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Douglas Spencer
Actor
Born February 10, 1910Died October 6, 1960 (50 years)
Douglas Spencer (born July 4, 1910 – March 5, 1960) was an American actor, best known for his roles in classic science fiction films and film noirs during the 1940s and 1950s.
Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theater before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time.
Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles.
In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood.
Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama.
Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries.
Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films.
Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.
Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theater before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time.
Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles.
In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood.
Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama.
Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries.
Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films.
Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.
Known For
Filmography
| 2005 | |
| 1979 | The Horror Show · as Cast |
| 1961 | The Sins of Rachel Cade · as Doctor Bikel |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) · as 1st Martian |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | The Diary of Anne Frank · as Kraler |
| 1958 | The Rifleman (TV Series) |
| 1958 | Cole Younger, Gunfighter · as Marshal Fred Woodruff |
| 1958 | Saddle the Wind · as Hemp Scribner |
| 1957 | The Three Faces of Eve · as Mr. Black |
| 1957 | Short Cut to Hell · as Train Conductor |
| 1957 | The Unholy Wife · as Judge |
| 1957 | Omar Khayyam · as Pigeon Keeper |
| 1957 | Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series) · as Sheriff |
| 1956 | Man from Del Rio · as Sheriff Jack Tillman |
| 1956 | Broken Arrow (TV Series) · as Deacon |
| 1956 | Pardners · as Smith |
| 1956 | The Bold and the Brave · as Sailor In Bar |
| 1955 | A Man Alone · as Henry Slocum |
| 1955 | |
| 1955 | The Jane Wyman Show (TV Series) · as Sheriff |
| 1955 | The Kentuckian · as Frome Brother (uncredited) |
| 1955 | This Island Earth · as The Monitor Of Metaluna |
| 1955 | Smoke Signal · as Garode |
| 1955 | The Millionaire (TV Series) · as Joe Brock |
| 1955 | TV Reader's Digest (TV Series) · as Frank Heath |
| 1954 | Studio 57 (TV Series) |
| 1954 | The Raid · as Rev. Douglas |
| 1954 | Them! · as Bit Part |
| 1954 | River of No Return · as Sam Benson |
| 1953 | Meet Mr. McNutley (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1953 | Shane · as Axel 'swede' Shipstead |
| 1953 | Houdini · as Simms |
| 1953 | Trouble Along the Way · as Father Procurator Aka George |
| 1953 | The Glass Wall · as Inspector Bailey |
| 1953 | She's Back on Broadway · as Lew Ludlow |
| 1952 | Monkey Business · as Dr. Brunner |
| 1952 | Untamed Frontier · as Clayton Vance |
| 1952 | Something to Live For · as Joey (uncredited) |
| 1951 | Warpath · as Kelso |
| 1951 | A Place in the Sun · as Boatkeeper (uncredited) |
| 1951 | Come Fill the Cup · as Ike Bashaw |
| 1951 | The Redhead and the Cowboy · as Perry (union Agent) |
| 1951 | The Thing from Another World · as Ned 'scotty' Scott |
| 1951 | The Lemon Drop Kid · as Skinny Santa Claus |
| 1950 | The Goldbergs · as Superintendent Corrigan |
| 1950 | Southside 1-1000 · as Prison Chaplain |
| 1950 | The Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) · as Jonas |
| 1950 | Union Station · as Stationmaster (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Father of the Bride · as Fritz The Organist (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Paid in Full · as Curtain Hanger In Nursery |
| 1949 | The Heiress · as Minister (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Samson and Delilah · as Courtier |
| 1949 | Chicago Deadline · as Charlie - Reporter |
| 1949 | My Friend Irma · as Interior Decorator (uncredited) |
| 1949 | |
| 1949 | Red, Hot and Blue · as Actor In Theatre Group (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Top o' the Morning · as Townsman At Dance |
| 1949 | The Great Dan Patch · as Boswell County Fair Racing Official |
| 1949 | Follow Me Quietly · as Phony Judge |
| 1949 | It Happens Every Spring · as Train Conductor (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Bride of Vengeance · as False Physician |
| 1949 | Alias Nick Beal · as Henry T. Finch |
| 1948 | Sealed Verdict · as Hotel Desk Clerk |
| 1948 | Night Has a Thousand Eyes · as Dr. Ramsdell |
| 1948 | The Sainted Sisters · as Townsman (uncredited) |
| 1948 | The Big Clock · as Bert Finch |
| 1947 | Adventure Island · as Prisoner Sharing Cell With Herrick And Lochlin (uncredited) |
| 1946 | The Return of Monte Cristo · as Georges |
| 1946 | Smoky · as Gambler |
| 1946 | The Dark Corner · as Deli Customer (uncredited) |
| 1945 | The Lost Weekend · as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited) |
| 1945 | Kitty · as Guest (uncredited) |
| 1945 | Incendiary Blonde · as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited) |
| 1944 | And the Angels Sing · as Casino Patron |
| 1944 | Double Indemnity · as Lou Schwartz (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Princess O'Rourke · as Pilot (uncredited) |
| 1942 | |
| 1942 | The Mayor of 44th Street · as Dance Floor Extra - Latham's At The Lake |
| 1942 | Call Out the Marines · as Marine Lieutenant |
| 1942 | A Date with the Falcon · as Witness At Accident (uncredited) |
| 1941 | The Mexican Spitfire's Baby · as Hotel Guest |
| 1941 | Lady Scarface · as Police Secretary |
| 1941 | Hurry, Charlie, Hurry · as Newspaper Reporter |
| 1941 | Million Dollar Baby · as Reporter |
| 1940 | Little Nellie Kelly · as Policeman In Dance Line (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Christmas in July · as Man Listening To Radio (uncredited) |
| 1940 | I'm Still Alive · as Niblo's Assistant Director |
| 1940 | Men Against the Sky · as Mechanic |
| 1940 | Lucky Partners · as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Allegheny Uprising · as Prisoner In Irons |
| 1939 | The Day the Bookies Wept · as Auction Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Union Pacific · as Townsman In Saloon |