Ned Sparks
Biography
Ned Sparks was a Canadian character actor who built a long career on the American stage and in Hollywood, known for his deadpan face, sarcastic manner and comically nasal monotone. Born in Guelph, Ontario, and raised in St. Thomas, he left home at 16, tried prospecting in the Klondike and drifted into performing as a singer with a traveling musical company. He moved to New York City in 1907 and first appeared on Broadway in 1912, developing his trademark deadpan while playing a hotel clerk in Little Miss Brown. Signed to a six-picture deal by MGM's Louis B. Mayer, he worked in silent films before his talkie debut in The Big Noise (1928). In the 1930s he became known for dour, cigar-chomping roles, among them Blessed Event (1932), 42nd Street (1933), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) and Lady for a Day (1933). He retired from films in 1947 and later voiced the cartoon characters Heckle and Jeckle.
73years old at death
- Born Guelph
- Died Victorville
- Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
- Also credited as Edward Arthur Sparkman
Movie Career
- Films
- 8
- Career span
- 18 years1929 to 1947
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Big break
Ned Sparks developed his trademark deadpan expression while playing a hotel clerk in the Broadway play Little Miss Brown, and the success of that performance led Louis B. Mayer to sign him to a six-picture deal.
A change of course
Sparks began performing after he ran out of money prospecting in the Klondike Gold Rush, winning a spot as a singer on a traveling musical company's tour while billed as a Singer of Sweet Southern Songs.
A first
In 1936, The New York Times said Sparks had taken out a $100,000 policy on his face with Lloyd's of London. He later said the tale was a publicity stunt and the coverage was only $10,000.
Ned Sparks movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Lloyd Bacon directed two of these films. Two 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
Guy Kibbee's page
Warren William's page
Allen Jenkins's page
Ginger Rogers's page
Dick Powell's page
Robert McWade's page
All films by Lloyd Bacon
Also two films together3 more actors
- Joan Barclay42nd Street (1933) and Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
- Ruby Keeler42nd Street (1933) and Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
- Loretta Andrews42nd Street (1933) and Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
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.