Douglas Spencer
Known for Acting · 70 credits
- Born
- 1910-02-10
- Died
- 1960-10-06
- Place of birth
- Princeton, Illinois, USA
- Also known as
- William Henry Mesenkop
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.
Known For
TV Shows (9)
Movies (61)
Shane
1953
as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
Double Indemnity
1944
as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
River of No Return
1954
as Sam Benson
The Diary of Anne Frank
1959
as Kraler
The Lost Weekend
1945
as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
Monkey Business
1952
as Dr. Brunner
The Heiress
1949
as Minister (uncredited)
Father of the Bride
1950
as Fritz the Organist (uncredited)
The Kentuckian
1955
as Frome Brother (uncredited)
The Thing from Another World
1951
as Ned 'Scotty' Scott
The Three Faces of Eve
1957
as Mr. Black
Kitty
1945
as Guest (uncredited)
Trapped
1949
as Sam Hooker (uncredited)
Christmas in July
1940
as Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)
A Place in the Sun
1951
as Boatkeeper (uncredited)
Houdini
1953
as Simms
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
1996
as The Monitor of Metaluna (archive footage)
Princess O'Rourke
1943
as Pilot (uncredited)
Trouble Along the Way
1953
as Father Procurator aka George
The Dark Corner
1946
as Deli Customer (uncredited)
Warpath
1951
as Kelso
Untamed Frontier
1952
as Clayton Vance
Fall In
1942
as Military Policeman
Union Station
1950
as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Man from Del Rio
1956
as Sheriff Jack Tillman
A Man Alone
1955
as Henry Slocum
Alias Nick Beal
1949
as Henry T. Finch
Smoke Signal
1955
as Garode
Saddle the Wind
1958
as Hemp Scribner
The Raid
1954
as Rev. Douglas
The Glass Wall
1953
as Inspector Bailey
This Island Earth
1955
as The Monitor of Metaluna
Pardners
1956
as Smith
Follow Me Quietly
1949
as Phony Judge
My Friend Irma
1949
as Interior Decorator (uncredited)
The Unholy Wife
1957
as Judge
The Big Clock
1948
as Bert Finch
Red, Hot and Blue
1949
as Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)
Something to Live For
1952
as Joey (uncredited)
Lady Scarface
1941
as Police Secretary
The Day the Bookies Wept
1939
as Auction Spectator (uncredited)
Million Dollar Baby
1941
Omar Khayyam
1957
as Pigeon Keeper
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
1948
as Dr. Ramsdell
Allegheny Uprising
1939
as Prisoner in Irons
The Sins of Rachel Cade
1961
as Doctor Bikel
Come Fill the Cup
1951
as Ike Bashaw
The Redhead and the Cowboy
1951
as Perry (Union agent)
Bride of Vengeance
1949
as False Physician
A Date with the Falcon
1942
as Witness at Accident (uncredited)
Incendiary Blonde
1945
as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)
It Happens Every Spring
1949
as Train Conductor (uncredited)
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
1958
as Marshal Fred Woodruff
Little Nellie Kelly
1940
as Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)
Men Against the Sky
1940
as Mechanic
The Sainted Sisters
1948
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941
as Hotel Guest
Lucky Partners
1940
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Adventure Island
1947
as Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)
She's Back on Broadway
1953
as Lew Ludlow
Short Cut to Hell
1957
as Train Conductor
About Douglas Spencer
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 fil… With 70 credits spanning from 1939 to 1996, Douglas Spencer has appeared in 61 films and 9 TV shows.
Fans searching for Douglas Spencer movies, Douglas Spencer filmography, or the latest projects starring Douglas Spencer can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Douglas Spencer Movies
- Shane (1953) — as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
- Double Indemnity (1944) — as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
- River of No Return (1954) — as Sam Benson
- The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) — as Kraler
- The Lost Weekend (1945) — as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
Where to Watch Douglas Spencer Films
Most Douglas Spencer movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Douglas Spencer, check our movies catalogue and browse page.