mr. Clapman
185. Our Daily Bread (1934) .... Chris
... aka Hell's Crossroads (USA)
... aka The Miracle of Life (USA)
186. He Was Her Man (1934) .... Dutch, Santa Avila's Cabbie
187. Private Scandal (1934) (uncredited) .... Schultz
188. Upperworld (1934) .... Chris, the Janitor
189. Sing and Like It (1934) .... Oswald
190. Hi, Nellie! (1934) (uncredited) .... Steve
191. Let's Fall in Love (1933) (uncredited) .... Svente Bjorkman
... aka Scarlet Blonde (USA)
192. Counsellor at Law (1933) .... Johan Breitstein
193. The Devil's Brother (1933) (uncredited) .... Bull owner
... aka Bogus Bandits (USA: reissue title)
... aka Fra Diavolo (UK)
... aka The Virtuous Tramps (USA: reissue title)
194. Arrowsmith (1931) (uncredited) .... Henry Novak
195. Street Scene (1931) (as John M. Qualen) .... Karl Olsen
Composer
1. The High and the Mighty (1954) (cues) (uncredited)