Charles Bickford

Charles Ambrose Bickford (January 1, 1891 – November 9, 1967) was an American actor renowned for his supporting roles. Boasting a prolific career spanning from 1911 to 1967, Bickford was thrice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for notable performances in The Song of Bernadette (1943), The Farmer's Daughter (1947) and Johnny Belinda (1948). He also starred in other celebrated films such as Whirlpool (1950), A Star Is Born (1954) and The Big Country (1958).

Born in the first minute of 1891, Bickford grew up as an unruly child with a profound relationship with his sea-captain grandfather. Starting his life in different jobs, like a lumberjack, investment promoter, he even ran a pest-extermination business. After a dare, his acting journey began on the burlesque stage, which eventually led him to Broadway and gave him a training ground for his acting and vocal talents. Bickford transitioned to character roles due to neck scarring from a lion attack and his advancing age in 1935. He later found success playing array of character roles in films and television. Bickford remained active in acting till his death, guest-starring in popular shows of his time like The Islanders, The Barbara Stanwyck Show and The Eleventh Hour, and playing rancher John Grainger in The Virginian.