What's After the Movie
John Qualen
John Qualen or Johan Mandt Kvalen was a distinguished American character actor known for his penchant for Scandinavian roles due to his Norwegian heritage. Born on December 8, 1899, in Vancouver, British Columbia, he was a son to Norwegian immigrants, with his father serving as a Lutheran minister. Qualen's early years were trickled with many moves due to his father's duties, finalizing his high school education when he was 20 at Elgin (Illinois) High school. His acting journey began at the University of Toronto but later left to join a Toronto-based traveling troupe, which marked the inception of his career.
An unexpected stint in Ripon, Wisconsin, saw him assume the position of a principal lecturer when the scheduled one failed to show up. After proving his prowess, he formed his own troupe and later ventured into New York for additional funds by selling cookware. He made his big break on Broadway in 1929 by playing the role of Swedish janitor Carl Olsen in Elmer Rice's play Street Scene. His performance landed him another stint in the film adaptation of the play in 1931 and later featured in over one hundred films, showcasing an expert ability in using various accents, mainly Scandinavian. Qualen, who was also an accomplished flautist, played instruments with professional orchestras, including the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He was a member of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers, Hollywood's social group for actors.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about John Qualen, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how John Qualen rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Johan Mandt Kvalen
Born: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Citizenship: American
Birthday: December 8, 1899
Occupations: Actor, Flautist
Years Active: 1931-1974
Children: 3
Spouses: Pearle Larson
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring John Qualen
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
A Patch of Blue
The Searchers
The Grapes of Wrath
Tortilla Flat
Belle Le Grand
Dark Waters
365 Nights in Hollywood
Sing and Like It
He Was Her Man
The Long Voyage Home
Frasier, the Sensuous Lion
Ski Patrol
Swing Shift Maisie
My Girl Tisa
Counsellor at Law
Jungle Book
Street Scene
16 Fathoms Deep
Man on a Bus
Straight Is the Way
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
The Shepherd of the Hills
I, the Jury
Arabian Nights
Million Dollar Baby
Passion
Arrowsmith
Hi, Nellie!
Servants’ Entrance
Charlie Chan in Paris
Cheyenne Autumn
Alias a Gentleman
P.J.
Upperworld
An American Romance
Buccaneer’s Girl
Roughly Speaking
Let Us Live
North to Alaska
The Country Doctor
Breakdowns of 1942
The Mad Miss Manton
Hail, Hero!
Babies for Sale
Captain Kidd
Four Wives
Revolt in the Big House
The Big Steal
A Big Hand for the Little Lady
Knute Rockne All American
The Flying Missile
My World Dies Screaming
Goodbye, My Fancy
The Big Land
Larceny, Inc.
Chasing Yesterday
Johnny Concho
Angels Over Broadway
Doubting Thomas
The Gun Runners
Fit for a King
The Sea Chase
Out of the Fog
Woman on the Run
Two Rode Together
Ambush at Tomahawk Gap
Meet Nero Wolfe
Joy of Living
One More Spring
The Jackpot
Saturday’s Children
Honeymoon in Bali
Elmer Gantry
His Girl Friday
Wife vs. Secretary
Adventure
Our Daily Bread
The High and the Mighty
Blondie on a Budget
The Bad Man of Brimstone
The Other Woman
Hollow Triumph
The Prize
Those Calloways
Stand Up and Fight
Hans Christian Andersen
Unchained
Whipsaw
La Classe américaine
The Impostor
Girls’ Dormitory
At Gunpoint
Thunder Afloat
The Fugitive
Black Fury
Man of Iron
Let’s Fall in Love
The Great Hotel Murder
The Road to Glory
The Chaser
All That Money Can Buy
I’ll Take Sweden
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of John Qualen, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1964
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
Luther Lindquist
Cheyenne Autumn
Svenson (uncredited)
Those Calloways
Ernie Evans
1955
Man on a Bus
Second Prisoner
The Sea Chase
Chief Engineer Schmitt
Unchained
Leonard Haskins
At Gunpoint
Livingstone
1950
Buccaneer’s Girl
Vegetable Seller
The Flying Missile
Lars Hansen
Woman on the Run
Maibus
The Jackpot
Mr. Ferguson (uncredited)
1948
My Girl Tisa
Svenson
16 Fathoms Deep
Capt. Athos
Alias a Gentleman
No End
Hollow Triumph
Swangron
1942
Tortilla Flat
Jungle Book
The Barber
Arabian Nights
Aladdin
Breakdowns of 1942
Self
Larceny, Inc.
Sam Bachrach
1941
The Shepherd of the Hills
Coot Royal
Million Dollar Baby
Dr. Patterson
Out of the Fog
Olaf Johnson
All That Money Can Buy
Miser Stevens
1940
The Grapes of Wrath
The Long Voyage Home
Axel
Ski Patrol
Gustaf
Babies for Sale
Howard Anderson
Knute Rockne All American
Lars Knutson Rockne
Angels Over Broadway
Charles Engle
Saturday’s Children
First Carpenter (uncredited)
His Girl Friday
Earl Williams
Blondie on a Budget
Ed Fuddle
1939
Let Us Live
Dan (uncredited)
Four Wives
Frank
Honeymoon in Bali
Meek Man (uncredited)
Stand Up and Fight
Davy
Thunder Afloat
Milo
1938
The Mad Miss Manton
Night Watchman at Subway Construction Site
Joy of Living
Oswego
The Chaser
Lars
1936
The Country Doctor
Asa Wyatt
Meet Nero Wolfe
Olaf
Wife vs. Secretary
Mr. Jenkins (uncredited)
Girls’ Dormitory
Toni
The Road to Glory
Duflous
1935
Charlie Chan in Paris
Concierge, Dufresne's Hotel (bit)
Chasing Yesterday
Coccoz
Doubting Thomas
Von Blitzen
One More Spring
Auctioneer
Whipsaw
Will Dabson
Black Fury
Mike Shemanski
Man of Iron
Collins
The Great Hotel Murder
Ole
1934
365 Nights in Hollywood
Prof. Herman Ellenbogen
Sing and Like It
Oswald (as John M. Qualen)
He Was Her Man
Dutch, Santa Avila's Cabbie
Straight Is the Way
Mr. Clapman (uncredited)
Hi, Nellie!
Steve (uncredited)
Servants’ Entrance
Detective
Upperworld
Janitor
Our Daily Bread
Chris (as John T. Qualen)
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