Glenn Strange
Biography
Glenn Strange was an American actor remembered for Westerns and for playing Frankenstein's monster in three Universal films. Born in Weed, New Mexico Territory and raised on a ranch near Cross Cut, Texas, he began playing fiddle at dances as a boy and later had a music spot on an El Paso radio station. He started out as an outlaw in Hoot Gibson's Westerns, and his skill with a six-horse stagecoach often landed him driver roles. Strange appeared in The Mad Monster (1942) and The Black Raven (1943). He then played the monster in House of Frankenstein (1944). He repeated that role in House of Dracula (1945) and in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). On television he played Butch Cavendish on The Lone Ranger and spent 222 episodes as Sam Noonan on Gunsmoke. He died in 1973.
74years old at death
- Born Otero County
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as George Glenn Strange
Movie Career
- Films
- 17
- Career span
- 25 years1934 to 1959
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A role that slipped away
Glenn Strange turned down the Creature role in Creature from the Black Lagoon. The costume struck him as heavy and claustrophobic, so he declined the part when it was offered.
Languages
Strange used Cherokee until roughly age 13. By 1972 he told an interviewer that he had lost the language, having had nobody to speak it with since then.
A change of course
Strange started playing the fiddle at local dances at age 12. In 1928 he began performing music on a radio station in El Paso, Texas.
Big break
In 1960 Glenn Strange made his first appearance on Gunsmoke. James Arness had asked him when he would do a Gunsmoke, saying he liked working with big guys.
Getting ready for a role
Glenn Strange was coached by Boris Karloff personally after hours for his role as Frankenstein's monster in House of Frankenstein.
Glenn Strange movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948 Comedy, Family, Fantasyas The Monster
IMDb rating 7.321K votes
Most often with
Charles Barton directed two of these films, Sam Newfield two and Robert N. Bradbury two. Five actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Lou Costello's page
Bud Abbott's page
George Cleveland's page
William Boyd's page
Russell Hayden's page
John Wayne's page
All films by Charles Barton
Sam NewfieldDirector, 2 films, 1942 to 1943
All films by Sam Newfield
Robert N. BradburyDirector, 2 films, 1934 to 1935
All films by Robert N. Bradbury
Also two films together12 more actors
- Lon Chaney Jr.Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein (1948) and House of Dracula (1945)
- Morris AnkrumCattle Queen of Montana (1954) and Three Men from Texas (1940)
- Byron FoulgerCattle Queen of Montana (1954) and The Black Raven (1943)
- George ZuccoThe Black Raven (1943) and The Mad Monster (1942)
- George 'Gabby' HayesIn Old Mexico (1938) and The Star Packer (1934)
- Roy BuckoEscape from Fort Bravo (1953) and Three Men from Texas (1940)
- Charles MiddletonThe Black Raven (1943) and Flash Gordon (1936)
- Yakima CanuttWestward Ho (1935) and The Star Packer (1934)
- Fred BurnsThree Men from Texas (1940) and In Old Mexico (1938)
- Earl DwireWestward Ho (1935) and The Star Packer (1934)
- Art FelixCattle Queen of Montana (1954) and Law of the Pampas (1939)
- Anna DemetrioLaw of the Pampas (1939) and In Old Mexico (1938)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.