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.