Stanley Fields
Actor
About Stanley Fields
Stanley Fields was a prolific American character actor who became one of Hollywood's most recognizable supporting faces during the Golden Age of cinema. Born Walter L. Fields in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he began his film career in the early sound era and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in gangster films, dramas, and comedies. His breakthrough role came in 1930's 'Hook, Line and Sinker,' which led to steady work throughout the decade at major studios including Warner Bros., Paramount, and MGM. Fields specialized in portraying authority figures, gangsters, and tough characters, utilizing his imposing 6'2" frame and distinctive gravelly voice to create memorable supporting roles. His most acclaimed performance came as the police chief in 'Algiers' (1938), starring alongside Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr in this romantic crime drama. Despite appearing in over 100 films during his relatively brief career, Fields never achieved leading man status but became an essential component of ensemble casts. His career was cut short by his unexpected death in 1941 at the age of 48, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most dependable character actors of the 1930s.
The Craft
On Screen
Stanley Fields was known for his naturalistic yet commanding screen presence, specializing in tough, no-nonsense characters. His deep, gravelly voice and imposing physical stature made him particularly effective as authority figures, gangsters, and antagonists. Fields brought authenticity to his roles through a straightforward acting approach that avoided theatricality, instead relying on his natural intensity and distinctive features to create memorable characters. His style was perfectly suited to the gritty realism of 1930s gangster films and the emerging film noir genre.
Milestones
- Breakthrough role in 'Hook, Line and Sinker' (1930)
- Memorable performance as Police Chief in 'Algiers' (1938)
- Over 100 film appearances in just over a decade
- Regular work at major studios during the gangster film era
- Established archetype of the tough supporting character
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Stanley Fields played a significant role in establishing the visual and character archetypes that defined American cinema during the 1930s, particularly in the gangster film genre. His consistent presence in over 100 films helped create the authentic atmosphere that made studio productions of the era believable to audiences. As a character actor, he contributed to the development of the supporting character as an essential element of Hollywood storytelling, demonstrating how effective performances in smaller roles could elevate entire productions. His work in films like 'Algiers' helped establish the crime genre conventions that would influence film noir and subsequent crime dramas.
Lasting Legacy
Stanley Fields left an enduring legacy as one of Hollywood's most recognizable and reliable character actors during the Golden Age. His filmography serves as a testament to the importance of supporting players in creating memorable cinema, with his face familiar to classic film enthusiasts even if his name is not widely known. Fields represents the archetype of the studio system character actor who provided consistency and quality across numerous productions, helping establish the professional standards that would define Hollywood's golden era. His influence can be seen in subsequent generations of character actors who specialized in tough, authoritative roles.
Who They Inspired
Stanley Fields influenced the development of the character actor archetype in American cinema, particularly in the specialized niche of tough, authoritative supporting roles. His naturalistic approach to playing gangsters, police chiefs, and military men helped establish a template that would be followed by subsequent character actors. Fields demonstrated how distinctive physical presence and voice could create memorable characters without leading-man status, paving the way for future generations of character actors to build careers based on reliability and distinctive screen personas rather than star power.
Off Screen
Stanley Fields married twice during his lifetime, first to actress Marion Shilling from 1932 to 1934, and later to Virginia Vance from 1936 until his death in 1941. Despite his prolific film career, Fields maintained a relatively private personal life, with few details available about his interests or activities outside of acting. He had no recorded children. His unexpected death at age 48 cut short what was becoming one of the most reliable careers among Hollywood's character actors of the 1930s.
Education
Educational background not well-documented in film histories
Family
- Marion Shilling (1932-1934)
- Virginia Vance (1936-1941)
Did You Know?
- Despite appearing in over 100 films, Stanley Fields never received top billing in any production
- He often played characters much older than his actual age due to his weathered appearance
- His deep, distinctive voice made him particularly valuable in the early sound era
- He died unexpectedly at the age of 48, cutting short a prolific career
- Many of his roles were uncredited, making a complete filmography difficult to compile
- He was frequently cast as police chiefs, detectives, and military officers
- His imposing 6'2" frame contributed to his casting as intimidating characters
- He worked with virtually every major star of the 1930s at some point in his career
- 'Algiers' (1938) remains his most widely seen and critically acclaimed performance
- He was part of the Warner Bros. stock company during the height of the gangster film era
- His real name was Walter L. Fields, but he used Stanley professionally
- He appeared in both dramatic and comedic films, showing versatility as a character actor
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Stanley Fields?
Stanley Fields was a prolific American character actor active during Hollywood's Golden Age, appearing in over 100 films between 1929 and 1941. Born Walter L. Fields, he specialized in playing tough, authoritative characters such as police chiefs, gangsters, and military officers, becoming one of the most recognizable supporting faces of 1930s cinema.
What films is Stanley Fields best known for?
Stanley Fields is best known for his role as the Police Chief in 'Algiers' (1938) starring Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr. His other notable films include 'Hook, Line and Sinker' (1930), 'Each Dawn I Die' (1939), 'You Can't Get Away with Murder' (1939), and numerous gangster films where he played supporting roles alongside stars like James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart.
When was Stanley Fields born and when did he die?
Stanley Fields was born on May 20, 1892, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and died unexpectedly on April 23, 1941, at the age of 48. His death cut short a prolific career that had seen him appear in over 100 films in just over a decade.
What awards did Stanley Fields win?
Stanley Fields did not receive any major awards or nominations during his career, which was common for character actors of his era despite their significant contributions to films. His recognition came primarily from consistent work and the respect of directors and fellow actors who valued his reliability and distinctive screen presence.
What was Stanley Fields' acting style?
Stanley Fields employed a naturalistic yet commanding acting style, using his imposing 6'2" frame, weathered features, and distinctive gravelly voice to create authentic tough characters. He avoided theatricality in favor of straightforward, intense performances that brought realism to his roles as authority figures and gangsters in 1930s cinema.
How many films did Stanley Fields appear in?
Stanley Fields appeared in over 100 films during his career from 1929 to 1941, making him one of the most prolific character actors of his era. Many of his roles were uncredited, making a complete filmography difficult to compile, but his consistent presence across numerous studio productions demonstrates his value to Hollywood's studio system.
What type of characters did Stanley Fields typically play?
Stanley Fields specialized in playing tough, authoritative characters including police chiefs, detectives, military officers, gangster lieutenants, and various antagonists. His imposing physical presence and distinctive voice made him particularly effective in roles that required intimidation or authority, and he frequently appeared as the heavy in both dramatic and comedic films.
Did Stanley Fields work with any famous directors or actors?
Yes, Stanley Fields worked with virtually every major star of the 1930s including James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, John Garfield, and George Raft. He appeared in films directed by prominent directors of the era and was particularly valued by Warner Bros. during their gangster film period, becoming part of their reliable stock company of character actors.
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Films
2 films
