Victor Potel

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victor Potel (October 12, 1889 – March 8, 1947) was an American film character actor who began in the silent era and appeared in over 430 films in his 38-year career. Victor Potel was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1889, and his acting career goes back almost to the beginning of the commercial film industry in the United States. He made his first silent film in 1910, a comedy short filmed in Chicago by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company called A Dog on Business. Potel continued to make films for Essanay, appearing in dozens of films every year, including most of the Broncho Billy series, and played a character called "Slippery Slim" in 80 movies. He also appeared in Universal Pictures' "Snakeville" series. Potel's first talking picture was Melody of Love, starring Walter Pidgeon, made for Universal in 1928. and in the sound era he continued to work continuously and constantly, playing small parts and sometimes uncredited bit parts, all primarily comic roles due to his height (6 ft 1 in or 1.85 m) and gawkiness. In addition to acting, on several occasions Potel also wrote and directed. In the 1920s he directed two silent shorts, The Rubber-Neck in 1924 and Action Craver in 1927, and contributed the story for Saxophobia in 1927. In the following decade, in the sound era, he was the dialogue director for The Big Chance (1933), and wrote the story for Inside Information in 1934). In 1935 he provided continuity and dialogue for Million Dollar Haul and the screenplay for Hot Off the Press. In the 1940s, Potel was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in nine films written and directed by Sturges. Potel continued to work right up until his death on 8 March 1947. The final film he worked on, Relentless finished filming on 28 February of that year.

Most Known For

Gun Play

as Brawler (uncredited)

The Amateur Adventuress

as Gregory Charles Sentel

His Regeneration

as Pawn Shop Clerk

Captain Swagger

as Jean

Billions

as Pushkin

Waterfront Lady

as Alex

Sullivan's Travels

as Cameraman

Fury

as Jorgeson (uncredited)

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek

as Newspaper Editor

Partners

as Deputy Lem

The Lady Eve

as Second Steward (uncredited)

The Palm Beach Story

as Mr. McKeewie

It Happened Tomorrow

Second Fiddle

as Steve - Crane Operator

Three Godfathers

as 'Buck Tooth'

Li'l Abner

as Fantastic Brown

An Indian's Friendship

Racing Romance

as Constable

Hail the Conquering Hero

as Progressive Bandleader (uncredited)

The Egg and I

as Crowbar