This old codger film favorite, born in 1869 (some reports say 1875),
got into the entertainment field at an early age, first as a circus
performer (aerialist and trapeze artist). When acting sparked his
interest, he worked in a series of stock companies while writing
stage plays that he himself could star in. He married actress Anna
Chance around the turn of the century, and they remained a
devoted couple until her death 47 years later. They had no children.
Charley came into his own in films at the ripe old age of 60 as the
ultimate humorous, toothless character in a range of films with rustic
settings. Notable movies include Der versteinerte Wald (1936)
with Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart, Die gute Erde (1937) with Paul Muni and Luise Rainer, and
Sein letztes Kommando (1941) with Errol Flynn.
However, his best-remembered parts were as huggable Uncle Henry in the
classic Das zauberhafte Land (1939), ornery Grandpa Joad, who refused
to leave the homestead in Früchte des Zorns (1940),
Inspector Queen in the Ellery Queen whodunits that ran from 1940
through 1942, and the amiable ne'er-do-well Jeeter Lester in
Tabakstraße (1941). A soft, humorous presence who seemed
frail around the edges, he was a thorough delight, his folksy presence
gracing over 100 films. He died in 1956.
