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Douglas Spencer

Douglas Spencer

Known For Acting
Birthday Feb 10, 1910
Died Oct 06, 1960 (50)
Birthplace Princeton, Illinois, USA
Popularity 3 (history)
Updated Aug 09, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

Douglas Spencer (born July 4, 1910 – March 5, 1960) was an American actor, best known for his roles in classic science fiction films and film noirs during the 1940s and 1950s. Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theate ... r before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time. Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles. In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood. Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama. Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries. Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films. Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.

Known For

Filmography

The Sins of Rachel Cade

The Sins of Rachel Cade

1961

as Doctor Bikel

The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank

1959

as Kraler

Saddle the Wind

Saddle the Wind

1958

as Hemp Scribner

The Three Faces of Eve

The Three Faces of Eve

1957

as Mr. Black

Short Cut to Hell

Short Cut to Hell

1957

as Train Conductor

The Unholy Wife

The Unholy Wife

1957

as Judge

Omar Khayyam

Omar Khayyam

1957

as Pigeon Keeper

Man from Del Rio

Man from Del Rio

1956

as Sheriff Jack Tillman

Pardners

Pardners

1956

as Smith

Smoke Signal

Smoke Signal

1955

as Garode

This Island Earth

This Island Earth

1955

as The Monitor of Metaluna

A Man Alone

A Man Alone

1955

as Henry Slocum

The Kentuckian

The Kentuckian

1955

as Frome Brother (uncredited)

River of No Return

River of No Return

1954

as Sam Benson

The Raid

The Raid

1954

as Rev. Douglas

The Glass Wall

The Glass Wall

1953

as Inspector Bailey

She's Back on Broadway

She's Back on Broadway

1953

as Lew Ludlow

Shane

Shane

1953

as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead

Trouble Along the Way

Trouble Along the Way

1953

as Father Procurator aka George

Houdini

Houdini

1953

as Simms

Untamed Frontier

Untamed Frontier

1952

as Clayton Vance

Monkey Business

Monkey Business

1952

as Dr. Brunner

Something to Live For

Something to Live For

1952

as Joey (uncredited)

The Thing from Another World

The Thing from Another World

1951

as Ned 'Scotty' Scott

Warpath

Warpath

1951

as Kelso

The Redhead and The Cowboy

The Redhead and The Cowboy

1951

as Perry (Union agent)

Come Fill the Cup

Come Fill the Cup

1951

as Ike Bashaw

A Place in the Sun

A Place in the Sun

1951

as Boatkeeper (uncredited)

Union Station

Union Station

1950

as Stationmaster (uncredited)

Father of the Bride

Father of the Bride

1950

as Fritz the Organist (uncredited)

Follow Me Quietly

Follow Me Quietly

1949

as Phony Judge

Alias Nick Beal

Alias Nick Beal

1949

as Henry T. Finch

Bride of Vengeance

Bride of Vengeance

1949

as False Physician

The Heiress

The Heiress

1949

as Minister (uncredited)

My Friend Irma

My Friend Irma

1949

as Interior Decorator (uncredited)

Trapped

Trapped

1949

as Sam Hooker (uncredited)

It Happens Every Spring

It Happens Every Spring

1949

as Train Conductor (uncredited)

Red, Hot and Blue

Red, Hot and Blue

1949

as Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)

Night Has a Thousand Eyes

Night Has a Thousand Eyes

1948

as Dr. Ramsdell

The Big Clock

The Big Clock

1948

as Bert Finch

Adventure Island

Adventure Island

1947

as Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)

The Dark Corner

The Dark Corner

1946

as Deli Customer (uncredited)

Incendiary Blonde

Incendiary Blonde

1945

as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)

The Lost Weekend

The Lost Weekend

1945

as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)

Kitty

Kitty

1945

as Guest (uncredited)

Double Indemnity

Double Indemnity

1944

as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)

Princess O'Rourke

Princess O'Rourke

1943

as Pilot (uncredited)

Fall In

Fall In

1942

as Military Policeman

A Date with the Falcon

A Date with the Falcon

1942

as Witness at Accident (uncredited)

Lady Scarface

Lady Scarface

1941

as Police Secretary

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

1941

as Hotel Guest

Men Against the Sky

Men Against the Sky

1940

as Mechanic

Lucky Partners

Lucky Partners

1940

as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Christmas in July

Christmas in July

1940

as Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)

Little Nellie Kelly

Little Nellie Kelly

1940

as Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)

Allegheny Uprising

Allegheny Uprising

1939

as Prisoner in Irons

The Day the Bookies Wept

The Day the Bookies Wept

1939

as Auction Spectator (uncredited)

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

Lux Video Theatre

as Jonas

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1950

The Twilight Zone

as 1st Martian

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 1959

The Millionaire

as Joe Brock

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 19, 1955

The Rebel

as Joe Shandell

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1959

Wire Service

as Mason

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 04, 1956

Bonanza

as Alonzo McFadden

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 12, 1959

Cheyenne

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1955

The Rifleman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 30, 1958

Studio 57

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1954

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 7 11 5
2024 7 10 22 4
2024 8 9 16 4
2024 9 5 11 2
2024 10 4 7 1
2024 11 3 5 1
2024 12 3 6 1
2025 1 7 17 3
2025 2 5 13 1
2025 3 3 5 1
2025 5 1 2 1
2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 3 7 0

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
No trending metrics available.

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