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Roscoe Karns (September 7, 1891 – February 6, 1970) was an American actor who appeared in nearly 150 films between 1915 and 1964. He specialized in cynical, wise-cracking (and often tipsy) characters, and his rapid-fire delivery enlivened many comedies and crime thrillers in the 1930s and 1940s.
Roscoe Karns. Actor: His Girl Friday. On stage since age 15, Roscoe Karns parlayed his machine-gun delivery and street-wise demeanor (although many thought of him as a New Yorker, he was actually from San Bernardino, California) into character roles in dozens of films from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Roscoe Karns. Actor: His Girl Friday. On stage since age 15, Roscoe Karns parlayed his machine-gun delivery and street-wise demeanor (although many thought of him as a New Yorker, he was actually from San Bernardino, California) into character roles in dozens of films from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Roscoe Karns (September 7, 1891 – February 6, 1970) was an American actor who appeared in nearly 150 films between 1915 and 1964. He specialized in cynical, wise-cracking (and often tipsy) characters, and his rapid-fire delivery enlivened many comedies and crime thrillers in the 1930s and 1940s.
Roscoe Karns was the father of actor/recording executive Todd Karns, who starred in TV's first filmed comedy series, Jackson and Jill (1949). Read More ↓. Movie Highlights. See Full Filmography.
Roscoe Karns began his stage career at the age of 15, coming to films about 10 years later, in 1915, during the early silent film era. Over the course of his 49-year film career, Karns appeared in over 145 roles, many times as cynical wisecracking fellows, fast-talking reporters or hero sidekicks.
Karns appeared as a supporting actor in silent films throughout the 1920s and made the transition to "talkies" with a fast-talking style that ensured his continued success. During the early 1950s, Karns starred in the popular television series Rocky King, Detective (1951-1954).
