Tommy Farrell
Tommy Farrell was an American actor who appeared in over 100 films and TV series between 1944 and 1983. He was best known for his sidekick roles in the Hollywood Golden Age.
Career
Farrell made his Broadway debut as a young drummer in Strip for Action and made his movie debut in Winged Victory, the film version of the Army Air Forces play of the same title. He was a corporal at the time.
During the 1940s, he became entrenched as a supporting player in B Westerns and cliffhanger serials. He also appeared in a number of other films, including Kissin' Cousins costarring with his mother, Glenda Farrell, and Elvis Presley, and A Guide for the Married Man with Walter Matthau. After the Westerns and serials, he migrated to television work.
On television, Farrell played Corporal Thad Carson on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Riff Ryan on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and Chet Holliday, father of Alice Holliday, in the 1958–59 syndicated sitcom This is Alice. He was also a recurring guest star in two other sitcoms, Room for One More and Here's Lucy. He made six appearances on Perry Mason in minor roles such as salesman or reporter. He finally retired in 1979 after filming an episode of the Robert Urich series, Vega$.
Personal life
Farrell was married three times. He had a daughter, born in 1945, with his first wife, Norma, another daughter, born in 1951, with his second wife, Ann, and two more children, a son and a daughter, with his third wife, Bobbi.
Recognition
In 2003, Farrell was honored during the 21st Annual Golden Boot Awards ceremony for his work in the Western genre, along with Sue Ane Langdon, Michael Dante, Graham Greene, Kris Kristofferson, and Tommy Lee Jones, among others.
Death
Farrell died of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. At the time of his death, he was the last living B Western sidekick from the golden era of Westerns.
He was survived by his wife, a son, three daughters, and three grandchildren.
Filmography
Films
Winged Victory – Soldier in Audience at Camp Show Duchess of Idaho – ChuckAtom Man vs. Superman – Man Observing Ship Rescue / Briggs, Chs. 2, 10 Gunfire – Lerner—Silver Wagon DriverLast of the Buccaneers – René – Pirate Pirates of the High Seas – Kelly WalshPygmy Island – Captain Outlaws of Texas – Jeff JohnsonAt War with the Army – Cpl. ClarkColorado Ambush – Terry WilliamsAbilene Trail – Ed DawsonA Yank in Korea – Jinx HamiltonRoar of the Iron Horse – Del – Young Outlaw in Polka-Dot Shirt Strangers on a Train – 1# Miriam's Boyfriend The Strip – BoyntonThe Stooge – Tommy – Kit Kat Club MC Starlift – Turner – Card Player Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere – Atoma Head Soldier The Marrying Kind – Cliff Night Raiders – Jim DuganMeet Danny Wilson - Tommy WellsThis Woman Is Dangerous – Bellhop Flesh and Fury – Rocky Singin' in the Rain – Sid Phillips The Atomic City – Baseball Game Usher Brave Warrior – Townsman You for Me – Dr. Rollie CobbThe Golden Hawk – Spanish Captain Son of Geronimo: Apache Avenger – Frank BakerWyoming Roundup – Bob BurkeGirls in the Night – FrankieThe 49th Man – Agent ReynoldsSiren of Bagdad – Palace Guard Sky Commando – Pilot The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd – Kidd crewman Gunfighters of the Northwest – Constable Arch Perry – Ch's 1–2Woman Obsessed – Carnival Barker North by Northwest – Eddie, Elevator Operator Wake Me When It's Over – Smitty Bells Are Ringing – Party Guest Swingin' Along – GeorgieBreakfast at Tiffany's – Party Guest Saintly Sinners – Mike My Six Loves – Studio Representative Kissin' Cousins – Master Sgt. William George BaileyThe Disorderly Orderly – Policeman Never Too Late – Fred Ainsley Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! – Reporter A Guide for the Married Man – Rance G.'s Hanger On
TV shows
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin – Cpl. Thad CarsonMatinee Theatre – George HillMaverick – Lefty DolanBachelor Father – Toaster Salesman / Joe Browning / CecilCheyenne This is Alice – Chet HollidayDragnet Gunsmoke – Pfc. AtwoodWanted: Dead or Alive – Billy BlandBourbon Street Beat – Jay O'HanlonThe Many Loves of Dobie Gillis – Riff RyanRichard Diamond, Private Detective – Frank ConnollyHawaiian Eye – Freddie / Breezy Gallagher / Cy BlissPete and Gladys – SteveBringing Up Buddy – BillyThe Roaring 20's – Hermie Marcus / AlPerry Mason – Reporter / TV Reporter / Jefferson / Herbert Baker / Robert Fordney / SalesmanRawhide – Mister BuzbyDr. Kildare – WallyThe Fugitive – RyanThe Munsters – The AssistantThe Addams Family – Sam DiamondThe Lucy Show – Harry / Pete MurdockThe Man from U.N.C.L.E. – CoplinF Troop – JenksThe Beverly Hillbillies – PilotGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. – Assistant Cameraman / ReporterLost in Space – CyborgHere's Lucy – Phil Harris' Manager / Bank Teller / Paul / Reporter / Sky Marshal / MorganGet Smart – TuttleVega$ – Harmon CoxHart to Hart – Roaring Tommy