Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Percy Kilbride (1888 - 1964)
Born in San Francisco, California,on July 16, 1888, Percy Kilbride's first introduction to the
theatre was working as an usher at the Central Theatre at
the age eleven. He developed easy-going bumpkin characterizations and
twangy voice, both of which became his trademark from the first time he
stepped on the stage in a role in the San Francisco production 'Tale of
Two Cities.' He continued with his career by working on the road with
various stock theatre companies. His career was interrupted by a tour
of military duty during World War I and he served in France. In the
postwar years, he continued to work for regional stock companies while
performing bit character parts in a few Hollywood motion pictures. He
also had minor parts in some Broadway theatre shows, debuting in 1928.
Already in his fifties by 1942, when he appeared in one of his best
known roles in "George Washington Slept Here", some of his many credited film
appearances include "Annie Oakley", "Keeper of the Flame", "Crazy
House", "Woman of the Town", "The Adventures of Mark Twain", "The
Southerner" and "State Fair." He appeared with Marjorie Main in the
roles of ‘Ma Kettle' and ‘Pa Kettle' in the movie "The Egg and I", which
launched the highly successful series of ‘Ma and Pa Kettle' films.
There were ten in all, but Percy Kilbride retired after filming the
eighth, 'Kettle at Waikiki.' Universal Studio's attempted to carry on
without him and made two more which were unsuccessful. In his later
years he suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and in December 1964 he was crossing
with a friend in Hollywood when both were
struck by a speeding car. His friend was killed instantly, but Percy
Kilbride survived and was taken to a Los Angeles Hospital where he
underwent brain surgery. He lingered for over a week but finally
succumbed to pneumonia and his injuries on December 11, 1964, at age 76.
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