Ernest Truex
Actor
About Ernest Truex
Ernest Truex was a distinguished character actor whose career spanned over five decades, from the silent era through the golden age of Hollywood and into television. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he began his career on Broadway as a teenager, establishing himself as a talented stage performer before transitioning to films in the 1930s. Truex developed a signature persona as the quintessential mild-mannered, nervous, and often bewildered character, which became his trademark in numerous comedies and dramas. His distinctive appearance - small stature, balding head, and expressive face - combined with his precise comedic timing made him an instantly recognizable supporting actor. He appeared in over 100 films, working with some of Hollywood's most prestigious directors and alongside the biggest stars of his era. As the film industry evolved, Truex successfully adapted to television in the 1950s and 1960s, continuing to work regularly until his retirement. His performance as the timid newspaper reporter Bruce Baldwin in 'His Girl Friday' remains one of his most celebrated and enduring roles.
The Craft
On Screen
Ernest Truex perfected the art of playing timid, mild-mannered characters with a distinctive nervous energy and precise comedic timing. His acting style was characterized by a high-pitched voice, expressive facial gestures, and a perpetually bewildered demeanor that made him perfect for comic relief roles. He had a unique ability to convey anxiety and confusion through subtle physical mannerisms, often playing characters who were overwhelmed by their circumstances. Truex's approach was understated yet memorable, never resorting to slapstick but rather using his natural demeanor and carefully crafted reactions to generate laughter. His performances were marked by a consistency that made his characters believable despite their often exaggerated nervousness.
Milestones
- Broadway stage debut in 1913
- Transition to Hollywood films in 1930s
- Memorable role in His Girl Friday (1940)
- Successful transition to television in 1950s
- Over 100 film appearances across five decades
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1960)
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star at 6555 Hollywood Boulevard
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ernest Truex made a significant cultural impact by perfecting and popularizing the archetype of the nervous, mild-mannered character in American cinema. His distinctive style created a template for the 'anxious supporting character' that would be emulated by countless actors in subsequent decades. Truex's performances helped establish the importance of character actors in providing depth and comic relief to ensemble casts, particularly in screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. His work demonstrated that supporting characters could be as memorable as leads, influencing how Hollywood approached casting and character development in comedy films.
Lasting Legacy
Ernest Truex's legacy endures through his memorable performances in classic Hollywood films that continue to be celebrated and studied by film enthusiasts and scholars. He represents the golden age of character actors who specialized in creating distinctive, memorable personas that audiences could immediately recognize and appreciate. His ability to consistently deliver quality performances across different mediums - stage, film, and television - demonstrated remarkable versatility and longevity in an industry known for its fleeting fame. Truex is remembered as a master of subtle comedy who could convey volumes through a nervous glance or a hesitant delivery, influencing generations of character actors who followed in his footsteps.
Who They Inspired
Truex influenced subsequent generations of character actors who specialized in playing nervous or timid characters, showing that such roles could be both memorable and essential to a film's success. His work in screwball comedies helped define the genre's approach to supporting characters, demonstrating how anxiety and confusion could be used effectively for comic effect. Many actors who later specialized in similar roles, including Edward Everett Horton and Eugene Pallette, built upon the foundation Truex helped establish. His transition from stage to film to television also provided a model for actors seeking longevity in the entertainment industry through adaptation to new media.
Off Screen
Ernest Truex was married twice during his lifetime, both times to actresses. His first marriage was to Sylvia Field, with whom he had a daughter, Margaret. After their divorce, he married actress Margaret Perry in 1942, and they remained together until his death in 1973. Truex was known as a devoted family man who maintained a relatively private personal life despite his public career. He was respected in Hollywood for his professionalism and kind demeanor off-screen, often described by colleagues as a gentleman who never lost his small-town Missouri values even after decades in show business.
Education
Attended Kansas City schools, began acting career as teenager without formal dramatic training
Family
- Sylvia Field (1926-1942)
- Margaret Perry (1942-1973)
Did You Know?
- Began his career on Broadway at age 14
- His daughter Margaret Truex also became an actress
- Often played characters named 'Bruce' in films
- Was typecast so successfully that audiences expected him to be nervous in real life
- Appeared in both the original 1934 and the 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much
- Served in the US Army during World War I
- Was a skilled amateur painter in his retirement years
- His distinctive high-pitched voice was natural, not affected for roles
- Worked regularly into his 70s, appearing on popular TV shows like 'The Andy Griffith Show'
- Never received an Academy Award nomination despite his prolific career
In Their Own Words
I've made a career out of being nervous on screen. It's strange, because in real life I'm actually quite calm.
In comedy, timing is everything. I learned that on the stage and it served me well in films.
Playing the timid character is harder than it looks. You have to be brave to be cowardly convincingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ernest Truex?
Ernest Truex was an American character actor known for playing timid, nervous characters in classic Hollywood films. He had a career spanning over 50 years, from Broadway in the 1910s through television in the 1960s, appearing in over 100 films.
What films is Ernest Truex best known for?
Ernest Truex is best known for his role as Bruce Baldwin in 'His Girl Friday' (1940), as well as appearances in 'The Devil and Miss Jones' (1941), 'The Man Who Came to Dinner' (1942), and 'The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer' (1947).
When was Ernest Truex born and when did he die?
Ernest Truex was born on September 19, 1889, in Kansas City, Missouri, and died on April 26, 1973, in Fallbrook, California, at the age of 83.
What awards did Ernest Truex win?
Ernest Truex received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, located at 6555 Hollywood Boulevard, recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry.
What was Ernest Truex's acting style?
Truex specialized in playing mild-mannered, nervous characters with distinctive comedic timing and mannerisms. His style featured a high-pitched voice, expressive facial gestures, and a perpetually bewildered demeanor that made him perfect for comic relief roles.
Did Ernest Truex have any children who became actors?
Yes, Ernest Truex had a daughter named Margaret Truex with his first wife Sylvia Field. Margaret followed in her parents' footsteps and became an actress as well.
How long was Ernest Truex's career?
Ernest Truex's entertainment career spanned 53 years, from his Broadway debut in 1913 until his retirement from television in 1966, making him one of Hollywood's most enduring character actors.
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Films
1 film
