Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

172

Gender

Male

Birthday

1874-10-02

Day of Death

1949-04-22 (75 years old)

Place of Birth

Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA

Also Known As

Charles B. Middleton

Charlie Middleton

Chas. Middleton

Charles Middletown

Charles Brown Middleton

Charles Middleton

Biography

Charles Brown Middleton (October 3, 1874 – April 22, 1949) was an American stage and film actor. During a film career that began at age 46 and lasted almost 30 years, he appeared in nearly 200 films as well as numerous plays. Sometimes credited as Charles B. Middleton, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the villainous emperor Ming the Merciless in the three Flash Gordon serials made between 1936 and 1940.

Known For

Acting

The Grapes of Wrath

1940

The Grapes of Wrath

as

Leader

Duck Soup

1933

Duck Soup

as

Prosecutor

Santa Fe Trail

1940

Santa Fe Trail

as

Gentry

Flash Gordon

1936

Flash Gordon

as

Ming the Merciless

My Girl Tisa

1948

My Girl Tisa

as

The Pretender

1947

The Pretender

as

William the butler

The Town Went Wild

1944

The Town Went Wild

as

Sam, Midvale District Attorney

The Flying Deuces

1939

The Flying Deuces

as

Commandant

Show Boat

1936

Show Boat

as

Sheriff Ike Vallon

The Strange Case of Dr. Meade

1938

The Strange Case of Dr. Meade

as

Lacey

Strangler of the Swamp

1946

Strangler of the Swamp

as

Ferryman Douglas

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

1936

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

as

Blacksmith

Boobs in the Night

1943

Boobs in the Night

as

Station West

1948

Station West

as

Sheriff

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

1940

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

as

Tom Lincoln

The Miracle Woman

1931

The Miracle Woman

as

Simpson

Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise

1940

Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise

as

Jeremiah Walters

The Good Earth

1937

The Good Earth

as

Banker (uncredited)

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe

1940

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe

as

Emperor Ming

High Pressure

1932

High Pressure

as

Mr. Banks

Beau Hunks

1931

Beau Hunks

as

Commandant

The Fixer Uppers

1935

The Fixer Uppers

as

Pierre Gustave

The Sign of the Cross

1932

The Sign of the Cross

as

Tyros

Murder at the Vanities

1934

Murder at the Vanities

as

Homer Boothby

Safe in Hell

1931

Safe in Hell

as

Lawyer Jones

Welcome Danger

1929

Welcome Danger

as

John Thorne / The Dragon

Belle Starr

1941

Belle Starr

as

Carpetbagger

Caught Plastered

1931

Caught Plastered

as

Sheriff Flint

Lone Cowboy

1933

Lone Cowboy

as

U.S. Marshal

Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch

1934

Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch

as

Mr. Bagby

Spook Busters

1946

Spook Busters

as

Mr. Stiles

Broadway Bill

1934

Broadway Bill

as

Veterinarian (uncredited)

Hell's Highway

1932

Hell's Highway

as

Matthew the Hermit

The Black Raven

1943

The Black Raven

as

Sheriff

The Devil's Cabaret

1930

The Devil's Cabaret

as

Mr. Satan (uncredited)

Breach of Promise

1932

Breach of Promise

as

Joe Pugmire

Here Comes Trouble

1948

Here Comes Trouble

as

Reporter (uncredited)

A House Divided

1931

A House Divided

as

Minister

Frisco Kid

1935

Frisco Kid

as

Speaker (uncredited)

This Day and Age

1933

This Day and Age

as

District Attorney

A Look at the World of 'Soylent Green'

1973

A Look at the World of 'Soylent Green'

as

Self (archive footage)

Palmy Days

1931

Palmy Days

as

Yolando

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars

1938

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars

as

Emperor Ming

Purple Death from Outer Space

1966

Purple Death from Outer Space

as

Ming the Merciless

The Far Call

1929

The Far Call

as

Kris Larsen

Ramona

1936

Ramona

as

American Settler (uncredited)

X Marks the Spot

1931

X Marks the Spot

as

Kirby

East Is West

1930

East Is West

as

Dr. Fredericks

The Hatchet Man

1932

The Hatchet Man

as

Lip Hop Fat

The Strange Love of Molly Louvain

1932

The Strange Love of Molly Louvain

as

Police Capt. Slade

Destination Unknown

1933

Destination Unknown

as

Turk

Stand-In

1937

Stand-In

as

Actor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln

Song of the Saddle

1936

Song of the Saddle

as

Phineas P. Hook

Tomorrow at Seven

1933

Tomorrow at Seven

as

Jerry Simons

Pick-up

1933

Pick-up

as

Mr. Brewster

The Road Is Open Again

1933

The Road Is Open Again

as

Abraham Lincoln

The Miracle Rider

1935

The Miracle Rider

as

Zaroff

White Woman

1933

White Woman

as

Fenton

Cowboys from Texas

1939

Cowboys from Texas

as

Kansas Jones

Massacre

1934

Massacre

as

Sheriff Scatters

Road Gang

1936

Road Gang

as

Grayson

Daredevils of the Red Circle

1939

Daredevils of the Red Circle

as

39013

The Three Musketeers

1933

The Three Musketeers

as

El Shaitan (voice)

Hollywood Cowboy

1937

Hollywood Cowboy

as

'Doc' Kramer

We're on the Jury

1937

We're on the Jury

as

Mr. Martin

Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge

1937

Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge

as

Gene Autry Sr.

Mr. Skitch

1933

Mr. Skitch

as

Joe

Mystery Ranch

1932

Mystery Ranch

as

Henry Steele

Welcome Stranger

1947

Welcome Stranger

as

Farmer Pinkett (uncredited)

The Last Round-up

1934

The Last Round-up

as

Sheriff

Reckless

1935

Reckless

as

District Attorney (uncredited)

David Harum

1934

David Harum

as

Deacon

Dick Tracy Returns

1938

Dick Tracy Returns

as

Pa Stark

Flaming Frontiers

1938

Flaming Frontiers

as

Ace Daggett

The Killers

1946

The Killers

as

Farmer (uncredited)

Northwest Trail

1945

Northwest Trail

as

Pierre

Shooting High

1940

Shooting High

as

Hod Carson

Way Out West

1930

Way Out West

as

Buck Rankin

Going Hollywood: The '30s

1984

Going Hollywood: The '30s

as

(archive footage)

Sunset Pass

1933

Sunset Pass

as

Williams

Perils of Nyoka

1942

Perils of Nyoka

as

Cassib

Disgraced!

1933

Disgraced!

as

District Attorney

Spook Louder

1943

Spook Louder

as

Graves' Valet

Slave Ship

1937

Slave Ship

as

Slave Dealer

Red Morning

1934

Red Morning

as

Stanchon

Kentucky

1938

Kentucky

as

Southerner

Jesse James

1939

Jesse James

as

Doctor

Too Busy to Work

1932

Too Busy to Work

as

Chief of Police

Wild Geese Calling

1941

Wild Geese Calling

as

Doctor Jed Sloan

Rockabye

1932

Rockabye

as

District Attorney (uncredited)

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

1948

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House

as

Wrecker (uncredited)

Men of San Quentin

1942

Men of San Quentin

as

Saunderson

The Oklahoma Kid

1939

The Oklahoma Kid

as

Alec Martin

The Decision of Christopher Blake

1948

The Decision of Christopher Blake

as

President in Dream (uncredited)

Manhattan Parade

1931

Manhattan Parade

as

Sheriff Casey

Hop-a-long Cassidy

1935

Hop-a-long Cassidy

as

Buck Peters

The Mystery of Marie Roget

1942

The Mystery of Marie Roget

as

Curator

Pack Up Your Troubles

1932

Pack Up Your Troubles

as

Welfare Association Officer

Virginia City

1940

Virginia City

as

Jefferson Davis

A Dangerous Affair

1931

A Dangerous Affair

as

Tupper

The Bellamy Trial

1929

The Bellamy Trial

as

District Attorney

Allegheny Uprising

1939

Allegheny Uprising

as

Dr. Stoke

Way Down South

1939

Way Down South

as

Cass

Wyoming Outlaw

1939

Wyoming Outlaw

as

Luke Parker

Gone with the Wind

1939

Gone with the Wind

as

Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)

The Texas Rangers

1936

The Texas Rangers

as

Lawyer (uncredited)

Empty Saddles

1936

Empty Saddles

as

Cim White

Blackmail

1939

Blackmail

as

Southern Deputy (uncredited)

Sunset of Power

1936

Sunset of Power

as

Neil Brannum

Square Shooter

1935

Square Shooter

as

Miller

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

1932

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

as

Train Conductor (uncredited)

Wagon Wheels West

1943

Wagon Wheels West

as

Phineas Hook

Two Gun Law

1937

Two Gun Law

as

Wolf Larson

The Shepherd of the Hills

1941

The Shepherd of the Hills

as

Blacksmith (uncredited)

Women in Hiding

1940

Women in Hiding

as

Alice's Father (uncredited)

Rangers of Fortune

1940

Rangers of Fortune

as

Water Thug

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

1945

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

as

Mr. Jensen

Eyes of the Navy

1940

Eyes of the Navy

as

Farmer (uncredited)

Rocket Ship

1938

Rocket Ship

as

Emperor Ming

A Son Comes Home

1936

A Son Comes Home

as

Prosecutor

The Phantom President

1932

The Phantom President

as

Abe Lincoln (uncredited)

Rose of the Rancho

1936

Rose of the Rancho

as

Horse Doctor (uncredited)

Jailbreak

1936

Jailbreak

as

Dan Stone

Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'

1948

Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'

as

Townsman (uncredited)

Thou Shalt Not Kill

1939

Thou Shalt Not Kill

as

Lars Olsen

Ships of Hate

1931

Ships of Hate

as

Captain Lash

Jungle Man

1941

Jungle Man

as

Rev. James 'Jim' Graham

The Sea of Grass

1947

The Sea of Grass

as

Charley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)

Brigham Young

1940

Brigham Young

as

Mob Member

Stick to Your Guns

1941

Stick to Your Guns

as

Long Ben, gambler-saloon owner

1944

Black Arrow

as

Tom Whitney

Gunfighters

1947

Gunfighters

as

Sheriff #1 (uncredited)

Sergeant York

1941

Sergeant York

as

Mountaineer (uncredited)

Jezebel

1938

Jezebel

as

Officer (uncredited)

At Twelve Midnight

1933

At Twelve Midnight

as

Roger Thurston

Island of Doomed Men

1940

Island of Doomed Men

as

Captain Cort

An American Tragedy

1931

An American Tragedy

as

Attorney Reuben Jephson

Special Agent

1935

Special Agent

as

State Police Commander (uncredited)

The Bowery

1933

The Bowery

as

Detective (uncredited)

Wedding Present

1936

Wedding Present

as

Turnbull

Mars Attacks the World

1938

Mars Attacks the World

as

Ming the Merciless

Captain Fury

1939

Captain Fury

as

Mergon

Doctor Bull

1933

Doctor Bull

as

Mr. Upjohn

Steamboat Round the Bend

1935

Steamboat Round the Bend

as

Fleety Belle's Father

Western Union

1941

Western Union

as

Stagecoach Rider

Wild Bill Hickok Rides

1942

Wild Bill Hickok Rides

as

Claim Jumping Leader

The Last Bandit

1949

The Last Bandit

as

Blindfolded Circuit Rider

Career Woman

1936

Career Woman

as

Matt Clay

Gold Rush Maisie

1940

Gold Rush Maisie

as

Camp Owner with a Pig (Uncredited)

The Ruling Voice

1931

The Ruling Voice

as

Board Member (uncredited)

Whom the Gods Destroy

1934

Whom the Gods Destroy

as

Constable Malcolm (uncredited)

How DOooo You Do

1945

How DOooo You Do

as

Sheriff Hayworth

Silver Dollar

1932

Silver Dollar

as

Jenkins

Beau Bandit

1930

Beau Bandit

as

Lucius J. Perkins

Behold My Wife!

1934

Behold My Wife!

as

Juan Storm Cloud

$1,000 a Touchdown

1939

$1,000 a Touchdown

as

Stage Manager (uncredited)

Oklahoma Outlaws

1943

Oklahoma Outlaws

as

Judge Ringle

The Man Without a Country

1937

The Man Without a Country

as

President Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)

Batman

1943

Batman

as

Ken Colton

Crazy House

1943

Crazy House

as

Sheriff

The Desert Hawk

1944

The Desert Hawk

as

Koda Bey

Hollywood and Vine

1945

Hollywood and Vine

as

Attorney

Spaceship to the Unknown

1966

Spaceship to the Unknown

as

Ming the Merciless (archive footage)

In Spite of Danger

1935

In Spite of Danger

as

Mr. Merritt

Joaquin Murrieta

1938

Joaquin Murrieta

as

Politician (uncredited)

Big Executive

1933

Big Executive

as

Sheriff

One Against the World

1939

One Against the World

as

Mr. Crumley (uncredited)

Dance of the Cookoos

1982

Dance of the Cookoos

as

Commandant

Jiggs and Maggie in Court

1948

Jiggs and Maggie in Court

as

Mr. Burton, an Attorney

Sob Sister

1931

Sob Sister

as

City Editor Baker

Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From Mars

1938

Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From Mars

as

Ming the Merciless

The Last Train from Madrid

1937

The Last Train from Madrid

as

Warden (uncredited)

Production

Crew

Directing