Noah Beery

One of screendom's most venerable villains, in films from 1917. Huskily built and most typically mustachioed, Beery made an enjoyably rapacious bad guy in many silent films ("The Mark of Zorro" 1920, "The Vanishing American" 1925, "Beau Geste" 1926) and when sound came in his firm, deep bark of a voice complemented his image entirely.

Occasionally, Beery even enjoyed the chance to play an atypically sympathetic role, usually with gruff shadings, and proved to be remarkably good at it (e.g. "Linda" 1928). He continued adding good entertainment value to well over 150 films, including many enjoyable "B" Westerns of the 30s and 40s, until shortly before his death.

His son, Noah Beery Jr., started in films at the age of seven (appearing with his father in "The Mark of Zorro") and later became a well-liked character player. Elder half-brother of Wallace Beery, popular star of the 1930s and 40s.