--- name: "Spencer Charters" canonical: "https://film.one/person/spencer-charters" roles: [] born: "23 March 1875" died: "25 January 1943" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_over: 5 updated: "2026-09-20T00:45:53.545068+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." --- # Spencer Charters Actor. Born 23 March 1875 in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, USA. Died 25 January 1943. ## Details - **Born:** 23 March 1875, Duncannon, Pennsylvania, USA - **Died:** 25 January 1943 - **Active:** 1936–1940 - **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 3 acting, 2 other - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1930s 74 (3), 1940s 72 (2) - **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Romance 3, Comedy 2, Family 1, History 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $3m across 1 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Charters, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3493013, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153556/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34280 ## Biography Spencer Charters was an American actor. He appeared in more than 220 films between 1920 and 1943, mostly in small supporting roles as judges, clerks, managers and similar characters. He began his career on stage and performed on Broadway between 1910 and 1929 before becoming a busy character actor in Hollywood during the 1930s and early 1940s. Among his credits are *Libeled Lady* (1936) as Magistrate, *Mr. Deeds Goes to Town* (1936), *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939), *High Sierra* (1941) and *Arsenic and Old Lace* (1944). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) ### Performed in (3) - *Our Town* (1940), Fi1m 72, as Constable — [page](https://film.one/film/our-town.md) - *In Old Chicago* (1938), Fi1m 64, as Commissioner W.J. Beavers — [page](https://film.one/film/in-old-chicago.md) - *Libeled Lady* (1936), Fi1m 77, as Magistrate — [page](https://film.one/film/libeled-lady.md) ### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *The Pride of the Yankees* (1942), Fi1m 71, as Mr. Larsen (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-pride-of-the-yankees.md) - *Mr. Deeds Goes to Town* (1936), Fi1m 82, as Mal (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-deeds-goes-to-town.md) ## Complete filmography (194) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Arsenic and Old Lace* (1944), as Marriage License Clerk - *Slightly Dangerous* (1943), as Claudius Swade- motel owner (uncredited) - *Silver Queen* (1942), as Doc Stonebraker - *Scattergood Survives a Murder* (1942), as Sheriff - *The Pride of the Yankees* (1942), as Mr. Larsen (uncredited) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-pride-of-the-yankees.md) - *The Postman Didn't Ring* (1942), as Judge Ben Holt - *Dr. Broadway* (1942), as Oscar Titus - *The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine* (1942), as Cheevers Snow - *The Night Before the Divorce* (1942), as Second Judge - *The Remarkable Andrew* (1942), as Dr. Clarence Upjohn - *Right to the Heart* (1942), as Jonah - *Pacific Blackout* (1941), as Cornelius - *Bedtime Story* (1941), as Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) - *Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case* (1941), as Judge White - *Look Who's Laughing* (1941), as Motel Manager - *They Died with Their Boots On* (1941), as Station Master (uncredited) - *Man at Large* (1941), as Mr. Gallon - *Hold That Ghost* (1941), as Storekeeper (uncredited) - *Bad Men of Missouri* (1941), as Clem - *Moon Over Miami* (1941), as Joe, the Postman - *The Singing Hill* (1941), as Judge Henry Starrbottle - *The Lady from Cheyenne* (1941), as Dr. McGuinness - *So Ends Our Night* (1941), as Swiss Policeman - *Tobacco Road* (1941), as County Clerk - *Petticoat Politics* (1941), as Grandpa - *High Sierra* (1941), as Ed - *Santa Fe Trail* (1940), as Conductor - *She Couldn't Say No* (1940), as Hank Woodcock - *Meet the Missus* (1940), as Grandpa - *Friendly Neighbors* (1940), as Bumblebee Hibbs - *Blondie Plays Cupid* (1940), as Onkel Abner Henderson - *The Golden Fleecing* (1940), as Justice of Peace - *The Boys from Syracuse* (1940), as Turnkey - *Girl from God's Country* (1940), as Dealer - *Maryland* (1940), as Judge - *Three Faces West* (1940), as Dr. 'Nunk' Atterbury - *Lucky Cisco Kid* (1940), as Hotel Guest - *Our Town* (1940), as Constable — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/our-town.md) - *Alias the Deacon* (1940), as Sheriff Yates - *The Doctor Takes a Wife* (1940), as Henry Quinn (uncredited) - *Virginia City* (1940), as Sazerac Saloon Bartender (uncredited) - *Remember the Night* (1940), as Judge at Rummage Sale - *He Married His Wife* (1940), as Mayer - *Two Thoroughbreds* (1939), as Doc Purdy - *Drums Along the Mohawk* (1939), as Innkeeper - *The Covered Trailer* (1939), as Sheriff - *Dust Be My Destiny* (1939), as F.W. Jennson (uncredited) - *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1939), as Court Clerk - *The Under-Pup* (1939), as Druggist - *In Name Only* (1939), as Gardener - *Second Fiddle* (1939), as Joe Clayton - *Unexpected Father* (1939), as Magistrate - *Young Mr. Lincoln* (1939), as Judge Herbert A. Bell - *Exile Express* (1939), as Justice Henry P. Smith - *They Asked For It* (1939), as Chief Lawson - *Hotel Imperial* (1939), as Visoff (uncredited) - *Women in the Wind* (1939), as Farmer - *They Made Her a Spy* (1939), as Lucius Wilkins - *The Kid From Texas* (1939), as Deputy Sheriff Serving Attachment Papers - *Dodge City* (1939), as Reverend (uncredited) - *The Flying Irishman* (1939), as Smedley - *I'm from Missouri* (1939), as Charley Shook - Mule Breeder - *The Lady and the Mob* (1939), as Flanagan, Bank Guard - *Inside Story* (1939), as Uncle Ben Perkins - *Yes, My Darling Daughter* (1939), as Angus Dibble - *Boy Trouble* (1939), as Bradley - *Jesse James* (1939), as Minister - *Topper Takes a Trip* (1938), as Judge - *Strange Faces* (1938), as Mason City Sheriff - *Spring Madness* (1938), as Police Chief - *Five of a Kind* (1938), as Rev. Matthew Brand - *Stablemates* (1938), as Choirmaster - *Breaking the Ice* (1938), as Smith - *Mr. Chump* (1938), as Mr. Koeper - *Four's a Crowd* (1938), as Charlie (uncredited) - *The Road to Reno* (1938), as The Judge - *Professor Beware* (1938), as Sheriff Henry Sweatt - *Three Blind Mice* (1938), as Hendricks - *Three Comrades* (1938), as Herr Schultz - *One Wild Night* (1938), as Lem Halliday - *Vivacious Lady* (1938), as Husband Shaving on Train (uncredited) - *Crime School* (1938), as Old Doctor - *Joy of Living* (1938), as Magistrate - *In Old Chicago* (1938), as Commissioner W.J. Beavers — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/in-old-chicago.md) - *Mr. Boggs Steps Out* (1938), as Angus Tubbs - *Forbidden Valley* (1938), as Dr. Scudd - *The Jury's Secret* (1938), as Old Man - *Wells Fargo* (1937), as Jethro - Old Confederate - *Lady Behave!* (1937), as Innkeeper - *Checkers* (1937), as Zeb - *Big Town Girl* (1937), as Isaiah Wickenback - *The Hurricane* (1937), as Judge (uncredited) - *Danger – Love at Work* (1937), as Taxi driver - *Behind the Mike* (1937), as Pete Jones - *Wife, Doctor and Nurse* (1937), as Uncle - *Make a Wish* (1937), as Station Agent - *Back in Circulation* (1937), as The Sheriff - *Ever Since Eve* (1937), as Mike - Monteray Tavern Porter (uncredited) - *The Emperor's Candlesticks* (1937), as Usher (uncredited) - *She Had to Eat* (1937), as Franklin (uncredited) - *Mountain Music* (1937), as Justice of the Peace Sharody - *Fifty Roads to Town* (1937), as George Hession - *Pick a Star* (1937), as Judge - *Venus Makes Trouble* (1937), as Joel Willard - *Girl Loves Boy* (1937), as Rufus Boggs - *Dangerous Number* (1937), as Jeffers Gass - Justice of the Peace - *The Mighty Treve* (1937), as Watling - *Lady from Nowhere* (1936), as Alexander Scorzo - *Career Woman* (1936), as Coroner McInery - *Banjo on My Knee* (1936), as Judge Tope - *Four Days Wonder* (1936), as Gilroy - *Fugitive in the Sky* (1936), as Henry Staeger - *All American Chump* (1936), as Abiah Smith - *Libeled Lady* (1936), as Magistrate — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/libeled-lady.md) - *The Texas Rangers* (1936), as Sheriff (uncredited) - *Postal Inspector* (1936), as Grumpy - *Back to Nature* (1936), as Deputy Sheriff Putney - *36 Hours to Kill* (1936), as Mr. Hutchins - *Spendthrift* (1936), as Col. Barnaby - *The Bride Walks Out* (1936), as Marriage Bureau Justice of the Peace (uncredited) - *The Mine with the Iron Door* (1936), as Thad Hill - *F-Man* (1936), as Sheriff Hank 'One Gun' Groder - *The Ex-Mrs. Bradford* (1936), as Dr. Bunting (uncredited) - *The Harvester* (1936), as Stubby Pratt - *Murder on a Bridle Path* (1936), as Warden Sylvester Mahoney - *The Moon's Our Home* (1936), as Abner Simpson - *Mr. Deeds Goes to Town* (1936), as Mal (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-deeds-goes-to-town.md) - *Till We Meet Again* (1936), as Herr Hoffer - *The Farmer in the Dell* (1936), as Milkman - *Colleen* (1936), as Doctor (uncredited) - *Boulder Dam* (1936), as First Sheriff (uncredited) - *Love on a Bet* (1936), as Plaza Ritz Hotel Owner - *The Preview Murder Mystery* (1936), as Jones - Watchman - *Don’t Get Personal* (1936), as Mr. Charles van Ranseleer - *In Person* (1935), as Parson Calverton Lunk - *The Great American Pie Company* (1935), as Phineas Doolittle (uncredited) - *The Goose and the Gander* (1935), as Winkel 'Wink' Steinberg - *The Gay Deception* (1935), as Mr. Mercer (uncredited) - *Welcome Home* (1935), as Constable Mulhausen - *Don't Bet on Blondes* (1935), as Doc - *The Raven* (1935), as Col. Bertram Grant - *Stranded* (1935), as Boatman - *Whispering Smith Speaks* (1935), as Cal Stone - *Star of Midnight* (1935), as Hotel Doorman (uncredited) - *Eight Bells* (1935), as Walker - *The Nut Farm* (1935), as Sliscomb, the Landlord - *Murder on a Honeymoon* (1935), as Chief of Police Britt - *Caravan* (1934), as Flunkey (Uncredited) - *The Secret Bride* (1934), as Diner 2 (uncredited) - *Romance in Manhattan* (1934), as Clerk (uncredited) - *The Ghost Walks* (1934), as Guard - *It's a Gift* (1934), as Gate Guard - *The St. Louis Kid* (1934), as Messeldopp - *The Firebird* (1934), as Max Bauer, the Porter - *Wake Up and Dream* (1934), as Earl Craft - *The Pursuit of Happiness* (1934), as Sam Evans - *Million Dollar Ransom* (1934), as Pop McGarry (Uncredited) - *Blind Date* (1934), as Pa Taylor - *The Circus Clown* (1934), as Kingsley - *Half a Sinner* (1934), as Noel Cunningham - *The Loudspeaker* (1934), as Burroughs - *Rough Necking* (1934), as Mr. Marshall - *Fashions of 1934* (1934), as Man Removing Telephone - *Hips, Hips, Hooray!* (1934), as Mr. Clark - *Mr. Skitch* (1933), as Mr. Umpchay - *Lady Killer* (1933), as Los Angeles Cop (uncredited) - *From Headquarters* (1933), as Teletype Man (uncredited) - *Female* (1933), as Tom - *The Kennel Murder Case* (1933), as Sergeant Snitkin (uncredited) - *Gambling Ship* (1933), as Detective - *So This Is Africa* (1933), as Doctor - *Gabriel Over the White House* (1933), as Vice President (uncredited) - *The Match King* (1932), as Oscar - *20,000 Years in Sing Sing* (1932), as Officer Daniels (uncredited) - *Central Park* (1932), as Police Sergeant Riley (uncredited) - *Three on a Match* (1932), as Street Cleaner (uncredited) - *The Crooked Circle* (1932), as Kinny - *Movie Crazy* (1932), as J.L. O'Brien - *Hold 'Em Jail* (1932), as Governor - *Jewel Robbery* (1932), as Johann Christian Lenz - *The Tenderfoot* (1932), as Oscar - *The Famous Ferguson Case* (1932), as Fire Chief (uncredited) - *Union Depot* (1932), as Police Officer Bert Brady (uncredited) - *Palmy Days* (1931), as Mr. Clark - *Traveling Husbands* (1931), as Joe - *Ex-Bad Boy* (1931), as Henry Simmons - *The Front Page* (1931), as Woodenshoes - *Lonely Wives* (1931), as Andrews, the Butler - *The Bat Whispers* (1930), as The Caretaker - *Whoopee!* (1930), as Jerome Underwood - *Dancing Mothers* (1926), as Butter and Egg Man - *Janice Meredith* (1924), as Squire Hennion - *Little Old New York* (1923), as Bunny - *April Folly* (1920), as Dobbs ## Gallery - ![Spencer Charters](https://film.one/media/person/1229113/gallery-16244113a0d5.jpg) Spencer Charters — Film screenshot (Warner Bros.), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Spencer_Charters_in_Santa_Fe_Trail_%281940%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Spencer Charters](https://film.one/media/person/1229113/gallery-0b724ad63d95.jpg) Spencer Charters — 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/spencer-charters