Tom London (born Leonard T. Clapman; August 24, 1889 â€" December 5,
1963) was an American actor who played frequently in B-Westerns.
According to The Guinness Book of Movie Records, London is credited
with appearing in the most films in the history of Hollywood,
according to the 2001 book Film Facts, which says that the performer
who played in the most films was "Tom London, who made his first of
over 2,000 appearances in The Great Train Robbery, 1903. He used his
birth name in films until 1924.Born in Louisville, Kentucky, London
got his start in movies as a props man in Chicago, Illinois. His debut
was in 1915 in the Western Lone Larry, performing under his own name.
The first film in which he was billed under his new name was Winds of
Chance, a World War I film, in which he played "Sgt. Rock". London was
a trick rider and roper, and used his trick skills in scores of
Westerns. In the silent film era he often played villainous roles,
while in later years he often appeared as the sidekick to Western
stars like Sunset Carson in several films.One of the busiest character
actors, he appeared in over 600 films. London made many guest
appearances in television shows through the 1950s, such as The Range
Rider, with Jock Mahoney and Dick Jones. He also played Sam, the
attendant of Helen Ramirez (Katy Jurado) in High Noon. His last movie
was Underworld U.S.A. in 1961, and his final roles on TV were in
Lawman and The Dakotas.
1963) was an American actor who played frequently in B-Westerns.
According to The Guinness Book of Movie Records, London is credited
with appearing in the most films in the history of Hollywood,
according to the 2001 book Film Facts, which says that the performer
who played in the most films was "Tom London, who made his first of
over 2,000 appearances in The Great Train Robbery, 1903. He used his
birth name in films until 1924.Born in Louisville, Kentucky, London
got his start in movies as a props man in Chicago, Illinois. His debut
was in 1915 in the Western Lone Larry, performing under his own name.
The first film in which he was billed under his new name was Winds of
Chance, a World War I film, in which he played "Sgt. Rock". London was
a trick rider and roper, and used his trick skills in scores of
Westerns. In the silent film era he often played villainous roles,
while in later years he often appeared as the sidekick to Western
stars like Sunset Carson in several films.One of the busiest character
actors, he appeared in over 600 films. London made many guest
appearances in television shows through the 1950s, such as The Range
Rider, with Jock Mahoney and Dick Jones. He also played Sam, the
attendant of Helen Ramirez (Katy Jurado) in High Noon. His last movie
was Underworld U.S.A. in 1961, and his final roles on TV were in
Lawman and The Dakotas.
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