Born: June 8, 1912 – Died: February 15, 1990
Henry Brandon, born in Germany on June 8, 1912, was an actor best known for his captivating performances in American films, often portraying villainous characters. After his parents immigrated to the US shortly after his birth, Brandon developed a keen interest in acting and honed his skills at the prestigious Pasadena Community Playhouse. His breakthrough came in 1934 when he landed the lead villain role in "March of the Wooden Soldiers" alongside Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. From there, Brandon became a familiar face in both large and small films, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with his unforgettable portrayals.
Early Life and Career
Henry Brandon's early interest in acting led him to study at the acclaimed Pasadena Community Playhouse, where he honed his skills.
Brandon's first professional role came in 1934 when he landed the lead villain role in "March of the Wooden Soldiers" alongside comedic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. This breakthrough role marked the beginning of his successful career in the film industry.
One of the roles that had a significant impact on Brandon's career was his portrayal of the sinister Dr. Fu Manchu in the 1936 film "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu." This film solidified his reputation as a captivating villain and showcased his talent for playing complex and compelling characters.
Throughout his career, Brandon appeared in numerous films and television shows, often in villainous roles. He was praised for his ability to bring depth and nuance to these characters, which further established him as a reliable and versatile actor.
Brandon's performances in films like "The Searchers" and "The Ten Commandments" received critical acclaim. These roles showcased his ability to captivate audiences with his on-screen presence and talent. In terms of his personal life, Henry Brandon was a confirmed bachelor.
Henry Brandon left an indelible impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry through his memorable performances and remarkable portrayals of villains. His ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters set him apart as a talented actor.
Henry Brandon's contributions to film and his unique on-screen presence make him a notable figure in the history of Hollywood.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II | Zarz |
| 1987 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Abel Gorcey |
| 1984 | E/R (TV Series) | Mr. Pavlic |
| 1983 | To Be or Not to Be | Nazi Officer |
| 1983 | Little House: Look Back to Yesterday (TV Movie) | Otis Wagner |
| 1981 | Evita Peron (TV Movie) | General Ramirez |
| 1979 | Hard Knocks | Curley |
| 1978 | The Next Step Beyond (TV Series) | Timothy Welling | The Prosecuting Attorney |
| 1978 | Bud and Lou (TV Movie) | Bernie |
| 1977 | Run for the Roses | Jeff |
| 1976 | Mission to Glory: A True Story | Father Canion |
| 1976 | Assault on Precinct 13 | Chaney |
| 1975 | The Rookies (TV Series) | Doug Shore |
| 1975 | Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV Series) | The Man |
| 1974 | When the North Wind Blows | Avakum |
| 1974 | The Manhandlers | Carlo |
| 1973 | So Long, Blue Boy | Buck |
| 1973 | Night Gallery (TV Series) | Vereker |
| 1973 | Prologue to Wounded Knee | Holy Man |
| 1972 | O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (TV Series) | Ham Jason |
| 1969 | Mission: Impossible (TV Series) | Farid |
| 1965–1969 | Get Smart (TV Series) | Belasco | Zukor |
| 1967 | The Search for the Evil One | Martin Borman |
| 1967 | Custer (TV Series) | Fire Cloud |
| 1967 | Mr. Terrific (TV Series) | Herman von Brock |
| 1967 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Swift Wolf |
| 1964–1966 | Combat! (TV Series) | Hans | German Lt. |
| 1966 | Laredo (TV Series) | Quahada |
| 1966 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) | Lije Moody |
| 1965 | Branded (TV Series) | Cleve |
| 1965 | Honey West (TV Series) | Alexander Sebastian |
| 1965 | Mister Ed (TV Series) | Derek |
| 1965 | F Troop (TV Series) | Shug Indian Chief |
| 1964 | Mickey (TV Series) | Captain Barker |
| 1964 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | General Crawford |
| 1964 | Grindl (TV Series) | German Major |
| 1964 | Temple Houston (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Circus Roustabout |
| 1963 | Captain Sindbad | Col. Kabar |
| 1960–1962 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Benin | Darius |
| 1961 | Tallahassee 7000 (TV Series) | Otto |
| 1961 | Follow the Sun (TV Series) | Mosley |
| 1961 | Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) | Totani | Kahuna |
| 1961 | The Bob Cummings Show (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1961 | Whispering Smith (TV Series) | Rex Denton | J. Burton Hamilton |
| 1961 | Two Rode Together | Chief Quanah Parker |
| 1961 | Gunslinger (TV Series) | Two Bows |
| 1960–1961 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Quick Knife | The Major |
| 1957–1961 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Chief Dark Eagle | Chief Fire Cloud | Ute Indian Chief ... |
| 1960 | Maverick (TV Series) | Rand Storm |
| 1960 | Bronco (TV Series) | Chato | Yellow Moon |
| 1960 | Shotgun Slade (TV Series) | Trigg Bronson |
| 1960 | Captain Brassbound's Conversion (TV Movie) | Sheik Sidi El Assif |
| 1960 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Anchior |
| 1959–1960 | Lawman (TV Series) | Tall Horse | Joshua Haney |
| 1960 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) | John Buckley |
| 1960 | The Rebel (TV Series) | Running Wolf |
| 1960 | Lock Up (TV Series) | Johnny Kellso |
| 1959 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Whit Ransome |
| 1959 | The Lawless Years (TV Series) | Mendy Hymar |
| 1959 | The Deputy (TV Series) | Johnny Ringo |
| 1959 | Bourbon Street Beat (TV Series) | Gator Joe |
| 1959 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Jason |
| 1959 | The Big Fisherman | Menicus |
| 1959 | The Texan (TV Series) | Lightning Crowley |
| 1959 | Okefenokee | Joe Kalhari |
| 1958 | Auntie Mame | Acacius Page |
| 1958 | The Buccaneer | British Major |
| 1958 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) | Williams |
| 1958 | Roberta (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Decision (TV Series) | Frank Dawson |
| 1958 | Tombstone Territory (TV Series) | Lige Crown |
| 1958 | Official Detective (TV Series) | Reis |
| 1957 | Have Gun - Will Travel (TV Series) | Chief Gerada |
| 1957 | The Court of Last Resort (TV Series) | Jim Thompson |
| 1957 | Suspicion (TV Series) | Colonel Torezano |
| 1957 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | The Restless Gun (TV Series) | Tracer Givens |
| 1957 | M Squad (TV Series) | Bert Fallon |
| 1957 | The Adventures of Jim Bowie (TV Series) | Quint Oxley |
| 1957 | Omar Khayyam | Commander |
| 1957 | The Land Unknown | Dr. Carl Hunter |
| 1957 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Hell's Crossroads | Jesse James |
| 1956 | Broken Arrow (TV Series) | Judd Buckley |
| 1956 | The Ten Commandments | Commander of the Hosts |
| 1956 | Bandido! | Gunther |
| 1956 | The Searchers | Scar | Cicatriz |
| 1956 | Comanche | Black Cloud |
| 1956 | Silent Fear | Cliff Sutton |
| 1955 | Lady Godiva of Coventry | Bejac |
| 1955 | Soldiers of Fortune (TV Series) | Ki Yang |
| 1955 | Stories of the Century (TV Series) | Nate Champion aka Joe Baker |
| 1954 | Vera Cruz | Capt. Danette |
| 1954 | Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (TV Series) | Rinkman |
| 1954 | Casanova's Big Night | Capt. Rugello |
| 1954 | Knock on Wood | Second Trenchcoat Man |
| 1953 | War Arrow | Maygro |
| 1953 | The Caddy | Mr. Preen |
| 1953 | Tarzan and the She-Devil | M'Tara, Locopo Chief |
| 1953 | Pony Express | Joe Cooper |
| 1953 | Raiders of the Seven Seas | Captain Goiti |
| 1953 | Scared Stiff | Pierre |
| 1953 | The War of the Worlds | Cop at Crash Site |
| 1953 | Hollywood Opening Night (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951–1952 | Family Theatre (TV Series) | Captain of Herod's Soldiers | Cassius Longinus |
| 1952 | Biff Baker, U.S.A. (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | The Schaefer Century Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Hurricane Smith | Sam |
| 1952 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Gruen Guild Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Wagons West | Clay Cook |
| 1952 | Scarlet Angel | Pierre |
| 1952 | Harem Girl | Hassan Ali |
| 1951 | Flame of Araby | Malik |
| 1951 | The Golden Horde | Juchi, Son of Genghis Khan |
| 1951 | Cattle Drive | Jim Currie |
| 1950 | Lights Out (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949 | Suspense (TV Series) | Dr. Douglas Stone |
| 1949 | The Clock (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949 | The Fighting O'Flynn | Lt. Corpe |
| 1949 | Tarzan's Magic Fountain | Siko |
| 1948 | Wake of the Red Witch | Kurinua (uncredited) |
| 1948 | The Paleface | Wapato (medicine man) |
| 1948 | Joan of Arc | Giles de Rais - Captain |
| 1948 | Hollow Triumph | Big Boy (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Canon City | Freeman |
| 1948 | Old Los Angeles | Larry Stockton |
| 1947 | Northwest Outpost | Chinese Junk Captain (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Edge of Darkness | Maj. Ruck (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Night in New Orleans | Croupier (uncredited) |
| 1941 | The Corsican Brothers | Marquis de Raveneau (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Bad Man of Deadwood | Ted Carver |
| 1941 | Hurricane Smith | Sam Carson (as Harry Brandon) |
| 1941 | The Shepherd of the Hills | Bald Knobber (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Two in a Taxi | Professor |
| 1941 | Underground | Rolf |
| 1941 | Ghost Treasure (Short) | Mariano Arguello (uncredited) |
| 1940 | The Son of Monte Cristo | Lt. Schultz |
| 1940 | Dark Streets of Cairo | Hessien |
| 1940 | Under Texas Skies | Tom Blackton |
| 1940 | Doomed to Die | Victor Martin |
| 1940 | The Ranger and the Lady | General Augustus Larue |
| 1940 | Florian | Groom (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Ski Patrol | Jan Sikorsky |
| 1940 | Half a Sinner | Handsome |
| 1940 | Drums of Fu Manchu | Dr. Fu Manchu |
| 1939 | Geronimo | (scenes deleted) |
| 1939 | The Marshal of Mesa City | Duke Allison |
| 1939 | Nurse Edith Cavell | Lt. Schultz |
| 1939 | Conspiracy | Carlson - Crewman |
| 1939 | Beau Geste | Renouf |
| 1939 | Buck Rogers | Captain Laska |
| 1939 | Pirates of the Skies | Gang Pilot (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Last Warning | Willie the Creep (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Last Express | Henchman Pinky |
| 1938 | If I Were King | Soldier (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Spawn of the North | Davis (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Three Comrades | Valentin - Man with Eye Patch (uncredited) |
| 1938 | I Met My Love Again | Bruno - the Painter (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Wells Fargo | Larry (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Our Gang Follies of 1938 (Short) | Barnaby (opera impressario) (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Conquest | Staff Officer (uncredited) |
| 1937 | West Bound Limited | Joe Forbes |
| 1937 | The Last Train from Madrid | Radio Announcer (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Island Captives | Dick Bannister |
| 1937 | Carnival in Paris (Short) | Louis |
| 1937 | I Promise to Pay | Henchman Fancyface |
| 1937 | Secret Agent X-9 | Blackstone |
| 1937 | Jungle Jim | The Cobra |
| 1937 | Black Legion | Joe Dombrowski |
| 1936 | Killer at Large | Mr. Zero |
| 1936 | The Garden of Allah | Hadj |
| 1936 | Big Brown Eyes | Don Butler (as Henry Kleinbach) |
| 1936 | The Preview Murder Mystery | The Bat Man (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Trail of the Lonesome Pine | Wade Falin (as Henry Kleinbach) |
| 1935 | Metropolitan Nocturne (Short) | Unknown |
| 1934 | March of the Wooden Soldiers | Silas Barnaby (as Henry Kleinbach) |
| 1934 | Pirate Treasure | Boat Driver (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Sign of the Cross | Colosseum Spectator (uncredited) |