Moroni Olsen
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 – November 22, 1954) was an American actor.
Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Some sources have claimed that Olsen's birth name was John Willard Clawson, but there appears to be no support for this claim.
Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University. He then went to study at the University of Utah, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time.
In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle.
After having worked on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring Don Ameche as D'Artagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor.
His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in It's a Wonderful Life.
Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church, being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years.
Known For
Acting
1946
asWalter Beardsley
1938
asMagic Mirror (voice) (uncredited)
1940
asRobert E. Lee
1945
asInspector Peterson
1947
asDr. Ames - Mrs. Smith's psychiatrist
1950
asHerbert Dunstan
1951
asHerbert Dunstan
1949
asChairman
1954
asMr. Tewitt
1938
asKurt Larsen
1939
asSlim Jones
1948
asParole Board Chairman
1946
asRev. Thatcher
1947
asDr. Philip Dunlap
1947
asDr. Humphries
1944
asSen. Frederici
1939
asTom Calhoon
1939
asBuck Russell
1944
asCaliph Hassan
1935
asCol. William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody
1947
asChief of Police Bob McManus
1942
asBrenner
1942
asRalph Henry
1941
asSenior Surgeon at San Diego
1937
asDetective Danny Shea (uncredited)
1941
asMr. John Goodwin
1945
asCapt. Burroughs
1951
asHenry Manston
1940
asDoc Richards
1941
asDr. John Romer
1945
asHouse Detective
1953
asMr. Courtney
1946
asBishop Martin
1944
asGeneral (uncredited)
1935
asPorthos
1944
asRiley
1952
asPorthos
1940
asJudge R.D. Davis
1952
asSpeaker Of The House
1935
asMayor Jim Cargen
1936
asDavis, the bodyguard
1946
asJudge Henderson
1939
asThe friar
1939
asManaging Editor
1947
asTrenton Gateley
1953
asArnold Reuben
1941
asSylvanus Q. Sattherwaite
1948
asBig Jim Fitts
1942
asDr. Henry Olcott
1935
asR.J. Curran
1936
asJake
1949
asTargil
1936
asMissouri
1938
asThe Fleet Captain
1938
asJohn Dillon - 1938
1939
asSupt. Andrew Standing
1936
asJohn Knox
1952
asSam Houston
1938
asFisherman (uncredited)
1939
asJonathan Forbes
1948
asCongressman Stone
1939
asCaptain Haines
1936
asCyrus Benton
1936
asDr. Edward Sterling
1940
asCameron
1939
asBailiff
1941
asPhilip G. Talbot
1936
asLt. Poole
1945
asHenry Bennett
1937
asFirst Mate Rand Husk
1938
asDouglas
1946
asSenior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
1943
asCol. Blake
1949
asAdm. Ames
1940
asMajor Terry
1936
asChester Hart
1951
asRear Adm. Joshua Rice
1936
asGeneral Connally
1938
asSenator Hearst
1938
asFullerton's Associate (uncredited)
1947
asDon Toland
1942
asMajor Allen
1941
asDr. Walter Terriss
1942
asAndrew Barr
1951
asMr. Barton
1937
asTartar Chief (Voice) (Uncredited)
1954
asPope Leo I
1939
asJuvenal Court Judge
1940
asMr. Blair
1939
asRoyal Governor Dunmore
1943
asCol. Faymonville
1943
asPresident of Businessman's Board (uncredited)
1943
asCommandant
1946
asTim Bagley
1944
asMacDonald
1942
asPaul Grebeau
1939
asThe Warden
1938
asBearded Leader of the People (uncredited)
1934
asCardinal De Valle (uncredited)
asJudge
Production
Crew
Directing
