--- name: "Roy Roberts" canonical: "https://film.one/person/roy-roberts" fi1m_id: "roy-roberts" imdb_id: "nm0731507" tmdb_id: 19400 wikidata_id: "Q3445813" roles: ["Actor"] born: "19 March 1906" died: "28 May 1975" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 79 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-25T04:26:30.872072+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Roy Roberts ## Identity Roy Roberts - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/roy-roberts - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** roy-roberts - **IMDb ID:** nm0731507 - **TMDB ID:** 19400 - **Wikidata ID:** Q3445813 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Roberts, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3445813, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0731507/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19400 Actor. Born 19 March 1906 in Dade City, Florida, USA. Died 28 May 1975. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 19 March 1906, Dade City, Florida, USA - **Died:** 28 May 1975 - **Active:** 1946–1974 - **Also known as:** Roy Barnes Jones, Рой Барнс Джонс - **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1940s 70 (4), 1950s 84 (1), 1970s 93 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 82 to 77 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 3, Crime 2, Mystery 2, Thriller 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1, Western 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $41m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Roberts, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3445813, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0731507/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19400 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*The Reckless Moment*](https://film.one/film/the-reckless-moment.md) (68) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Roy Roberts > Roy Roberts looked as though he expected to be obeyed. We value the firmness he brought to supporting parts, though repeated casting as men in charge left little room for surprise. With his stocky build, silvery hair and trimmed moustache, Roy Roberts looks ready to tell somebody what the regulations permit. He was regularly cast as mayors, police captains, bankers and executives. We value the immediate plausibility he brought to these supporting parts, in comedy as well as drama. Repeated casting made him easy to recognise, though it could also make the character seem settled before he had much to do. In John Ford's *My Darling Clementine* (1946), he is the Mayor, a fitting place in a Western concerned with people learning to live together. We were moved by the patience Ford gives Henry Fonda's courtship, because he makes the effort of getting close to another person worth our attention. Roberts belongs to that wider community, rather than being asked to carry the feeling himself. The supporting characters do not all get the space they deserve, which matters in a film so interested in its community. *The Reckless Moment* (1949) gives him a harder part as Nagel in Max Ophüls's blackmail thriller. That familiar firmness is useful here: Roberts can make an unpleasant man seem accustomed to having his way. Yet Joan Bennett's unforced distress and James Mason's persuasive threat remain the stronger reasons to watch. Ophüls keeps the film tense, but its coolness holds us at a distance when we need to care. The same usefulness runs through his film work of the 1940s and 1950s. His gangster Ben Tucker in *Force of Evil* (1948) gives the respectable-looking authority figure a criminal occupation; in *House of Wax* (1953), he is Vincent Price's crooked business partner, Matthew Burke. These parts exploit a readily recognisable type. The risk of such casting is repetition, and Roberts's reputation rests on reliability rather than individually celebrated performances. From the mid-1950s, his work shifted primarily to television, including stern or exasperated captains, bank presidents and fathers. Comedy could use the same expectation of obedience, then give the man in charge something to be exasperated about. *Chinatown* (1974) finds him back in municipal office as Mayor Bagby. Begin with *My Darling Clementine*, and notice the people Ford has placed around Fonda. ## Biography Roy Roberts (born Roy Barnes Jones) was an American character actor. Over a career spanning more than 40 years he appeared in more than 900 stage and screen productions. He began acting on stage in a Tampa stock company, later toured in stock theatre and made his Broadway debut in 1931. His film work began with the 1936 short *Gold Bricks*; from 1943 he took supporting roles in numerous features, including *My Darling Clementine* (1946) as the Mayor, *House of Wax* (1953), *Gentleman's Agreement* (1947) and *Chinatown* (1974). He also appeared regularly on television, notably as Captain Simon P. Huxley in *The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna* (1956–1960) and in guest roles on series such as *Bewitched*, *Bonanza* and *Perry Mason*. Roberts died in Los Angeles on 28 May 1975. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (6) ### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these - *Chinatown* (1974), Fi1m 93, as Mayor Bagby — [page](https://film.one/film/chinatown.md) - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Mr. Cooper — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *The Reckless Moment* (1949), Fi1m 68, as Nagel — [page](https://film.one/film/the-reckless-moment.md) - *Gentleman's Agreement* (1947), Fi1m 64, as Mr. Calkins — [page](https://film.one/film/gentlemans-agreement.md) - *My Darling Clementine* (1946), Fi1m 88, as Mayor — [page](https://film.one/film/my-darling-clementine.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Wilson* (1944), Fi1m 61, as Ike Hoover - Chief White House Butler (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/wilson.md) ## Complete filmography (131) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Munsters: Family Portrait* (2008), as Mr.Morgan - *The Strongest Man in the World* (1975), as Mr. Roberts - *Chinatown* (1974), as Mayor Bagby — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/chinatown.md) - *The Outfit* (1973), as Sheriff Bob Caswell - *The Million Dollar Duck* (1971), as The Judge (uncredited) - *This Savage Land* (1969), as Dr. Mordecai Reynolds - *Now You See It, Now You Don't* (1968), as Mr. Stockman - *The Doris Day Show* (1968), series, as Thaddius Gilby - *Here's Lucy* (1968), series, as Superintendent, Warden Magginetti, Dr. Jamison, Dr. Honeycutt - *It Takes a Thief* (1968), series, Actor - *Hotel* (1967), as Bailey - *That Girl* (1966), series, Actor - *Green Acres* (1965), series, as Governor - *Look Homeward* (1965), as Mort Morgan - *Those Calloways* (1964), as E.J. Fletcher - *The Munsters* (1964), series, as Mr. Morgan - *The Addams Family* (1964), series, as Thaddeus Logan - *Bewitched* (1964), series, as Frank Stephens - *It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World* (1963), as Policeman Outside Irwin & Ray's Garage - *Petticoat Junction* (1963), series, as Norman P. Curtis, Norman Curtis - *Kid Galahad* (1962), as Jerry Bathgate - *McHale's Navy* (1962), series, as Admiral Rogers - *The Chapman Report* (1962), as Alan Roby - *The Lucy Show* (1962), series, as Admiral, Mr. Cheever - *The Beverly Hillbillies* (1962), series, as Judge, John Cushing - *The Underwater City* (1962), as Tim Graham - *The Dick Van Dyke Show* (1961), series, as Henry Bermont, Mr. Boland - *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as J. Howard Jackson - *My Three Sons* (1960), series, as Jerry Andrews - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Mr. Cooper — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis* (1959), series, as Nicholas J. Vanderfeller - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as George Bristol, Jesse Fillmore - *Lawman* (1958), series, as John Kemper - *The Restless Gun* (1957), series, as Kit Springer, Doc - *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as Arthur Janeel, Harvey Skeen, Henry Thomas, W. L. Picard - *Massacre at Sand Creek* (1956), as Colonel Collery - *The King and Four Queens* (1956), as Sheriff Tom Larrabee - *The White Squaw* (1956), as Edward Purvis, Indian Agent - *Yaqui Drums* (1956), as Matt Quigg - *The Boss* (1956), as Tim Brady - *The Gale Storm Show* (1956), series, as Capt. Simon P. Huxley - *The First Texan* (1956), as Col. Sam Sherman - *Backlash* (1956), as Major Carson - *Crossroads* (1955), series, as Harvey Wiley - *The 20th Century Fox Hour* (1955), series, as Lowrie, Dan Chancellor - *Screen Director's Playhouse* (1955), series, as Gen. Lafferty, Judge - *Cheyenne* (1955), series, as Sen. Matson - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Mr. Bodkin, Mr. Dobie, Billy - *The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp* (1955), series, as A.H. 'Shanghai' Pierce - *The Last Command* (1955), as Dr. Summerfield - *I Cover the Underworld* (1955), as District Attorney - *Stranger on Horseback* (1955), as Sam Kettering - *Big House, U.S.A* (1955), as Chief Ranger Will Erickson - *They Rode West* (1954), as Sgt. Creever - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as James Whitfield - *The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin* (1954), series, as Tom Rogers - *Studio 57* (1954), series, as Nick - *Dawn at Socorro* (1954), as Doc Jameson - *The Outlaw Stallion* (1954), as Hagen - *The Strike* (1954), as Chaplain Walker - *The Lone Wolf* (1954), series, as Caradoc - *Wyoming Renegades* (1954), as Sheriff McVey - *Tumbleweed* (1953), as Nick Buckley - *Sea of Lost Ships* (1953), as Captain of the 'Eagle' - *The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse* (1953), series, Actor - *Second Chance* (1953), as Charley Malloy - *The Lone Hand* (1953), as Mr. Skaggs - *The Glory Brigade* (1953), as Sgt. Chuck Anderson - *House of Wax* (1953), as Matthew Burke - *San Antone* (1953), as John Chisum - *You Are There* (1953), series, as Dr. Dunn - *The Man Behind The Gun* (1953), as Sen. Mark Sheldon - *Stars and Stripes Forever* (1952), as Maj. George Porter Houston - *Battles of Chief Pontiac* (1952), as Maj. Gladwin - *Cripple Creek* (1952), as Marshal John Tetheroe - *Skirts Ahoy!* (1952), as Captain Graymont - *Hoodlum Empire* (1952), as Police Chief - *The Big Trees* (1952), as Judge Crenshaw - *The Cimarron Kid* (1952), as Pat Roberts - *The Man with a Cloak* (1951), as Policeman - *The Tanks Are Coming* (1951), as Major General - *Fighting Coast Guard* (1951), as Captain Gibbs - *I Was a Communist for the FBI* (1951), as Father Novac - *Santa Fe* (1951), as Cole Sanders - *The Enforcer* (1951), as Captain Frank Nelson - *The Second Face* (1950), as Allan Wesson - *Stage to Tucson* (1950), as Jim Maroon - *Wyoming Mail* (1950), as Charles De Haven - *The Killer That Stalked New York* (1950), as Mayor of New York - *Force of Evil* (1950), as Ben Tucker - *Sierra* (1950), as Sheriff Knudsen - *The Palomino* (1950), as Ben Lane - *Borderline* (1950), as Harvey Gumbin - *Chain Lightning* (1950), as Maj. Gen. Hewitt - *The Reckless Moment* (1949), as Nagel — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-reckless-moment.md) - *Bodyhold* (1949), as Charlie Webster - *A Kiss for Corliss* (1949), as Uncle George - *Chicago Deadline* (1949), as Jerry Cavanaugh - *Miss Grant Takes Richmond* (1949), as Roberts - Construction Foreman (uncredited) - *Calamity Jane and Sam Bass* (1949), as Marshal Peak - *Flaming Fury* (1949), as Capt. S. Taplinger - *He Walked by Night* (1949), as Police Captain Breen - *Chicken Every Sunday* (1949), as Harry Bowers - *Joan of Arc* (1948), as Wandamme, a Burgundian Captain - *No Minor Vices* (1948), as Mr. Felton (uncredited) - *The Gay Intruders* (1948), as Charles McNulty - *Fury at Furnace Creek* (1948), as Al Shanks - *Daisy Kenyon* (1947), Actor - *Captain from Castile* (1947), as Capt. Alvarado - *Gentleman's Agreement* (1947), as Mr. Calkins — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/gentlemans-agreement.md) - *Nightmare Alley* (1947), as McGraw / Final Carnival Owner (uncredited) - *The Foxes of Harrow* (1947), as Tom Warren - *The Brasher Doubloon* (1947), as Lt. Breez - *The Shocking Miss Pilgrim* (1947), as Mr. Foster - *My Darling Clementine* (1946), as Mayor — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/my-darling-clementine.md) - *It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog* (1946), as "Mitch" Mitchell - *Smoky* (1946), as Jeff Nix - *Strange Triangle* (1946), as Harry Matthews - *Johnny Comes Flying Home* (1946), as J.P. Hartley - *Behind Green Lights* (1946), as Max Calvert - *Colonel Effingham's Raid* (1946), as Army Captain Rampey - *Within These Walls* (1945), as Martin 'Marty' Deutsch - *A Bell for Adano* (1945), as Col. W.W. Middleton - Provost Marshal - *The Caribbean Mystery* (1945), as Capt. Van den Bark - *Circumstantial Evidence* (1945), as Marty Hannon - *Wilson* (1944), as Ike Hoover - Chief White House Butler (uncredited) — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/wilson.md) - *Roger Touhy, Gangster* (1944), as Frank Williams - FBI Chief (uncredited) - *Tampico* (1944), as Crawford (uncredited) - *The Fighting Sullivans* (1944), as Father Francis - *Guadalcanal Diary* (1943), as Capt. Jame Cross - *Boy, Oh Boy* (1936), as Mr. Hutchinson ## Gallery - ![Roy Roberts in The Big Trees - cropped screenshot (1955)](https://film.one/media/person/377956/gallery-4eeeea0b7719.jpg) Roy Roberts in The Big Trees - cropped screenshot (1955) — Film screenshot (Warner Bros.), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Roy_Roberts_in_The_Big_Trees_%281955%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Roy Roberts](https://film.one/media/person/377956/gallery-3393bf0de0eb.jpg) Roy Roberts — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/roy-roberts