Actor
J. Farrell MacDonald
Born 5 June 1875 · Waterbury, Connecticut, USA — died 2 August 1952
J. Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and early director. He directed dozens of silent films in the 1910s, including for L. Frank Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company. He then appeared in over 300 films, becoming a familiar face in the work of John Ford, Frank Capra and Preston Sturges.
Key films
The Iron Horse (1925)
Early John Ford epic Western, and one of his many collaborations with the director.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)On Cinespective
Supporting role in F. W. Murnau's acclaimed silent masterpiece.
Meet John Doe (1941)
Supporting part in a Frank Capra drama, showing his work with another major director.
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
Supporting role in one of Preston Sturges's celebrated comedies.
My Darling Clementine (1946)
Late-career appearance in John Ford's classic Western.
Key awards
No major awards are documented here.
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 284
- 1910The Time-Lock Safe · as Office WorkerActor
- 1911The Dream · as Secondary Role (uncredited)Actor
- 1911The Scarlet LetterActor
- 1911'Tween Two Loves · as Farmer HowardActor
- 1911The Lighthouse Keeper · as The Lighthouse KeeperActor
- 1912A Timely Repentance · as Louis NordellActor
- 1913Rory o' the BogsDirector
- 1913The Calling of Louis MonaActor
- 1914His Majesty, the Scarecrow of OzDirector
- 1914The Patchwork Girl of OzDirector
- 1914The Magic Cloak of OzDirector
- 1914SamsonDirector
- 1914The BacksliderDirector
- 1915Rags · as Paul Ferguson (as Joseph Farrell MacDonald)Actor
- 1915Lonesome Luke, Social GangsterDirector
- 1917Over the FenceDirector
- 1918Fair Enough · as Chief of Police MorganActor
- 1918$5,000 Reward · as NorcrossActor
- 1919A Sporting Chance · as Luther Ripley aka KennedyActor
- 1919Marked Men · as Tom Placer McGrawActor
- 1919The Outcasts of Poker FlatActor
- 1919Riders of Vengeance · as BuellActor
- 1919Roped · as ButlerActor
- 1919A Fight For Love · as The PriestActor
- 1919Molly of the Follies · as SwannickActor
- 1919Trixie from Broadway · as Slim HayesActor
- 1919This Hero Stuff · as Softnose SmithActor
- 1920Hitchin' Posts · as Joe Alabam (as J. Farrell McDonald)Actor
- 1920Bullet Proof · as Jim BooneActor
- 1920The Path She Chose · as FatherActor
- 1921Trailin' · as Joseph PiottoActor
- 1921Action · as Mormon PetersActor
- 1921The Freeze-Out · as Bobtail McGuireActor
- 1921The Wallop · as Neuces RiverActor
- 1921Riding with Death · as Sheriff Pat GarrityActor
- 1921Desperate YouthActor
- 1922Sky High · as Jim Frazer (as J. Farrel MacDonald)Actor
- 1922Manslaughter · as (uncredited)Actor
- 1922The Bonded Woman · as Captain GaskellActor
- 1922The Young Rajah · as Amhad Beg - Prime MinisterActor
- 1922Over the Border · as Peter GalbraithActor
- 1922Tracks · as Jack BessActor
- 1922The Ghost Breaker · as Sam MarcumActor
- 1922Come on Over · as Michael MorahanActor
- 1922The Bachelor Daddy · as Joe PeltonActor
- 1923Drifting · as MurphyActor
- 1923Quicksands · as Col. PattersonActor
- 1923Racing Hearts · as Silas MartinActor
- 1923The Age of Desire · as Dan ReaganActor
- 1923Fashionable Fakers · as Pat O'DonnellActor
- 1923While Paris SleepsActor
- 1924The Signal Tower · as PeteActor
- 1924Mademoiselle Midnight · as Duc de Moing (Prologue)Actor
- 1924The Storm Daughter · as Con MullaneyActor
- 1924The Brass Bowl · as HickeyActor
- 1924Gerald Cranston's Lady · as RennieActor
- 1924Those Who DareActor
- 1924Western Luck · as 'Chuck' CampbellActor
- 1925The Iron Horse · as Corporal CaseyActor
- 1925Kentucky Pride · as DonavanActor
- 1925Lightnin' · as Lemuel TownsendActor
- 1925Thank You · as AndyActor
- 1925The Fighting Heart · as JerryActor
- 1925Let Women Alone · as Commodore John GordonActor
- 1925The Lucky Horseshoe · as MackActor
- 19263 Bad Men · as Mike CostiganActor
- 1926The Shamrock Handicap · as Con O'SheaActor
- 1926Bertha the Sewing Machine Girl · as SloanActor
- 1926A Trip to Chinatown · as Benjamin StrongActor
- 1926The Family Upstairs · as Joe HellerActor
- 1926The Country Beyond · as Sgt. CassidyActor
- 1926The First Year · as Mr. BarstowActor
- 1926The Dixie Merchant · as Jean Paul FippanyActor
- 1926The Last Frontier · as Wild Bill HickokActor
- 1927Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans · as The PhotographerActor
- 1927East Side, West Side · as Pug MaloneActor
- 1927Paid to Love · as Peter RobertsActor
- 1927Cradle Snatchers · as George MartinActor
- 1927Ankles Preferred · as McGuireActor
- 1928In Old Arizona · as Stage Passenger (uncredited)Actor
- 1928Riley the Cop · as James 'Aloysius' RileyActor
- 19284 Devils · as The ClownActor
- 1928Bringing Up Father · as JiggsActor
- 1928The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris · as Patrick KellyActor
- 1928Abie's Irish Rose · as Patrick MurphyActor
- 1928None But the Brave · as John CraigActor
- 1929Happy Days · as Train ConductorActor
- 1929Strong Boy · as Angus McGregorActor
- 1929The Painted Angel · as Pa HudlerActor
- 1929South Sea Rose · as HackettActor
- 1929Masked Emotions · as Will WhittenActor
- 1929Masquerade · as Joe HickeyActor
- 1930Men Without Women · as CostelloActor
- 1930Song o' My Heart · as RaffertyActor
- 1930The Truth About Youth · as Colonel GrahamActor
- 1930River's End · as O'TooleActor
- 1930The Girl of the Golden West · as Sonora SlimActor
- 1931The Maltese Falcon · as Det. Sgt. Tom PolhausActor
- 1931The Stolen Jools · as PolicemanActor
- 1931Other Men's Women · as Peg-LegActor
- 1931The Painted Desert · as Jeff CameronActor
- 1931The Easiest Way · as Ben MurdockActor
- 1931The Brat · as Timson, the butlerActor
- 1931The Squaw Man · as Big BillActor
- 1931Sporting Blood · as MacGuireActor
- 1931The Millionaire · as Dan LewisActor
- 1931The Spirit of Notre Dame · as The CoachActor
- 1931Stranger in Town · as ScoutActor
- 1931How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 9: 'The Driver'Actor
- 1931Woman Hungry · as BuzzardActor
- 1931Touchdown! · as Pop StewartActor
- 1931Too Young to Marry · as Rev. StumpActor
- 1932Me and My Gal · as Pop RileyActor
- 1932No Man of Her Own · as "Dickie" CollinsActor
- 1932The Thirteenth Guest · as Captain RyanActor
- 1932The Hurricane Express · as Jim BakerActor
- 1932Under Eighteen · as Pop EvansActor
- 1932The Strange Love of Molly Louvain · as Police Sgt. J.B. Antrim (uncredited)Actor
- 1932The Phantom Express · as D.J. 'Smokey' NolanActor
- 1932Discarded Lovers · as SommersActor
- 1932Madame Racketeer · as John AdamsActor
- 193270,000 Witnesses · as State CoachActor
- 1932Week-End Marriage · as Mr. DavisActor
- 1932Hearts of Humanity · as Tom O'HaraActor
- 1932Heritage of the Desert · as Adam NaabActor
- 1932Probation · as George HolmanActor
- 1932The Pride of the Legion · as Chief ScottActor
- 1932Scandal for Sale · as TreadwayActor
- 1932Hotel Continental · as Detective MartinActor
- 1932Steady Company · as HoganActor
- 1932The Racing Strain · as Mr. MartinActor
- 1932Men Are Such Fools · as Prison Warden RandolphActor
- 1932This Sporting Age · as Jerry O'DayActor
- 1933The Power and the Glory · as MulliganActor
- 1933I Loved a Woman · as ShusterActor
- 1933Myrt and Marge · as GradyActor
- 1933The Working Man · as Henry 'Hank' DavisActor
- 1933Murder on the Campus · as Police Capt. Ed KyneActor
- 1933Peg o' My Heart · as Patrick Shamus 'Pat' O'ConnellActor
- 1933Laughing at Life · as Prison WardenActor
- 1933The Iron Master · as J.C. StillmanActor
- 1933How to Break 90 #6: Fine Points · as HimselfActor
- 1933The Vanishing Frontier · as WacoActor
- 1933Under Secret Orders · as John BurkeActor
- 1934The Cat's-Paw · as ShigleyActor
- 1934Romance in Manhattan · as MurphyActor
- 1934Once to Every Woman · as FlanniganActor
- 1934The Crosby Case · as The Doorman--Mike CostelloActor
- 1934The Crime Doctor · as KempActor
- 1934Man of Two Worlds · as MichaelActor
- 1934Beggar's Holiday · as Pop MalloyActor
- 1935The Whole Town's Talking · as Prison Warden (uncredited)Actor
- 1935Star of Midnight · as Inspector DoremusActor
- 1935Front Page Woman · as HallohanActor
- 1935Our Little Girl · as Mr. TrampActor
- 1935Danger Ahead · as Harry CromwellActor
- 1935The Irish in Us · as Capt. JacksonActor
- 1935Square Shooter · as SheriffActor
- 1935The Best Man Wins · as Captain--Harbor PatrolActor
- 1935Let 'em Have It · as Mr. KeeferActor
- 1935The Healer · as ApplejackActor
- 1935Waterfront Lady · as Capt. O'BrienActor
- 1935Shadows of the Orient · as Inspector SullivanActor
- 1935Hitch Hike Lady · as Judge HaleActor
- 1935Fighting Youth · as Coach ParkerActor
- 1935Maybe It's Love · as The CopActor
- 1935Stormy · as Trinidad DornActor
- 1935The Arizonian · as Marshal Andy JordanActor
- 1935Swellhead · as UmpireActor
- 1935Northern Frontier · as InspectorActor
- 1936Show Boat · as Windy MacLaineActor
- 1936Riffraff · as 'Brains'Actor
- 1936Exclusive Story · as Michael DevlinActor
- 1936Florida Special · as HarriganActor
- 1936Mysterious Crossing · as Police Chief BullockActor
- 1937Topper · as PolicemanActor
- 1937Parnell · as Irish LaborerActor
- 1937Slave Ship · as ProprietorActor
- 1937Maid of Salem · as Captain of ShipActor
- 1937My Dear Miss Aldrich · as 'Doc' HoweActor
- 1937Slim · as PopActor
- 1937The Game That Kills · as Joe HollandActor
- 1937The Hit Parade · as Sgt. O'HaraActor
- 1937County Fair · as Calvin WilliamsActor
- 1937Roaring Timber · as Andrew MacKinleyActor
- 1937Flying Fists · as Bill 'One-Punch' FaginActor
- 1937The Great Barrier · as Major RogersActor
- 1937Courage of the West · as Buck SaundersActor
- 1938There Goes My Heart · as OfficerActor
- 1938Gang Bullets · as Chief ReardonActor
- 1938White Banners · as Dr. ThompsonActor
- 1938Submarine Patrol · as CWO 'Sails' QuincannonActor
- 1938Barefoot Boy · as WardenActor
- 1938The Crowd Roars · as Father Patrick RyanActor
- 1938The Last Express · as William Barton (Detective Agency Head)Actor
- 1938Come On, Rangers · as Colonel ForbesActor
- 1938State Police · as Charlie WheelerActor
- 1938My Old Kentucky Home · as Mayor Jim HopkinsActor
- 1938Extortion · as Coach PearsonActor
- 1938Numbered Woman · as Capt. Mike RyanActor
- 1938Little Orphan Annie · as 'Pop' CorriganActor
- 1939Susannah of the Mounties · as Pat O'HanneganActor
- 1939Zenobia · as JudgeActor
- 1939They Shall Have Music · as Police Chief (uncredited)Actor
- 1939East Side of Heaven · as Doorman (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Full Confession · as Joe, Police Sergeant (uncredited)Actor
- 1939The Housekeeper's Daughter · as CaptainActor
- 1939Coast Guard · as Capt. Hansen (uncredited)Actor
- 1939Conspiracy · as Captain of the FalconActor
- 1939The Lone Ranger Rides Again · as Craig DolanActor
- 1939Mickey the Kid · as Sheriff J.J. WilloughbyActor
- 1939The Gentleman from Arizona · as Wild Bill CoburnActor
- 1940Dark Command · as DaveActor
- 1940The Last Alarm · as Jim HadleyActor
- 1940Untamed · as Dr. BillarActor
- 1940I Take This Oath · as Insp. Tim RyanActor
- 1940The Light of Western Stars · as Bill StillwellActor
- 1940Stagecoach War · as Jeff ChapmanActor
- 1940Pony Express Days · as Nevada JimActor
- 1940Prairie Law · as Sheriff Jim AustinActor
- 1940Knights of the Range · as CappyActor
- 1940Friendly Neighbors · as Sheiff PottsActor
- 1941Meet John Doe · as 'Sourpuss'Actor
- 1941The Great Lie · as Dr. FergusonActor
- 1941Broadway Limited · as MulcaheyActor
- 1941In Old Cheyenne · as Tim CaseyActor
- 1941Riders of the Timberline · as Jim KerriganActor
- 1941Law of the Timber · as AdamsActor
- 1942The Palm Beach Story · as Officer O'Donnell (uncredited)Actor
- 1942Reap the Wild Wind · as Port CaptainActor
- 1942Bowery at Midnight · as Capt. MitchellActor
- 1942Captains of the Clouds · as Dr. NevilleActor
- 1942The Living Ghost · as Police Lt. 'Pete' PetersonActor
- 1942Private Snuffy Smith · as Gen. RosewaterActor
- 1942One Thrilling Night · as Police Sergeant HaggertyActor
- 1942Wild Bill Hickok Rides · as Henry HathawayActor
- 1942Phantom Killer · as Police CaptainActor
- 1942The McGuerins from Brooklyn · as CopActor
- 1943The Ape Man · as Captain O'BrienActor
- 1943True to Life · as Man (uncredited)Actor
- 1943Tiger Fangs · as Geoffrey MacCardleActor
- 1943Harrigan's Kid · as Frank (uncredited)Actor
- 1944The Miracle of Morgan's Creek · as Sheriff (uncredited)Actor
- 1944The Great Moment · as The PriestActor
- 1944Greenwich Village · as O'Shea, policemanActor
- 1944Texas Masquerade · as John MartindaleActor
- 1945Fallen Angel · as Bank Guard (uncredited)Actor
- 1945A Tree Grows in Brooklyn · as Mr. Carney The Junkman (uncredited)Actor
- 1945Hangover Square · as Street Vendor (uncredited)Actor
- 1945Johnny Angel · as Capt. AngelActor
- 1945Pillow of DeathActor
- 1945Circumstantial Evidence · as Jury ForemanActor
- 1946It's a Wonderful Life · as Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited)Actor
- 1946My Darling Clementine · as Mac the barmanActor
- 1946Smoky · as JimActor
- 1946Joe Palooka, Champ · as Long-Count BowmanActor
- 1946Goodbye, Weeds · as GardenerActor
- 1947The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer · as Mac (uncredited)Actor
- 1947The Sin of Harold Diddlebock · as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)Actor
- 1947Christmas Eve · as Policeman (uncredited)Actor
- 1947Web of Danger · as Scotty MacKronish - Bus DriverActor
- 1947Thunder in the Valley · as McPherson - InnkeeperActor
- 1947Keeper of the Bees · as PostmasterActor
- 1948Sitting Pretty · as Cop (uncredited)Actor
- 1948Whispering Smith · as Bill BaggsActor
- 1948Panhandle · as Doc CooperActor
- 1948Fury at Furnace Creek · as Pops Murphy (uncredited)Actor
- 1948Belle Starr's Daughter · as Doc BensonActor
- 1948The Walls of Jericho · as Bailiff (uncredited)Actor
- 1948If You Knew Susie · as Police Sergeant (uncredited)Actor
- 1948Trouble Preferred · as Apartment House Manager (uncredited)Actor
- 1948Shep Comes Home · as Sheriff Cap WeatherbyActor
- 1949You're My Everything · as Doorman (uncredited)Actor
- 1949The Dalton Gang · as Judge PriceActor
- 1949Streets of San Francisco · as Pop LockhartActor
- 1950Woman on the Run · as Cap, the Retired Ferryboat CaptainActor
- 1950When Willie Comes Marching Home · as Gilby - Pharmacist (uncredited)Actor
- 1950Dakota Lil · as EllisActor
- 1950Hostile Country · as Mr. Lane (uncredited)Actor
- 1950The Daltons' Women · as AlvinActor
- 1951Superman and the Mole Men · as Pop ShannonActor
- 1951Here Comes the Groom · as Husband on Airplane (uncredited)Actor
- 1951Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell · as Mr. KroegerActor
- 1997Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line · as Self (archive footage)Actor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.