Known For
Acting
Born
Jun 26, 1889
Died
Nov 22, 1954
Place of Birth
Ogden, Utah, USA
Credits
102 titles
Moroni Olsen
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 – November 22, 1954) was an American actor. Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Some sources have claimed that Olsen's birth name was John Willard Clawson, but there appears to be no support for this claim. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University. He then went to study at the University of Utah, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time. In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle. After having worked on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring Don Ameche as D'Artagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor. His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in It's a Wonderful Life. Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church, being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years.
Known For
Filmography
MGM Parade
Self
Sign of the Pagan
Pope Leo I
The Long, Long Trailer
Mr. Tewitt
Marry Me Again
Mr. Courtney
So This Is Love
Arnold Reuben
Lone Star
Sam Houston
Washington Story
Speaker Of The House
At Sword's Point
Porthos
Submarine Command
Rear Adm. Joshua Rice
I Love Lucy
Judge
No Questions Asked
Henry Manston
Father's Little Dividend
Herbert Dunstan
Payment on Demand
Mr. Barton
Father of the Bride
Herbert Dunstan
Samson and Delilah
Targil
Task Force
Adm. Ames
The Fountainhead
Chairman
Command Decision
Congressman Stone
Up in Central Park
Big Jim Fitts
Call Northside 777
Parole Board Chairman
High Wall
Dr. Philip Dunlap
That Hagen Girl
Trenton Gateley
Black Gold
Don Toland
Life with Father
Dr. Humphries
Possessed
Dr. Ames
The Long Night
Chief of Police Bob McManus
It's a Wonderful Life
Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
The Strange Woman
Rev. Thatcher
Notorious
Walter Beardsley
Boys' Ranch
Judge Henderson
The Walls Came Tumbling Down
Bishop Martin
From This Day Forward
Tim Bagley
Mildred Pierce
Inspector Peterson
Don't Fence Me In
Henry Bennett
Week-End at the Waldorf
House Detective
Behind City Lights
Curtis Holbrook
Pride of the Marines
Capt. Burroughs
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
General (uncredited)
Roger Touhy, Gangster
Riley
Cobra Woman
MacDonald
Buffalo Bill
Sen. Frederici
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Caliph Hassan
Madame Curie
President of Businessman's Board (uncredited)
We've Never Been Licked
Commandant
Mission to Moscow
Col. Faymonville
Air Force
Col. Blake
Reunion in France
Paul Grebeau
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch
Dr. Henry Olcott
The Glass Key
Ralph Henry
My Favorite Spy
Major Allen