Douglas Spencer
Acting
Born: February 10, 1910 · Princeton, Illinois, USA
Died: October 6, 1960 (aged 50)
Highest Rated
Biography
Douglas Spencer (born July 4, 1910 – March 5, 1960) was an American actor, best known for his roles in classic science fiction films and film noirs during the 1940s and 1950s. Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theater before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time. Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles. In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood. Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama. Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries. Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films. Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.
Known for
Double Indemnity
1944
The Twilight Zone
1959
Shane
1953
The Thing from Another World
1951
The Lost Weekend
1945
Bonanza
1959
River of No Return
1954
A Place in the Sun
1951
The Diary of Anne Frank
1959
Monkey Business
1952
The Heiress
1949
This Island Earth
1955
Photos (2)
Movies (61)
Shane
Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
Double Indemnity
Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
River of No Return
Sam Benson
The Thing from Another World
Ned 'Scotty' Scott
The Big Clock
Bert Finch
A Place in the Sun
Boatkeeper (uncredited)
Monkey Business
Dr. Brunner
Father of the Bride
Fritz the Organist (uncredited)
The Diary of Anne Frank
Kraler
The Lost Weekend
Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
The Three Faces of Eve
Mr. Black
This Island Earth
The Monitor of Metaluna
The Heiress
Minister (uncredited)
Houdini
Simms
Man from Del Rio
Sheriff Jack Tillman
Red, Hot and Blue
Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)
Saddle the Wind
Hemp Scribner
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
The Monitor of Metaluna (archive footage)
Trouble Along the Way
Father Procurator aka George
Pardners
Smith
The Kentuckian
Frome Brother (uncredited)
The Dark Corner
Deli Customer (uncredited)
My Friend Irma
Interior Decorator (uncredited)
Come Fill the Cup
Ike Bashaw
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
Dr. Ramsdell
Christmas in July
Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)
A Man Alone
Henry Slocum
The Raid
Rev. Douglas
Union Station
Stationmaster (uncredited)
The Redhead and the Cowboy
Perry (Union agent)
The Unholy Wife
Judge
Alias Nick Beal
Henry T. Finch
It Happens Every Spring
Train Conductor (uncredited)
Allegheny Uprising
Prisoner in Irons
Smoke Signal
Garode
Something to Live For
Joey (uncredited)
The Sins of Rachel Cade
Doctor Bikel
Short Cut to Hell
Train Conductor
A Date with the Falcon
Witness at Accident (uncredited)
Untamed Frontier
Clayton Vance
Incendiary Blonde
New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)
Princess O'Rourke
Pilot (uncredited)
Warpath
Kelso
Men Against the Sky
Mechanic
She's Back on Broadway
Lew Ludlow
The Day the Bookies Wept
Auction Spectator (uncredited)
Trapped
Sam Hooker (uncredited)
Kitty
Guest (uncredited)
The Glass Wall
Inspector Bailey
Bride of Vengeance
False Physician
Follow Me Quietly
Phony Judge
Omar Khayyam
Pigeon Keeper
Million Dollar Baby
1941
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
Hotel Guest
Lady Scarface
Police Secretary
Lucky Partners
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
The Sainted Sisters
Townsman (uncredited)
Fall In
Military Policeman
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
Marshal Fred Woodruff
Little Nellie Kelly
Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)
Adventure Island
Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)
TV Shows (8)
Bonanza
Alonzo McFadden · 1 eps
The Rifleman
1 eps
The Twilight Zone
1st Martian · 1 eps
Cheyenne
1 eps
Studio 57
1 eps
The Millionaire
Joe Brock · 1 eps
The Rebel
Joe Shandell · 1 eps
Wire Service
Mason · 1 eps