Roscoe Karns
| Sign | Virgo |
| Born | Sep 7, 1891 San Bernardino, CA |
| Died | Feb 6, 1970 Los Angeles, CA |
| Age | Died at 78 |
| Final Resting PlaceHollywood Forever | |
Roscoe Karns | |
| Job | Actor |
| Years active | 1915-1964 |
| Known for | Cynical, street-wise, wisecracking fellows; rapid-fire reporters; hero sidekicks |
| Top Roles | Shapeley, Irish McGurn, Phil Whittaker, Major Phipps, Charley Grady |
| Top Genres | Drama, Comedy, Romance, Crime, Adventure, Silent Films |
| Top Topics | Romance (Comic), Screwball Comedy, Book-Based |
| Top Collaborators | Howard Hawks (Director), Hal B. Wallis (Producer), William LeBaron (Producer), King Vidor (Director) |
| Shares birthday with | Elia Kazan, Peter Lawford, Cliff Reid see more.. |
Roscoe Karns Overview:
Character actor, Roscoe Karns, was born on Sep 7, 1891 in San Bernardino, CA. Karns died at the age of 78 on Feb 6, 1970 in Los Angeles, CA and was laid to rest in Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, CA.
MINI BIO:
Roscoe Karns began his stage career at the age of 15, coming to films about 10 years later, in 1915, during the early silent film era. Over the course of his 49-year film career, Karns appeared in over 145 roles, many times as cynical wisecracking fellows, fast-talking reporters or hero sidekicks. Some of his more memorable roles include Reporter McCue in His Girl Friday, Phil Whittaker in Woman of the Year, and the smooth-talking Shapeley who tries to pick-up Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night. In 1951, he began his television career starring as Police Inspector Rocky King in the series "Rocky King, Detective". He later went on to play Captain Walter Shafer in the "Hennesey" TV Series which starred veteran classic movie actor Jackie Cooper in the title role. Karns' last film was Man's Favorite Sport in 1964.
Roscoe Karns is the father of Todd Karns who played George Bailey's (James Stewart's) younger brother Harry in It's a Wonderful Life. Todd Karns also appeared in some episodes of "Rocky King, Detective" along with his father.
(Source: article by Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub).HONORS and AWARDS:
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BlogHub Articles:
What a Character Blogathon 2013:
By Annmarie Gatti on Nov 9, 2013 From Classic Movie Hub Blog? Believe You Me, is quite a Character! “Fun-on-the-side Shapeley.”?Yep, that was the very first time I encountered character actor?. And, to this day, I still roll with laughter when I see the relentless, fast-talking Oscar Shapeley trying to ‘pick up̵... Read full article
Mini Tribute Character Actor:
By Annmarie Gatti on Sep 7, 2012 From Classic Movie Hub BlogBorn September 7, 1891, Character Actor ! appeared in over 145 roles, many times as a street-wise, wisecracking fellow. My favorite role??? Well, that would have to be Shapely in It Happened One Night! You know, there’s nothing I like better than to meet a... Read full article
See all articles
Roscoe Karns Quotes:
Bogard: [Concerned about McGinnis' drinking] You better start drinking water.
McGinnis: Water? Water? Have you forgotten the Johnstown Flood? The poor women! The children!
Willie Sands: Two can live as cheap as one... if one don't eat!
read more quotes from Roscoe Karns...
