Thomas Ralph Potts (November 20, 1914 – August 10, 1944), known professionally as Richard Fiske, was an American film actor. He appeared in over 80 films between 1938 and 1942.
Richard Fiske | |
|---|---|
 Fiske, circa September 1938 | |
| Born | Thomas Ralph Potts November 20, 1914 Shelton, Washington, U.S |
| Died | August 10, 1944 (aged 29) La Croix-Avranchin, France |
| Cause of death | Killed in action |
| Resting place | Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Basse-Normandie, France |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1938–1942 |
Career
editBorn Thomas Ralph Potts, Fiske was born to Frank Potts and Bernice Fiske.[1] The tall, handsome young actor signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1938, and appeared regularly in the studio's "B" pictures, serials, and short subjects, including major roles in the popular serials The Spider's Web (1938) and Flying G-Men (1939), frequent castings in the Blondie, The Lone Wolf, and Boston Blackie series, and equally frequent work with short-subject comedians Charley Chase, Andy Clyde, and Buster Keaton.
Fiske is best known by modern viewers for his portrayals of neurotic foils to The Three Stooges. Perhaps his most familiar role is that of the irate husband-turned-drill sergeant in 1940's Boobs in Arms. This performance would be recycled three years later in Dizzy Pilots.[2] His last film role was Ginger Rogers' fiancee in the Billy Wilder comedy The Major and the Minor.
Death
editFiske's brief acting career was cut short when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He was killed in action two years later at La Croix-Avranchin, while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment (United States) 2nd Infantry Division. 1st Lieutenant Fiske (Potts) was 28 years of age.[2]
Fiske was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and several other military honors. He is buried at Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Basse-Normandie, France.[1][3]
Selected filmography
edit- Juvenile Court (1938) - Spectator at Accident (uncredited)
- Girls' School (1938) - Sugar' - Myras First Dance Partner (uncredited)
- The Spider's Web (1938, Serial) - Jackson
- In Early Arizona (1938) - Gambler (uncredited)
- Blondie (1938) - Nelson - Dithers' Employee (uncredited)
- The Little Adventuress (1938) - Dick Horton
- Homicide Bureau (1939) - Hank
- Flying G-Men (1939, Serial) - Bart Davis
- Blondie Meets the Boss (1939) - Nelson
- Romance of the Redwoods (1939) - Logger (uncredited)
- North of the Yukon (1939) - Mart Duncan
- Outside These Walls (1939) - Prisoner (uncredited)
- Missing Daughters (1939) - 2nd Attendant (uncredited)
- Pest from the West (1939, Short) - Ferdinand the Bullfighter
- Good Girls Go to Paris (1939) - Student (uncredited)
- The Man from Sundown (1939) - Tom Kellogg
- Overland with Kit Carson (1939, Serial) - Lieutenant David Brent
- Behind Prison Gates (1939) - Agent Lyman
- Konga, the Wild Stallion (1939) - Steve Calhoun
- Parents on Trial (1939) - Lawrence Hastings
- Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise (1939, Short) - Mr. Johnson - Farmer (uncredited)
- The Taming of the West (1939) - Blacksmith (uncredited)
- Scandal Sheet (1939) - Student
- Blondie Brings Up Baby (1939) - Dithers' Employee (uncredited)
- Three Sappy People (1939, Short) - Party Guest (uncredited)
- The Stranger from Texas (1939) - Ned Browning
- My Son Is Guilty (1939) - Mac (uncredited)
- You Nazty Spy! (1940, Short) - Mr. Ixnay (uncredited)
- The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940) - Officer in Chase Car (uncredited)
- Convicted Woman (1940) - Hank (uncredited)
- Five Little Peppers at Home (1940) - Aunt Martha's Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Pioneers of the Frontier (1940) - Henchman Bart
- The Man from Tumbleweeds (1940) - Ranger Slash (Henchman Slash in credits)
- Men Without Souls (1940) - Crowley
- Island of Doomed Men (1940) - Hale (uncredited)
- Texas Stagecoach (1940) - Workman (uncredited)
- The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady (1940) - Detective Jackson (uncredited)
- Before I Hang (1940) - Mandish (uncredited)
- Glamour for Sale (1940) - Club Bartender (uncredited)
- Prairie Schooners (1940) - Adams
- So You Won't Talk (1940) - Cop (uncredited)
- Blondie Plays Cupid (1940) - Nelson (uncredited)
- Girls Under 21 (1940) - Cop (uncredited)
- Arizona (1940) - Teamster (uncredited)
- The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date (1940) - Croupier With Check (uncredited)
- The Phantom Submarine (1940) - Cab Driver (uncredited)
- This Thing Called Love (1940) - Ship officer (uncredited)
- Boobs in Arms (1940, Short) - Sergeant Hugh Dare
- The Devil Commands (1941) - Dr. Richard Sayles
- Across the Sierras (1941) - Larry Armstrong
- Meet Boston Blackie (1941) - Police Officer (uncredited)
- Outlaws of the Panhandle (1941) - Henchman Britt
- North from the Lone Star (1941) - Clint Wilson
- They Dare Not Love (1941) - Third Photographer (uncredited)
- All the World's a Stooge (1941, Short) - Dr. I. Yankum (uncredited)
- Time Out for Rhythm (1941) - Customer (uncredited)
- Blondie in Society (1941) - Nelson, Dithers' Employee (uncredited)
- The Medico of Painted Springs (1941) - Kentucky Lane
- The Son of Davy Crockett (1941) - Jesse Gordon
- The Richest Man in Town (1941) - Son (uncredited)
- I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island (1941) - Georges (uncredited)
- Texas (1941) - Red, Fight Timekeeper (uncredited)
- The Officer and the Lady (1941) - Ace Quinn
- In the Sweet Pie and Pie (1941, Short) - Diggins (uncredited)
- Go West, Young Lady (1941) - Gang Member (uncredited)
- The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance (1941) - Brakeman (uncredited)
- Valley of the Sun (1942) - Lieutenant Burke (uncredited)
- Perils of the Royal Mounted (1942, Serial) - Constable Brady
- The Major and the Minor (1942) - Will Duffy (final film role)
- Dizzy Pilots (1943, Short) - Sergeant (archive footage)
References
edit- ^ a b Cappello, Bill (Winter 1992). "Supporting Player Richard Fiske: A Brief Biography". The Three Stooges Journal (64). Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania: The Three Stooges Fan Club, Inc.: 6–7, 14.
- ^ a b Solomon, Jon (2002). The Complete Three Stooges: The Official Filmography and Three Stooges Companion. Comedy III Productions, Inc. p. 192. ISBN 0-9711868-0-4.
- ^ Three Stooges FAQ