Dick Wessel

Dick Wessel

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1913-04-20
Deathday: 1965-04-20 (52 years old)

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Biography

Richard Michael Wessel (April 20, 1913 – April 20, 1965) was an American film actor who appeared in more than 270 films between 1935 and 1966. He is best remembered for his only leading role, a chilling portrayal of strangler Harry "Cueball" Lake in Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946), and for his appearances as comic villains opposite The Three Stooges. Wessel was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His burly frame established him as a character player in feature films of the 1930s and '40s. At first he was a bit player; in Laurel and Hardy's Bonnie Scotland (1935), he was a blacksmith's assistant (with no dialogue). Gradually his roles became larger and he was given a few lines of dialogue, as in Yankee Doodle Dandy where he played a veteran soldier. His first featured roles came in 1941, for comedy producer Hal Roach.

In 1946 Dick Wessel began working in Columbia Pictures' two-reel comedies, often with writer-director Edward Bernds. Wessel became one of Bernds's favorites, and Bernds wrote his scripts with parts for Wessel in mind. Wessel became a fixture in Columbia shorts, as a comic foil for The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, Hugh Herbert, Gus Schilling and Richard Lane, Sterling Holloway, Harry Von Zell, Billie Burke, and Eddie Foy, Jr. When character actor Eddie Acuff left the Blondie series, Bernds hired Dick Wessel to replace him as the hapless mailman perennially flattened by Dagwood Bumstead in his rush-hour run for the bus. In 1955 director Bernds remembered Wessel and wrote him into the Bowery Boys comedy Bowery to Bagdad.

Wessel continued to play character roles in feature films. In 1946 he landed his only leading role, as a villain opposite Morgan Conway's portrayal of Dick Tracy. Dick Tracy vs. Cueball casts Wessel as Cueball, ex-convict with shaven head, who steals valuable jewels and murders anyone in his way while he tries to reclaim them. Wessel is Mr Cracker, the affable bartender serving James Stewart in Harvey, 1950). In Frank Capra's comedy Pocketful of Miracles, based on a Damon Runyon story, he's a New York mug masquerading as the governor of Florida.

Wessel also appeared on television. From 1959 to 1961, Wessel co-starred as Carney Kohler in all forty-two episodes of the NBC western television series Riverboat. In 1959, he appeared as police captain Bob Rattigan in the episode "Rattigan and the Cat" of the syndicated Border Patrol series. He also appeared in the syndicated crime drama Sheriff of Cochise. He was cast as Charlie in the episode "A Kind of a Stopwatch" of CBS's The Twilight Zone. He also guest starred in the CBS sitcom/drama Hennesey and on the ABC sitcom, Our Man Higgins. In 1961 he guest-starred in the series finale of The Investigators.

Wessel and his wife, Louise, had a daughter. He died of a heart attack at his home in Studio City, California on his 52nd birthday.

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Filmography

all 183

Movies 141

TV Shows 42

Eddie - Garbage Man (uncredited)
The Ugly Dachshund

The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Movie
3.5
Moses Hennepin
Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone (1964)

TV
5.75
Traffic Cop
Who's Minding the Store?

Who's Minding the Store? (1963)

Movie
Officer
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963)

TV
Bink Sharfells
Petticoat Junction

Petticoat Junction (1963)

TV
6
Charley Hendricks
The Fugitive

The Fugitive (1963)

TV
3.5
Carnival Manager
Arrest and Trial

Arrest and Trial (1963)

TV
Grindl

Grindl (1963)

TV
Mr. Liberti
Wives and Lovers

Wives and Lovers (1963)

Movie
Governor of Florida (uncredited)
Pocketful of Miracles

Pocketful of Miracles (1961)

Movie
Ben Casey

Ben Casey (1961)

TV
4.75
Sam Dlugash
Dr. Kildare

Dr. Kildare (1961)

TV
6
Howard Pitt
87th Precinct

87th Precinct (1961)

TV
Janitor (uncredited)
All in a Night's Work

All in a Night's Work (1961)

Movie
The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone (1959)

TV
8
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959)

TV
6
Carney Kohler
Riverboat

Riverboat (1959)

TV
Big Mike Campbell
Bonanza

Bonanza (1959)

TV
1
Barker / Jed
Rawhide

Rawhide (1959)

TV
4
Police Officer (uncredited) / Stan
77 Sunset Strip

77 Sunset Strip (1958)

TV
Man with a Camera

Man with a Camera (1958)

TV
Jed Thomas
Lawman

Lawman (1958)

TV
Peter Gunn

Peter Gunn (1958)

TV
6
Bobo
Tricky Chicks

Tricky Chicks (1957)

Movie
Cpl. Delgado (uncredited)
Zorro

Zorro (1957)

TV
5.73
Trackdown

Trackdown (1957)

TV
Transfer Man
Perry Mason

Perry Mason (1957)

TV
4.33
The Thin Man

The Thin Man (1957)

TV
Biff
Wagon Train

Wagon Train (1957)

TV
8
Hank Green (as Richard Wessel)
The Desperados Are in Town

The Desperados Are in Town (1956)

Movie
Train Engineer (uncredited)
Around the World in Eighty Days

Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)

Movie
4.67
Bartender
Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow (1956)

TV
10
Trucker
Hey, Jeannie!

Hey, Jeannie! (1956)

TV
Claude Beasley
Andy Goes Wild

Andy Goes Wild (1956)

Movie
Planetarium Guide (uncredited)
Rebel Without a Cause

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Movie
6.25
Fred
Fury

Fury (1955)

TV
Frontier

Frontier (1955)

TV
Navy Log

Navy Log (1955)

TV
Sol Durham
Gunsmoke

Gunsmoke (1955)

TV
6
Sgt. Flint
G.I. Dood It

G.I. Dood It (1955)

Movie
Henchman Gus
Bowery to Bagdad

Bowery to Bagdad (1955)

Movie
Chopper Kane
Fling in the Ring

Fling in the Ring (1955)

Movie
Steve Farrell
December Bride

December Bride (1954)

TV
Father Knows Best

Father Knows Best (1954)

TV
6
Alvin T. 'Bear' Bristow
Studio 57

Studio 57 (1954)

TV
Fred Brockway
Lassie

Lassie (1954)

TV
8
Sgt. Willis
Public Defender

Public Defender (1954)

TV
The Lone Wolf

The Lone Wolf (1954)

TV
Policeman
The Danny Thomas Show

The Danny Thomas Show (1953)

TV
2
'Speedtrap' Calhoun
Champ for a Day

Champ for a Day (1953)

Movie
Chez Louis Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Movie
6.5
Squarehead Malloy
The Life Of Riley

The Life Of Riley (1953)

TV
Dutchman
Blackbeard, the Pirate

Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952)

Movie
Larry / Bill Hart
The Abbott and Costello Show

The Abbott and Costello Show (1952)

TV
Sgt. Malone
The WAC From Walla Walla

The WAC From Walla Walla (1952)

Movie
Tom O'Brien (as Richard Wessell)
The Ford Television Theatre

The Ford Television Theatre (1952)

TV
Eddie Tasling
Young Man with Ideas

Young Man with Ideas (1952)

Movie
Big Dan
Heebie Gee-Gees

Heebie Gee-Gees (1952)

Movie
Deputy (uncredited)
Rancho Notorious

Rancho Notorious (1952)

Movie
Smittie
Love Is Better Than Ever

Love Is Better Than Ever (1952)

Movie
Sandor - Jealous Husband
Trouble In-Laws

Trouble In-Laws (1951)

Movie
Taxi Driver
Reunion in Reno

Reunion in Reno (1951)

Movie
Concessionaire #1
Texas Carnival

Texas Carnival (1951)

Movie
CPO Delaney - USS Farragut / Assistant (uncredited)
The Red Skelton Show

The Red Skelton Show (1951)

TV
Ben Macrow (uncredited)
An American in Paris

An American in Paris (1951)

Movie
3
Pudge McKay
Corky of Gasoline Alley

Corky of Gasoline Alley (1951)

Movie
Mess Sergeant (uncredited)
Flying Leathernecks

Flying Leathernecks (1951)

Movie
Arkansas (uncredited)
The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers (1951)

Movie
Night Watchman (uncredited)
Her First Romance

Her First Romance (1951)

Movie
Willard Crane
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951)

TV
Sid, Drunk Cowboy
The Scarf

The Scarf (1951)

Movie
Juicy James
Life with Buster Keaton

Life with Buster Keaton (1951)

Movie
Pudge
Gasoline Alley

Gasoline Alley (1951)

Movie
Man Who Undresses (uncredited)
Watch the Birdie

Watch the Birdie (1950)

Movie
Mr. Cracker (uncredited)
Harvey

Harvey (1950)

Movie
5.33
Man
The Jack Benny Program

The Jack Benny Program (1950)

TV
Moving Man with Chandelier (uncredited)
Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride (1950)

Movie
8
Tough Lodge Member in Stands (uncredited)
The Jackie Robinson Story

The Jackie Robinson Story (1950)

Movie
Mailman
Beware of Blondie

Beware of Blondie (1950)

Movie
Sergeant Flint
Dizzy Yardbird

Dizzy Yardbird (1950)

Movie
Mailman (uncredited)
Blondie's Hero

Blondie's Hero (1950)

Movie
Gorgeous Gus
His Baiting Beauty

His Baiting Beauty (1950)

Movie
Sgt. Mullins
Punchy Cowpunchers

Punchy Cowpunchers (1950)

Movie
Grenade Instructor (uncredited)
Sands of Iwo Jima

Sands of Iwo Jima (1950)

Movie
Sailor Kovarsky (uncredited)
On the Town

On the Town (1949)

Movie
4
Cab Driver (uncredited)
Thieves' Highway

Thieves' Highway (1949)

Movie
Mailman (uncredited)
Blondie Hits the Jackpot

Blondie Hits the Jackpot (1949)

Movie
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Slattery's Hurricane

Slattery's Hurricane (1949)

Movie
Bailey
Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific (1949)

Movie
6
Joker (uncredited)
Tulsa

Tulsa (1949)

Movie
Mr. Clairborne
The Green Promise

The Green Promise (1949)

Movie
Sanderson, 1st Mate
Unknown Island

Unknown Island (1948)

Movie
Mr. McGonagle
Billie Gets Her Man

Billie Gets Her Man (1948)

Movie
Bullseye's Sidekick (uncredited)
Hollow Triumph

Hollow Triumph (1948)

Movie
Desk Sergeant
Pitfall

Pitfall (1948)

Movie
Mr. Billings
Dig That Gold

Dig That Gold (1948)

Movie
Toledo Thompson, aka Egbert L. Thompson
Flat Feat

Flat Feat (1948)

Movie
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Fuller Brush Man

The Fuller Brush Man (1948)

Movie
Claude Beasley
Eight-Ball Andy

Eight-Ball Andy (1948)

Movie
Horrible Higgins
Two Nuts in a Rut

Two Nuts in a Rut (1948)

Movie
Bailey - Hotel Detective
Radio Romeo

Radio Romeo (1947)

Movie
Jim Hale (uncredited)
High Wall

High Wall (1947)

Movie
Claude Upton
Wife to Spare

Wife to Spare (1947)

Movie
Duffy, House Detective
Hectic Honeymoon

Hectic Honeymoon (1947)

Movie
Chick
Merton of the Movies

Merton of the Movies (1947)

Movie
Actor
Wife Tames Wolf

Wife Tames Wolf (1947)

Movie
Second Convict
Nervous Shakedown

Nervous Shakedown (1947)

Movie
Policeman
It Happened in Brooklyn

It Happened in Brooklyn (1947)

Movie
Chopper Kane
Fright Night

Fright Night (1947)

Movie
Neighbor
Hot Heir

Hot Heir (1947)

Movie
Old Boyfriend
Do or Diet

Do or Diet (1947)

Movie
Gestapo Officer (uncredited)
13 Rue Madeleine

13 Rue Madeleine (1947)

Movie
Bus Driver (uncredited)
Blondie's Big Moment

Blondie's Big Moment (1947)

Movie
Claude, Andy's Brother-in-Law
Andy Plays Hookey

Andy Plays Hookey (1946)

Movie
Harry 'Cueball' Lake
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball

Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946)

Movie
4.33
Eddie--Honey's Fiance
Slappily Married

Slappily Married (1946)

Movie
Gangster
So's Your Antenna

So's Your Antenna (1946)

Movie
Luke
Pardon My Terror

Pardon My Terror (1946)

Movie
Mavis' Doorman (Uncredited)
Black Angel

Black Angel (1946)

Movie
Oscar
In Old Sacramento

In Old Sacramento (1946)

Movie
Cab Driver (Uncredited)
Young Widow

Young Widow (1946)

Movie
Detective (Uncredited)
Blonde Alibi

Blonde Alibi (1946)

Movie
Detective (uncredited)
Scarlet Street

Scarlet Street (1945)

Movie
6
Buck Walters
Silver Spurs

Silver Spurs (1943)

Movie
Cherub Joe (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic

Action in the North Atlantic (1943)

Movie
Detective Mallory
False Faces

False Faces (1943)

Movie
Soldier-Stage Manager (uncredited)
Three Hearts for Julia

Three Hearts for Julia (1943)

Movie
Hershel
King of the Cowboys

King of the Cowboys (1943)

Movie
Henchman Otis
The Traitor Within

The Traitor Within (1942)

Movie
Army Barber
Fall In

Fall In (1942)

Movie
Referee (uncredited)
Gentleman Jim

Gentleman Jim (1942)

Movie
Dizzy
X Marks the Spot

X Marks the Spot (1942)

Movie
2.25
Antlers Bartender
Sunset Serenade

Sunset Serenade (1942)

Movie
Delivery man
Friendly Enemies

Friendly Enemies (1942)

Movie
Jailer-Deputy
Romance on the Range

Romance on the Range (1942)

Movie
Bartender Charlie
About Face

About Face (1942)

Movie
Aircraft Plant Worker (uncredited)
Joe Smith, American

Joe Smith, American (1942)

Movie
Al
Brooklyn Orchid

Brooklyn Orchid (1942)

Movie
Grant, Psychopathic Ward Guard (uncredited)
Dangerously They Live

Dangerously They Live (1941)

Movie
Mike (uncredited)
Steel Against the Sky

Steel Against the Sky (1941)

Movie
Lumber Deliverer
Red River Valley

Red River Valley (1941)

Movie
Sgt. Brown (uncredited)
They Died with Their Boots On

They Died with Their Boots On (1941)

Movie
Officer Donahue
Dangerous Lady

Dangerous Lady (1941)

Movie
Lineman at Cafe Counter (uncredited)
Manpower

Manpower (1941)

Movie
Henchman Hawk
Desert Bandit

Desert Bandit (1941)

Movie
Gorman
The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery (1941)

Movie
Big Sailor on Downed Seaplane
Flight Command

Flight Command (1940)

Movie
Oscar 'Red' McGooney
The Border Legion

The Border Legion (1940)

Movie
Dopey
So You Won't Talk?

So You Won't Talk? (1940)

Movie
Cab Driver by Fire (uncredited)
City for Conquest

City for Conquest (1940)

Movie
Backwoodsman
The Howards of Virginia

The Howards of Virginia (1940)

Movie
Man on Dance Floor (uncredited)
Flowing Gold

Flowing Gold (1940)

Movie
Driver in Cafe (uncredited)
They Drive by Night

They Drive by Night (1940)

Movie
6
Buffalo Burns
Brother Orchid

Brother Orchid (1940)

Movie
Convict Messenger (uncredited)
Castle on the Hudson

Castle on the Hudson (1940)

Movie
Henchman Willie
Cafe Hostess

Cafe Hostess (1940)

Movie
Fletcher's Mechanic (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties (1939)

Movie
6
Buchman - Prison Guard (uncredited)
Hitler: Beast of Berlin

Hitler: Beast of Berlin (1939)

Movie
Customer (uncredited)
Dust Be My Destiny

Dust Be My Destiny (1939)

Movie
4.25
Moxie (uncredited)
They All Come Out

They All Come Out (1939)

Movie
Cop #2 (uncredited)
I Stole a Million

I Stole a Million (1939)

Movie
Football player
The Cowboy Quarterback

The Cowboy Quarterback (1939)

Movie
Brick McGirk
Missing Daughters

Missing Daughters (1939)

Movie
Drugstore Lunch Counterman (uncredited)
An Hour for Lunch

An Hour for Lunch (1939)

Movie
Convict (uncredited)
Blackwell's Island

Blackwell's Island (1939)

Movie
Collucci
They Made Me a Criminal

They Made Me a Criminal (1939)

Movie
Dirk
Hawk of the Wilderness

Hawk of the Wilderness (1938)

Movie
Dock Shore Patrolman (facing camera)
Submarine Patrol

Submarine Patrol (1938)

Movie
Fighter at Gym (uncredited)
The Crowd Roars

The Crowd Roars (1938)

Movie
Truck Driver (uncredited)
Racket Busters

Racket Busters (1938)

Movie
Convict in Machine Shop with Gyp
Over the Wall

Over the Wall (1938)

Movie
Joe
Borrowing Trouble

Borrowing Trouble (1937)

Movie
'Leapfrog' Soule
The Game That Kills

The Game That Kills (1937)

Movie
Beans Clerk
White Bondage

White Bondage (1937)

Movie
Jaillbird (uncredited)
Border Cafe

Border Cafe (1937)

Movie
Trusty (uncredited)
San Quentin

San Quentin (1937)

Movie
German Machine Gunner (uncredited)
They Gave Him a Gun

They Gave Him a Gun (1937)

Movie
Henchman Craig Johnson
Round-Up Time in Texas

Round-Up Time in Texas (1937)

Movie
Bodyguard (uncredited)
Fury

Fury (1936)

Movie
3.67
Gunnery Soldier (uncredited)
Half Shot Shooters

Half Shot Shooters (1936)

Movie
College Boy in Car (uncredited)
Small Town Girl

Small Town Girl (1936)

Movie
Joe
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936)

Movie
Monk Grady
In Spite of Danger

In Spite of Danger (1935)

Movie

Ratings

Average 5.65
Based on 655 Thousand movie and tv ratings over time
1935
1942
1949
1942
1966
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Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Male

Birthday
1913-04-20

Deathday
1965-04-20 (52 years old)

Birth Place
Milwaukee, United States of America

Citizenships
United States of America

Also Known As
Dick Wassel, Richard M. Wessel , Richard Wessel , Dick Wessell, Richard Wessell


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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