Ted Mapes
Biography
Ted Mapes was an American character actor who also worked extensively as a stuntman and body double. Born in St. Edward, Nebraska, he went to Los Angeles in his mid-twenties and began in the film industry in 1929 as a grip. While employed on One Frightened Night (1935), he received a bit part as a masked killer; later that same year he earned his first official role in The Silent Code. Over the following 25 years he appeared in almost 70 films, mostly in smaller parts, including serials and the Roy Rogers and Gabby Hayes feature The Ranger and the Lady (1940). He doubled for many actors, notably Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper, and served as Cooper's stand-in on 17 films. His television credits included Gunsmoke, Wagon Train and The Virginian, and his last performance was in the 1969 musical Hello, Dolly!
82years old at death
- Born St. Edward
- Died Burbank
- Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 14 years1939 to 1953
Every film, newest first
- 1953Thunder BayIMDb rating 6.5
- 1943The OutlawIMDb rating 5.4
- 1940The Ranger and the LadyIMDb rating 6.0
- 1939The Arizona KidIMDb rating 5.9
Genres
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First role
Mapes worked as a grip on One Frightened Night, a 1935 film by Christy Cabanne. On that picture he landed his first bit part, playing a masked killer.
A role that slipped away
Mapes was considered for the starring role in Red Ryder, but Don "Red" Barry ended up with the part instead.
A change of course
While taking John Barrymore's effects from the Samuel Goldwyn studio, Mapes found that studio grips earned twice his pay. He then became a grip and spent five years on film crews.
Ted Mapes movies on Netflix
Most often with
Joseph Kane directed two of these films. Six 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.
Films together
George 'Gabby' Hayes's page
Roy Rogers's page
Herman Hack's page
Fred Burns's page
Art Dillard2 films together, 1939 to 1940
Art Dillard's page
Spade Cooley's page
Joseph KaneDirector, 2 films, 1939 to 1940
All films by Joseph Kane
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.