Todd Karns

Biography

Todd Karns was an American actor who set out to be a newspaper reporter before a theater production turned him toward acting, and he began in films in 1941 playing Harry Land in a pair of Andy Hardy pictures with Mickey Rooney. Born in Hollywood, he was the son of character actor Roscoe Karns. His first screen work was cut short by Army Air Corps service in the Second World War, and on his return to Hollywood he landed his best-known part, Harry Bailey, in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Smaller roles followed in Good Sam (1948) and The Caine Mutiny (1954). For television he was Jackson Jones in Jackson and Jill (1949 to 1953), the first weekly sitcom, and Sergeant Hart in Rocky King, Detective (1950 to 1954). He left acting in the mid-1950s and painted as well, selling his work to individuals and businesses. He died in 2000.

79years old at death

Born January 15, 1921Hollywood
Died February 5, 2000Ajijic
Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Also credited as Roscoe Todd Karns

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 12 years1942 to 1954

Every film, newest first

1954The Caine MutinyIMDb rating 7.6
1949My Foolish HeartIMDb rating 6.8
1948Good SamIMDb rating 6.3
1946It's a Wonderful LifeIMDb rating 8.6
1942The Courtship of Andy HardyIMDb rating 6.6

Genres

Did you know?!

A first
Todd Karns played Jackson Jones in Jackson and Jill, which ran from 1949 to 1953 and was the first weekly situation comedy for television.
A change of course
Karns initially planned to become a newspaper reporter, but taking part in a theater production changed his mind and turned him toward acting.
A change of course
Karns took up painting in January 1948. He went on to sell the works he made to individuals and to businesses.

Todd Karns movies on Netflix

The Caine Mutiny1954IMDb rating 7.6as Petty Officer 1st Class Stillwell
My Foolish Heart1949IMDb rating 6.8
Good Sam1948IMDb rating 6.3as Joe Adams
It's a Wonderful Life1946IMDb rating 8.6as Harry Bailey
The Courtship of Andy Hardy1942IMDb rating 6.6as Harry Land

Worked with

Todd Karns shares two films with Donna Reed, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Donna Reed

Jerry Paris

Irving Bacon

Ward Bond

James Stewart

Humphrey Bogart

Frank CapraDirector, 1 film Edward DmytrykDirector, 1 film Mark RobsonDirector, 1 film

Films together

Donna Reed2 films together, 1942 to 1946
Donna Reed's page
- It's a Wonderful Life1946IMDb rating 8.6Karns as Harry BaileyReed as Mary Hatch
- The Courtship of Andy Hardy1942IMDb rating 6.6Karns as Harry LandReed as Melodie Nesbit
Jerry Paris2 films together, 1949 to 1954
Jerry Paris's page
- The Caine Mutiny1954IMDb rating 7.6Karns as Petty Officer 1st Class StillwellParis as Ens. Barney Harding
- My Foolish Heart1949IMDb rating 6.8
Irving Bacon1 film together, 1948
Irving Bacon's page
- Good Sam1948IMDb rating 6.3Karns as Joe AdamsBacon as Tramp
Ward Bond1 film together, 1946
Ward Bond's page
- It's a Wonderful Life1946IMDb rating 8.6Karns as Harry BaileyBond as Bert
James Stewart1 film together, 1946
James Stewart's page
- It's a Wonderful Life1946IMDb rating 8.6Karns as Harry BaileyStewart as George Bailey
Humphrey Bogart1 film together, 1954
Humphrey Bogart's page
- The Caine Mutiny1954IMDb rating 7.6Karns as Petty Officer 1st Class StillwellBogart as Lt. Cmdr. Philip Francis Queeg
Frank CapraDirector, 1 film, 1946
All films by Frank Capra
- It's a Wonderful Life1946IMDb rating 8.6Karns as Harry Bailey
Edward DmytrykDirector, 1 film, 1954
All films by Edward Dmytryk
- The Caine Mutiny1954IMDb rating 7.6Karns as Petty Officer 1st Class Stillwell
Mark RobsonDirector, 1 film, 1949
All films by Mark Robson
- My Foolish Heart1949IMDb rating 6.8

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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