John Beach Litel (December 30, 1892 â€" February 3, 1972) was an
American film and television actor.Litel was born in Albany,
Wisconsin. During World War I, Litel enlisted in the French Army and
was twice decorated for bravery. Back in the U.S. after the war, Litel
enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his stage
career. His Broadway credits include Sweet Aloes (1935), Hell Freezes
Over (1935), Life's Too Short (1935), Strange Gods (1932), Before
Morning (1932), Lilly Turner (1932), Ladies of Creation (1931), Back
Seat Drivers (1928), The Half Naked Truth (1926), The Beaten Track
(1925), Thoroughbreds (1924), and Irene (1919).In 1929, he began
appearing in films. Part of the "Warner Bros. Stock Company" beginning
in the 1930s, he appeared in dozens of Warner Bros. films and was in
over 200 films during his entire career. He often played supporting
roles such as hard-nosed cops and district attorneys. He was Nancy
Drew's (Bonita Granville) Attorney Father, Carson Drew in four films
in 1938 and 1939. Among his other films are They Drive by Night
(1940), Knute Rockne, All American (1940), They Died with Their Boots
On (1941), and Scaramouche (1952). His final film role was in Nevada
Smith (1966).In the second season of the Disney series Zorro, he
played the Governor of California in several episodes. During 1960 and
1961, he was seen as Dan Murchison in nine episodes of the ABC western
television series, Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers and Robert
Bray.
American film and television actor.Litel was born in Albany,
Wisconsin. During World War I, Litel enlisted in the French Army and
was twice decorated for bravery. Back in the U.S. after the war, Litel
enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his stage
career. His Broadway credits include Sweet Aloes (1935), Hell Freezes
Over (1935), Life's Too Short (1935), Strange Gods (1932), Before
Morning (1932), Lilly Turner (1932), Ladies of Creation (1931), Back
Seat Drivers (1928), The Half Naked Truth (1926), The Beaten Track
(1925), Thoroughbreds (1924), and Irene (1919).In 1929, he began
appearing in films. Part of the "Warner Bros. Stock Company" beginning
in the 1930s, he appeared in dozens of Warner Bros. films and was in
over 200 films during his entire career. He often played supporting
roles such as hard-nosed cops and district attorneys. He was Nancy
Drew's (Bonita Granville) Attorney Father, Carson Drew in four films
in 1938 and 1939. Among his other films are They Drive by Night
(1940), Knute Rockne, All American (1940), They Died with Their Boots
On (1941), and Scaramouche (1952). His final film role was in Nevada
Smith (1966).In the second season of the Disney series Zorro, he
played the Governor of California in several episodes. During 1960 and
1961, he was seen as Dan Murchison in nine episodes of the ABC western
television series, Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers and Robert
Bray.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.