Summary
Gordon Westcott (born Myrthus Hansen Hickman;[2] November 6, 1903[1] – October 30, 1935) was an American film actor.
Gordon Westcott | |
|---|---|
 From Murder in the Clouds (1934) | |
| Born | Myrthus Hansen Hickman November 6, 1903 St. George, Utah, U.S.[1] |
| Died | October 30, 1935 (aged 31) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1927–1935 |
| Spouse | Margaret Cardon (divorced)[2] |
| Children | 2 |
Biography edit
Westcott studied architecture at the University of Chicago, where he was also lightweight boxing champion of the university.[3] Westcott was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]
Westcott acted on stage in New York, Utah, and California, before he made the move to film.[5] He became a contract player with Warner Brothers and appeared in 37 films between 1928 and 1935,[6] starring alongside such up and comers as Bette Davis, Loretta Young and James Cagney.
After appearing in a string of Pre-Code productions, and working with such directors as William A. Wellman, Busby Berkeley and William Dieterle, his film career ended with his death on October 30, 1935, one week before his 32nd birthday, from a skull fracture[7] sustained in a polo accident that had occurred three days earlier.[8]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Our Dancing Daughters | Diana's Party Friend | Uncredited |
| 1929 | Queen Kelly | Lackey | (unbilled), Uncredited |
| 1931 | Enemies of the Law | Blackie | |
| 1932 | Merrily We Go to Hell | Party Boy | Uncredited |
| 1932 | Guilty as Hell | Dr. Goodman | Uncredited |
| 1932 | Devil and the Deep | Lt. Toll | |
| 1932 | Love Me Tonight | Credit Manager of the Association of Retail Merchants | Uncredited |
| 1932 | Heritage of the Desert | Snap Naab | |
| 1933 | The Crime of the Century | Gilbert Reid | |
| 1933 | He Learned About Women | Eddie Clifford | |
| 1933 | The Working Man | Fred Pettison | |
| 1933 | Lilly Turner | Rex Durkee | |
| 1933 | Private Detective 62 | Bandor | |
| 1933 | Heroes for Sale | Roger | [9] |
| 1933 | Voltaire | The Captain | |
| 1933 | Footlight Parade | Thompson | |
| 1933 | The World Changes | John Nordholm | |
| 1933 | Convention City | Phil Lorraine / Frank Wilson | |
| 1934 | Dark Hazard | Joe | |
| 1934 | I've Got Your Number | Nicky | |
| 1934 | Fashions of 1934 | Harry Brent | |
| 1934 | Registered Nurse | Jim Benton | |
| 1934 | Fog Over Frisco | Joe Bello | |
| 1934 | The Circus Clown | Frank | |
| 1934 | Call It Luck | 'Lucky' Luke Bartlett | |
| 1934 | Kansas City Princess | Jimmy the Dude aka Frankie Smith | |
| 1934 | The Case of the Howling Dog | Arthur Cartwright | |
| 1934 | 6 Day Bike Rider | Harry St. Clair | |
| 1934 | Murder in the Clouds | George Wexley | |
| 1935 | The White Cockatoo | Dr. Roberts | |
| 1935 | A Night at the Ritz | Joe Scurvin | |
| 1935 | Go into Your Dance | Fred | |
| 1935 | Going Highbrow | Sam Long | |
| 1935 | Front Page Woman | Maitland Coulter | |
| 1935 | Bright Lights | Wellington | |
| 1935 | Two-Fisted | George Parker | |
| 1935 | This Is the Life | Ed Revier | (final film role) |
References edit
- ^ a b Parish, James Robert (1979). Hollywood Character Actors. Carlstadt, N.J.: Rainbow Books. p. 519. ISBN 0-89508-064-8.
- ^ a b "Death: Margaret Cardon Hickman". Deseret News. September 24, 1991. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ^ "Fight Training Is Aid to Actor Now". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. August 31, 1927. p. 25. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Biographies: Latter-day Saint and/or Utah Film Personalities: W". www.ldsfilm.com.
- ^ "Gordon Wescott [sic] Dies from Skull Injury". The Oshkosh Northwestern. Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Associated Press. October 31, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hunter, James Michael (2013). Mormons and Popular Culture: The Global Influence of an American Phenomenon. ABC-CLIO. pp. 253–254. ISBN 9780313391675. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ "Polo Game Injuries Take Actor's Life". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. Associated Press. October 31, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Polo Injury Kills Filmland Athlete". Star-Gazette. New York, Elmira. Associated Press. October 31, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Warner Brothers film release; aired on TCM, 12 January 2013
External links edit
- Gordon Westcott at IMDb
- Gordon Westcott at Find a Grave
