From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaHarlan Briggs (August 17, 1879 – January 26, 1952) was an American actor and vaudeville performer who was active from the 1930s until his death in 1952. During the course of his career he appeared on Broadway, in over 100 films, as well as appearing on television once towards the end of his career.Briggs was born in Blissfield, Michigan. Although he was a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, he chose to go into acting rather than pursue a career in law.His acting career began in vaudeville at around the beginning of the 20th century. He would make his Broadway debut in 1926, in the drama Up the Line. He worked steadily on Broadway through 1935. On August 6, 1929 he began a successful run in the featured role of G. A. Appleby in Its a Wise Child at the Belasco Theatre. In 1934 he had another featured role in the successful play Dodsworth, as Tubby Pearson. The show opened at the Shubert Theatre on February 24, 1934 and ran for 147 performances, starring Walter Huston as Samuel Dodsworth. After a six-week hiatus, the show reopened at the Shubert on August 20 and ran for an additional 168 performances. When Samuel Goldwyn bought the rights to the play, Briggs was one of two of the original Broadway cast to reprise their roles in the film, the other being Huston in the title role.Briggs would focus on his film career for the remainder of the 1930s, before returning to Broadway in the 1940s, combining both stage and screen performances during that decade. The most successful of his Broadway appearances in the 1940s was as Constable Small in Ramshackle Inn, which featured ZaSu Pitts in her Broadway debut. The Story of Mary Surratt, in which Briggs appeared in 1947, was Briggs 400th play.Beginning with Dodsworth, Briggs worked consistently in films over the next 16 years, until his death in 1952, appearing in over 100 films. His most famous role was as Dr. Stall in the 1940 comedy classic The Bank Dick, starring W.C. Fields. Other notable films in which he appeared include After the Thin Man (1936), Stella Dallas (1937), Having Wonderful Time (1938), The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), My Little Chickadee (1940), Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940), State Fair (1945), Night and Day (1946), Little Women (1949), Goodbye, My Fancy (1951), and Carrie (1952). The last film on which Briggs worked was The Sea Hornet, which was in production in April and May 1951, and released later that year.On January 26, 1952, Briggs died in Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital from complications resulting from a heart attack. His death occurred almost half a year prior to the release of Carrie.Briggs married actress Viola Scott on July 3, 1914. They had four sons.
Mr. Holden
Film 1939
'Colonel' Harris
Film 1938
Pawnbroker #2 (uncredited)
Film 1945
Mr. Shaw
Film 1938
Deputy Sheriff Cal Hoskins
Film 1939
Printer (uncredited)
Film 1938
David Sullivan (uncredited)
Film 1933
Oscar Stubbins
Film 1937
Darnstein
Film 1947
Homer Ramsey
Film 1938
U.S. Consul E.R. Brown
Film 1936
Mr. Harrison
Film 1937
Springer
Film 1937
Toy Shop Proprietor (uncredited)
Film 1947
Judge
Film 1941
J.M. Dingle, Napoleon Hardware
Film 1947
Ship's Captain
Film 1938
Frank Kendall - Editor
Film 1938
Thorndyke Barnsdale
Film 1937
Salty
Film 1947
Mr. Beamer (uncredited)
Film 1937
Mayor
Film 1938
Mr. Howard
Film 1946
Mr. Virgil Miller
Film 1937
Charlie Graham
Film 1939
Joe Brant
Film 1952
Ben Jones (uncredited)
Film 1933
Judge (uncredited)
Film 1939
Mr. Rucker (uncredited)
Film 1939
James Galt
Film 1939
Stanton (uncredited)
Film 1939
Defense Attorney Parker (uncredited)
Film 1939
Mr. Edwards (uncredited)
Film 1939
Lem Dodd, Man in Jim's Office (uncredited)
Film 1939
Foreman in Jury
Film 1940
'Pop' Hussey
Film 1939
Thomas A. Bailey - Acme Paving (uncredited)
Film 1940
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Film 1940
Customer at Gas Station (uncredited)
Film 1938
Mayor Carver (uncredited)
Film 1940
Mayor (uncredited)
Film 1940
Watchman
Film 1951
Justice of the Peace
Film 1939
Dr. Bentley
Film 1946
Dr. Kinsley
Film 1940
Mr. Garnish
Film 1938
Tubby Pearson
Film 1936
Sheriff Clem Watkins
Film 1942
Luke Simpson
Film 1942
Mr. Rogard
Film 1942
Sheriff
Film 1937
Sad Man in Nightclub (uncredited)
Film 1937
Quinn
Film 1946
Mr. Kinney
Film 1936
Sheriff
Film 1937
Mac MacFarland (uncredited)
Film 1941
Dr. Balance (uncredited)
Film 1946