Steve Murphy

Biography

Steve Murphy, who died in 1953, was an American character actor in silent films. Born in Pawtucket, he came to the movies around 1915, when he was 39, taking odd jobs at California studios and lots as a property man before moving into acting. His flattened nose and tough looks earned him the nickname Broken Nose Murphy, and he was usually cast as henchmen, conmen and roughnecks. His largest part came in Charlie Chaplin's The Circus (1928), where he had a long scene trying to get back a wallet he had put in the Tramp's trousers. He was the only actor of his time to work with all four comedy legends: Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy. His career ended when sound arrived.

77years old at death

Born December 25, 1875Pawtucket
Died January 31, 1953Oakland
Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Stephen Michael Clancey (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 6
Career span: 9 years1919 to 1928

Genres

Comedy67%, 4 films
Romance50%, 3 films
Drama33%, 2 films
Crime17%, 1 film
Family17%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

A first
Murphy was the era's only actor who appeared with all four comedy legends: Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and Laurel and Hardy.
A change of course
Murphy started in film around 1915 at age 39 as a property man doing general work around California studios before transitioning into acting.
Big break
Murphy's biggest part came in Charlie Chaplin's The Circus (1928). In a long scene, he tries to get back a stolen wallet that he had put in the Tramp's trousers.
About the name
Known as "Broken Nose Murphy" for his distinctive facial features, Murphy often took roles as henchmen, conmen, and roughneck characters.

Steve Murphy movies on Netflix

The Circus1928IMDb rating 8.1as A Pickpocket
Sally of the Sawdust1925IMDb rating 6.6as Bandit
The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8as Member of Ships crew
Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5as Conman Selling Furniture
Outside the Law1921IMDb rating 6.6as Member of Black Mike's Gang
Broken Blossoms1919IMDb rating 7.2as Fight Spectator

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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The Circus1928 Comedy, Romanceas A Pickpocket
IMDb rating 8.139K votes
Cops1922 Comedy, Familyas Conman Selling Furniture
IMDb rating 7.57.6K votes
The Love Nest1923as Member of Ships crew
IMDb rating 6.82.8K votes
Broken Blossoms1919as Fight Spectator
IMDb rating 7.212K votes
Outside the Law1921as Member of Black Mike's Gang
IMDb rating 6.6847 votes
Sally of the Sawdust1925as Bandit
IMDb rating 6.6643 votes

Most often with

D.W. Griffith directed two of these films, Buster Keaton two and Edward F. Cline two. Three actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Buster Keaton

Joe Roberts

Virginia FoxD.W. GriffithDirector, 2 films

Buster KeatonDirector, 2 films

Edward F. ClineDirector, 2 films

Films together

Buster Keaton2 films together, 1922 to 1923
Buster Keaton's page
- The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8Murphy as Member of Ships crewKeaton as Buster Keaton
- Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5Murphy as Conman Selling FurnitureKeaton as The Young Man('Buster' Keaton)
Joe Roberts2 films together, 1922 to 1923
Joe Roberts's page
- The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8Murphy as Member of Ships crewRoberts as Captain of the Whaler
- Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5Murphy as Conman Selling FurnitureRoberts as Police Chief
Virginia Fox2 films together, 1922 to 1923
Virginia Fox's page
- The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8Murphy as Member of Ships crewFox as The Girl
- Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5Murphy as Conman Selling FurnitureFox as Mayor's Daughter
D.W. GriffithDirector, 2 films, 1919 to 1925
All films by D.W. Griffith
- Sally of the Sawdust1925IMDb rating 6.6Murphy as Bandit
- Broken Blossoms1919IMDb rating 7.2Murphy as Fight Spectator
Buster KeatonDirector, 2 films, 1922 to 1923
All films by Buster Keaton
- The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8Murphy as Member of Ships crew
- Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5Murphy as Conman Selling Furniture
Edward F. ClineDirector, 2 films, 1922 to 1923
All films by Edward F. Cline
- The Love Nest1923IMDb rating 6.8Murphy as Member of Ships crew
- Cops1922IMDb rating 7.5Murphy as Conman Selling Furniture

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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