Al Bridge

Biography

Al Bridge was an American character actor, a fixture both in Westerns and in the comedies of Preston Sturges. Although frequently billed as Alan Bridge, he was born Alfred Morton Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1891 (not as Alford Bridge in 1890, as his tombstone erroneously states). Following service as a corporal in the U.S. Army infantry in the first World War, Bridge joined a theatrical troupe. He dabbled in writing and in 1930 sold a script to a short film, Her Hired Husband (1930). He followed this with a B-Western script, God's Country and the Man (1931), in which he made his film debut as an actor. For the next quarter century, he managed the atypical achievement of maintaining a career in both B-Westerns and in bigger dramatic and comedy features. Ten films for director Preston Sturges represent probably his most familiar contribution to Hollywood history. Bridge also appeared frequently on television until his death in 1957 at 66.

Most Known For

It's a Wonderful Life

as Sheriff (uncredited)

Annie Oakley

as Pop Wade

Annie Oakley

as Walt Stone

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

as Sheriff (uncredited)

The Gene Autry Show

as Sheriff

Strangers on a Train

as Tennis Judge (uncredited)

T-Men

as Agent in Phone Booth (uncredited)

Galloping Thru

as Sandy Thompson

They Were Expendable

as Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)

Oh! Susanna

as Jake Ledbetter

Transient Lady

as Sheriff Angel Verner

Ace Drummond

as Paul Wyckoff

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

as Senator Dwight (uncredited)

Dead End

as Policeman in Drina's Apartment (uncredited)

Saboteur

as Marine MP Sergeant (uncredited)

Jezebel

as New Orleans Sheriff (uncredited)

The Little Foxes

as Dawson (uncredited)

I Married a Witch

as Second Prison Guard (uncredited)

Sullivan's Travels

as The Mister

Santa Fe Trail

as Palmyra Townsman (uncredited)