logo

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

273

Gender

Male

Birthday

1889-10-12

Day of Death

1947-03-08 (58 years old)

Place of Birth

Lafayette, Indiana, USA

Also Known As

Vic Potel

Victor Potel

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victor Potel (October 12, 1889 – March 8, 1947) was an American film character actor who began in the silent era and appeared in over 430 films in his 38-year career. Victor Potel was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1889, and his acting career goes back almost to the beginning of the commercial film industry in the United States. He made his first silent film in 1910, a comedy short filmed in Chicago by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company called A Dog on Business. Potel continued to make films for Essanay, appearing in dozens of films every year, including most of the Broncho Billy series, and played a character called "Slippery Slim" in 80 movies. He also appeared in Universal Pictures' "Snakeville" series. Potel's first talking picture was Melody of Love, starring Walter Pidgeon, made for Universal in 1928. and in the sound era he continued to work continuously and constantly, playing small parts and sometimes uncredited bit parts, all primarily comic roles due to his height (6 ft 1 in or 1.85 m) and gawkiness. In addition to acting, on several occasions Potel also wrote and directed. In the 1920s he directed two silent shorts, The Rubber-Neck in 1924 and Action Craver in 1927, and contributed the story for Saxophobia in 1927. In the following decade, in the sound era, he was the dialogue director for The Big Chance (1933), and wrote the story for Inside Information in 1934). In 1935 he provided continuity and dialogue for Million Dollar Haul and the screenplay for Hot Off the Press. In the 1940s, Potel was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in nine films written and directed by Sturges. Potel continued to work right up until his death on 8 March 1947. The final film he worked on, Relentless finished filming on 28 February of that year.

Known For

Sullivan's Travels

Sullivan's Travels

Below the Line

Below the Line

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum

Fury

Fury

The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve

Ruggles of Red Gap

Ruggles of Red Gap

Hail the Conquering Hero

Hail the Conquering Hero

Acting

Forward, March!

1930

Forward, March!

as

The Sin of Harold Diddlebock

1947

The Sin of Harold Diddlebock

as

Prof. Potelle

The Good Fellows

1943

The Good Fellows

as

Branders (uncredited)

Adventure's End

1937

Adventure's End

as

Tall Sailor (uncredited)

The Palm Beach Story

1942

The Palm Beach Story

as

Mr. McKeewie

The Tomboy on Bar Z

1912

The Tomboy on Bar Z

as

Alkali Ike's Auto

1911

Alkali Ike's Auto

as

The Bad One

1930

The Bad One

as

Sailor

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress

1912

Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress

as

The Strange Case of Dr. Meade

1938

The Strange Case of Dr. Meade

as

Steve

King of the Wild

1931

King of the Wild

as

Peterson

Christmas in July

1940

Christmas in July

as

Davenola Salesman

Who's Your Father?

1918

Who's Your Father?

as

Comedy Role

The Making of Broncho Billy

1913

The Making of Broncho Billy

as

Call of the West

1930

Call of the West

as

Trig Peters

The Virginian

1929

The Virginian

as

Nebrasky

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

1944

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

as

Newspaper Editor

Western Gold

1937

Western Gold

as

Jasper

The Heart of a Child

1920

The Heart of a Child

as

Charley Peastone

The Girl of the Golden West

1938

The Girl of the Golden West

as

Lem - Stagecoach Driver

Broncho Billy and the Sisters

1915

Broncho Billy and the Sisters

as

The Minister

Slim the Brave and Sophie the Fair

1915

Slim the Brave and Sophie the Fair

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie's Home-Coming

1915

Sophie's Home-Coming

as

Slippery Slim

When Slippery Slim Went for the Eggs

1915

When Slippery Slim Went for the Eggs

as

Slippery Slim

The Battle of Snakeville

1915

The Battle of Snakeville

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie's Sweetheart

1914

Sophie's Sweetheart

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville's Blind Pig

1914

Snakeville's Blind Pig

as

Slippery Slim

Slippery Slim Gets Square

1914

Slippery Slim Gets Square

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office

1914

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office

as

Snakeville's Rising Sons

1914

Snakeville's Rising Sons

as

Slippery Slim

Sentimental Sophie

1915

Sentimental Sophie

as

Slippery Slim

When Slippery Slim Bought the Cheese

1915

When Slippery Slim Bought the Cheese

as

Slippery Slim

Just a Few Little Things

1916

Just a Few Little Things

as

Archie

Alkali Ike and the Wildman

1913

Alkali Ike and the Wildman

as

Slippery Slim

Ingomar of the Hills

1915

Ingomar of the Hills

as

Sullivan's Travels

1941

Sullivan's Travels

as

Cameraman

Broncho Billy's First Arrest

1913

Broncho Billy's First Arrest

as

Quincy Adams Sawyer

1922

Quincy Adams Sawyer

as

Hiram Maxwell

Baseball Madness

1917

Baseball Madness

as

The Fighting Marines

1935

The Fighting Marines

as

Fake Native Chief [Ch. 12]

Partners

1932

Partners

as

Deputy Lem

Hank and Lank: They Get Wise to a New Scheme

1910

Hank and Lank: They Get Wise to a New Scheme

as

Lank

A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law

1910

A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law

as

Hank and Lank: Uninvited Guests

1910

Hank and Lank: Uninvited Guests

as

Lank

The Silent Message

1910

The Silent Message

as

A Westerner's Way

1910

A Westerner's Way

as

Hank and Lank: Lifesavers

1910

Hank and Lank: Lifesavers

as

Lank

Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men

1910

Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men

as

Lank

Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present

1910

Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present

as

A Cowboy's Vindication

1910

A Cowboy's Vindication

as

The Tenderfoot Messenger

1910

The Tenderfoot Messenger

as

Hank and Lank: Blind Men

1910

Hank and Lank: Blind Men

as

Lank

The Bad Man's Christmas Gift

1910

The Bad Man's Christmas Gift

as

The Count and the Cowboys

1911

The Count and the Cowboys

as

The Count

The Border Ranger

1911

The Border Ranger

as

A Child of the West

1912

A Child of the West

as

The Tenderfoot Foreman

1912

The Tenderfoot Foreman

as

Widow Jenkins' Admirers

1912

Widow Jenkins' Admirers

as

The Oath of His Office

1912

The Oath of His Office

as

The Prospector's Legacy

1912

The Prospector's Legacy

as

The Biter Bitten

1912

The Biter Bitten

as

The Ranch Girl's Mistake

1912

The Ranch Girl's Mistake

as

The Two Reformations

1911

The Two Reformations

as

Hank and Lank: They Make a Mash

1911

Hank and Lank: They Make a Mash

as

Lank

The Bad Man's Downfall

1911

The Bad Man's Downfall

as

Across the Plains

1911

Across the Plains

as

The Sheriff's Chum

1911

The Sheriff's Chum

as

Broncho Billy and the Red Man

1914

Broncho Billy and the Red Man

as

The Indian Maiden's Lesson

1911

The Indian Maiden's Lesson

as

The Bunco Game at Lizardhead

1911

The Bunco Game at Lizardhead

as

The Puncher's New Love

1911

The Puncher's New Love

as

The Infant at Snakeville

1911

The Infant at Snakeville

as

Broncho Billy and the Bad Man

1914

Broncho Billy and the Bad Man

as

The Storekeeper

A Hungry Pair

1911

A Hungry Pair

as

Skinny

The Corporation and the Ranch Girl

1911

The Corporation and the Ranch Girl

as

Broncho Billy-Guardian

1914

Broncho Billy-Guardian

as

Alkali Ike's Pants

1912

Alkali Ike's Pants

as

Broncho Billy Reforms

1913

Broncho Billy Reforms

as

A Thief

The Two Fugitives

1911

The Two Fugitives

as

Broncho Bill's Last Spree

1911

Broncho Bill's Last Spree

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy's Squareness

1913

Broncho Billy's Squareness

as

The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine

1911

The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine

as

Town Hall, Tonight

1911

Town Hall, Tonight

as

The Tall Schultz Brother

The Forester's Plea

1911

The Forester's Plea

as

A Dog on Business

1910

A Dog on Business

as

Hank and Lank: Joyriding

1910

Hank and Lank: Joyriding

as

Lank

The Tout's Remembrance

1910

The Tout's Remembrance

as

Hank and Lank: They Dude Up Some

1910

Hank and Lank: They Dude Up Some

as

Lank

Patricia of the Plains

1910

Patricia of the Plains

as

The Bearded Bandit

1910

The Bearded Bandit

as

Broncho Billy and the Vigilante

1915

Broncho Billy and the Vigilante

as

A Cattle Owner

On the Cactus Trail

1912

On the Cactus Trail

as

A Story of Montana

1912

A Story of Montana

as

Broncho Billy's Pal

1912

Broncho Billy's Pal

as

Alkali Ike Plays the Devil

1912

Alkali Ike Plays the Devil

as

Broncho Billy for Sheriff

1912

Broncho Billy for Sheriff

as

An Indian Sunbeam

1912

An Indian Sunbeam

as

A Cowboy

Alkali Ike Stung!

1912

Alkali Ike Stung!

as

An Indian's Friendship

1912

An Indian's Friendship

as

Alkali Ike's Close Shave

1912

Alkali Ike's Close Shave

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife

1912

Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife

as

Broncho Billy's Promise

1912

Broncho Billy's Promise

as

Broncho Billy's Gun Play

1913

Broncho Billy's Gun Play

as

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid

1913

Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid

as

Jailer

Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter

1913

Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter

as

Broncho Billy's Gratefulness

1913

Broncho Billy's Gratefulness

as

Dr. Huff

The Accusation of Broncho Billy

1913

The Accusation of Broncho Billy

as

Alkali Ike's Homecoming

1913

Alkali Ike's Homecoming

as

Slippery Slim

Alkali Ike's Misfortunes

1913

Alkali Ike's Misfortunes

as

Slippery Slim

Alkali Ike and the Hypnotist

1913

Alkali Ike and the Hypnotist

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville's New Doctor

1914

Snakeville's New Doctor

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy's Oath

1913

Broncho Billy's Oath

as

The Last Laugh

1913

The Last Laugh

as

The Three Gamblers

1913

The Three Gamblers

as

Sophie's Hero

1913

Sophie's Hero

as

Slippery Slim

A Romance of the Hills

1913

A Romance of the Hills

as

That Pair from Thespia

1913

That Pair from Thespia

as

Second Actor

A Snakeville Courtship

1913

A Snakeville Courtship

as

Slippery Slim

A Night on the Road

1914

A Night on the Road

as

Sheriff's Assistant

Sophie's New Foreman

1913

Sophie's New Foreman

as

Slippery Slim

Slippery Slim Gets Cured

1914

Slippery Slim Gets Cured

as

Slippery Slim

When Slippery Slim Met the Champion

1914

When Slippery Slim Met the Champion

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville's Peace-Maker

1914

Snakeville's Peace-Maker

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy Rewarded

1914

Broncho Billy Rewarded

as

The Hotel Proprietor

A Gamblers' Way

1914

A Gamblers' Way

as

The Bartender

Slippery Slim, The Mortgage and Sophie

1914

Slippery Slim, The Mortgage and Sophie

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville and the Corset Demonstrator

1914

Snakeville and the Corset Demonstrator

as

Slippery Slim

What Came to Bar Q

1914

What Came to Bar Q

as

Bartender

Slippery Slim and the Impersonator

1914

Slippery Slim and the Impersonator

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie and the Man of Her Choice

1914

Sophie and the Man of Her Choice

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy's Sermon

1914

Broncho Billy's Sermon

as

The Sheriff

Broncho Billy's Leap

1914

Broncho Billy's Leap

as

Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark

1914

Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark

as

The Hotel Clerk

The Revenue Agent

1915

The Revenue Agent

as

The Minister

The Bachelor's Burglar

1915

The Bachelor's Burglar

as

Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber

1915

Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber

as

Sophie Starts Something

1914

Sophie Starts Something

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie Pulls a Good One

1914

Sophie Pulls a Good One

as

Slippery Slim

The Snakeville Volunteer

1914

The Snakeville Volunteer

as

Slippery Slim

Pie for Sophie

1914

Pie for Sophie

as

Snicklefritz

The Wooing of Sophie

1914

The Wooing of Sophie

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie Finds a Hero

1914

Sophie Finds a Hero

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie Gets Stung

1914

Sophie Gets Stung

as

Slippery Slim

A Horse on Sophie

1914

A Horse on Sophie

as

Slippery Slim

Sophie's Fatal Wedding

1914

Sophie's Fatal Wedding

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville's Reform Wave

1914

Snakeville's Reform Wave

as

Slippery Slim

Snakeville's New Waitress

1914

Snakeville's New Waitress

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy Wins Out

1914

Broncho Billy Wins Out

as

The School Trustee

Broncho Billy's Wild Ride

1914

Broncho Billy's Wild Ride

as

Broncho Billy, the Vagabond

1914

Broncho Billy, the Vagabond

as

Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need

1914

Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need

as

Slippery Slim -- Diplomat

1914

Slippery Slim -- Diplomat

as

Slippery Slim

Broncho Billy Steps In

1915

Broncho Billy Steps In

as

Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp

1915

Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp

as

A Tailor-Made Man

1922

A Tailor-Made Man

as

Peter

Lavender and Old Lace

1921

Lavender and Old Lace

as

Joe Pendleton

Damaged Lives

1933

Damaged Lives

as

Undetermined Role

The Broken Coin

1936

The Broken Coin

as

God's Country and the Woman

1937

God's Country and the Woman

as

Turpentine

The Good-for-Nothing

1914

The Good-for-Nothing

as

Old Clerk

The Drunkard

1935

The Drunkard

as

Farmer Gates

The Outcasts of Poker Flat

1919

The Outcasts of Poker Flat

as

Big Boy Rides Again

1935

Big Boy Rides Again

as

Ranch Foreman Scarface

Step on It!

1922

Step on It!

as

Noisy Johnson

The Loaded Door

1922

The Loaded Door

as

Slim

Three Godfathers

1936

Three Godfathers

as

'Buck Tooth'

One a Minute

1921

One a Minute

as

Jingo Pitts

The Squaw Man

1931

The Squaw Man

as

Andy

The Adventures of Rex and Rinty

1935

The Adventures of Rex and Rinty

as

Kinso

The Virtuous Sin

1930

The Virtuous Sin

as

Sentry

Down to the Sea

1936

Down to the Sea

as

Andy

Selling Shorts

1931

Selling Shorts

as

Slim Bassil

Captain Kidd, Jr.

1919

Captain Kidd, Jr.

as

Constable Sam

Border Romance

1929

Border Romance

as

Slim

The Last of the Clintons

1935

The Last of the Clintons

as

Jed Clinton

It Happened Tomorrow

1944

It Happened Tomorrow

as

Small Town Boy

1937

Small Town Boy

as

Abner Towner

Gun Play

1935

Gun Play

as

Brawler (uncredited)

On the Great White Trail

1938

On the Great White Trail

as

Lyons

Frontier Days

1934

Frontier Days

as

Deputy Tex Hatch

The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come

1928

The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come

as

Tom Turner

Bob Hampton of Placer

1921

Bob Hampton of Placer

as

Willie McNeil

Full of Pep

1919

Full of Pep

as

Beanpole

Water, Water, Everywhere

1920

Water, Water, Everywhere

as

Steve Brainard

Below the Line

1925

Below the Line

as

'Cuckoo' Niles

Thunder Over Texas

1934

Thunder Over Texas

as

Dick

Reno

1923

Reno

as

Detective McRae

Pot o' Gold

1941

Pot o' Gold

as

Olaf Svenson (uncredited)

The Cowboy and the Bandit

1935

The Cowboy and the Bandit

as

Lanky

Western Frontier

1935

Western Frontier

as

Slim

Hollywood Cavalcade

1939

Hollywood Cavalcade

as

Slim

Yellow Dust

1936

Yellow Dust

as

Jugger - the Bartender

Scandal Sheet

1931

Scandal Sheet

as

Reporter

The Villain Still Pursued Her

1940

The Villain Still Pursued Her

as

Policeman (uncredited)

Face in the Sky

1933

Face in the Sky

as

Ed Burns, Carnival Patron (uncredited)

Stand Up and Fight

1939

Stand Up and Fight

as

Coach Driver

Mississippi

1935

Mississippi

as

Guest (uncredited)

Let Freedom Ring

1939

Let Freedom Ring

as

Ole Swensen (uncredited)

Down the Wyoming Trail

1939

Down the Wyoming Trail

as

Slim

Second Fiddle

1939

Second Fiddle

as

Steve - Crane Operator

Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence

1939

Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence

as

Ranch Hand

Slightly Honorable

1939

Slightly Honorable

as

Gasoline Station Proprietor (Uncredited)

Doughboys

1930

Doughboys

as

Svendenburg

The Housekeeper's Daughter

1939

The Housekeeper's Daughter

as

Suspect

Blondie Brings Up Baby

1939

Blondie Brings Up Baby

as

Lars (uncredited)

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum

1933

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum

as

The General

Paradise Island

1930

Paradise Island

as

Swede

Fury

1936

Fury

as

Jorgeson (uncredited)

Whispering Smith Speaks

1935

Whispering Smith Speaks

as

Bill Prouty

Rovin' Tumbleweeds

1939

Rovin' Tumbleweeds

as

Man in Store

The Man in the Trunk

1942

The Man in the Trunk

as

Deaf Floor Man (uncredited)

Ten Cents a Dance

1931

Ten Cents a Dance

as

Smith, a Sailor

Young Tom Edison

1940

Young Tom Edison

as

Mr. Tompkins

The Lady Eve

1941

The Lady Eve

as

Second Steward (uncredited)

What Darwin Missed

1916

What Darwin Missed

as

Professor Alonzo Bozzle

The Loafer

1912

The Loafer

as

Inside Information

1934

Inside Information

as

Rice - Thin Detective

Mary's Ankle

1920

Mary's Ankle

as

Johnny Stokes

Chip of the Flying U

1939

Chip of the Flying U

as

Station Agent

Moonlight on the Prairie

1935

Moonlight on the Prairie

as

Tall Saloon Cowboy

Trail of the Vigilantes

1940

Trail of the Vigilantes

as

Conductor

The Lady from Cheyenne

1941

The Lady from Cheyenne

as

Lem

Ride on Vaquero

1941

Ride on Vaquero

as

Ole

Two Gun Law

1937

Two Gun Law

as

Cassius

Song of the Saddle

1936

Song of the Saddle

as

Little Casino

Man Hunt

1936

Man Hunt

as

Townsman Pointing Out Shefiff's Office (uncredited)

White Bondage

1937

White Bondage

as

Luke Stacey

Waterfront Lady

1935

Waterfront Lady

as

Alex

The Great McGinty

1940

The Great McGinty

as

Cook (uncredited)

Li'l Abner

1940

Li'l Abner

as

Fantastic Brown

Three Faces West

1940

Three Faces West

as

Postman

Captain Swagger

1928

Captain Swagger

as

Jean

The Captain's Kid

1936

The Captain's Kid

as

Deputy Jake Hutchinson

Flame of Barbary Coast

1945

Flame of Barbary Coast

as

Train Fireman

The Glass Alibi

1946

The Glass Alibi

as

Gas Attendant (as Vic Potel)

Rhythm Round-Up

1945

Rhythm Round-Up

as

Slim Jensen

Hearts and Saddles

1917

Hearts and Saddles

as

Versus Sledge Hammers

1915

Versus Sledge Hammers

as

The Count

At the Sign of the Jack'O Lantern

1922

At the Sign of the Jack'O Lantern

as

The Poet

His Regeneration

1915

His Regeneration

as

Pawn Shop Clerk

Ruggles of Red Gap

1935

Ruggles of Red Gap

as

Curly - Cowboy

Shipmates Forever

1935

Shipmates Forever

as

Loafer (uncredited)

Wagon Wheels West

1943

Wagon Wheels West

as

Posse Rider (uncredited)

Melody of Love

1928

Melody of Love

as

The Gawk

Uneasy Payments

1927

Uneasy Payments

as

Press Agent

Billions

1920

Billions

as

Pushkin

A Petal on the Current

1919

A Petal on the Current

as

The Lodge in the Wilderness

1926

The Lodge in the Wilderness

as

Goofus

Racing Romance

1926

Racing Romance

as

Constable

Morganson's Finish

1926

Morganson's Finish

as

Ole Jensen

She Couldn't Take It

1935

She Couldn't Take It

as

Farmer

The Egg and I

1947

The Egg and I

as

Crowbar

The Devil Thumbs a Ride

1947

The Devil Thumbs a Ride

as

A Medal for Benny

1945

A Medal for Benny

as

Pantera Pepster Club Member (uncredited)

Girl from God's Country

1940

Girl from God's Country

as

Barber

Ten Days

1925

Ten Days

as

Twisted Rails

1934

Twisted Rails

as

Tom Watson

Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County

1913

Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County

as

The Druggist

Broncho Billy and the Western Girls

1913

Broncho Billy and the Western Girls

as

Outlaw

O'Malley of the Mounted

1936

O'Malley of the Mounted

as

Gabby - the Cook

The Great Moment

1944

The Great Moment

as

First Dental Patient

Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape

1912

Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape

as

Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner

1911

Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner

as

Broncho Billy's Adventure

1911

Broncho Billy's Adventure

as

Cowboy

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

1912

Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy

as

Hail the Conquering Hero

1944

Hail the Conquering Hero

as

Progressive Bandleader (uncredited)

What Price Beauty?

1928

What Price Beauty?

as

Yankee Fakir

1947

Yankee Fakir

as

Contest Chairman

Laughing at Trouble

1936

Laughing at Trouble

as

Lem Parker

A Lost Lady

1924

A Lost Lady

as

Ivy Peters

Production

Crew

Directing