Alan Edwin Baxter (November 19, 1908 – May 7, 1976) was an American film and television actor.
Early years
Baxter was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Williams College, where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and a classmate of Elia Kazan. He went on to study in the 47 Drama Workshop at Yale University.
Stage
After he completed his studies, Baxter became a member of the Group Theatre in New York City. His Broadway credits include The Hallams (1947), Home of the Brave (1945), The Voice of the Turtle (1943), Winged Victory (1943), Thumbs Up! (1934), and Lone Valley (1932).
Military service
Baxter served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
Personal life
Baxter had been married to actress Barbara Williams for 17 years at the time of her death on November 9, 1953. Later, he was married to Christy Palmer until his death.
Filmography
Mary Burns, Fugitive (1935) – ‘Babe’ Wilson (film debut)
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936) – Clayt Tolliver
Big Brown Eyes (1936) – Cary Butler
Thirteen Hours by Air (1936) – Curtis Palmer
The Case Against Mrs. Ames (1936) – Lou
Parole! (1936) – Percy ‘Okay’ Smith
Breezing Home (1937) – Joe Montgomery
Wide Open Faces (1937) – Danny Haines
Night Key (1937) – John Baron aka The Kid
It Could Happen to You (1937) – Bob Ames
The Last Gangster (1937) – Acey Kile
Big Town Girl (1937) – James Mead
I Met My Love Again (1938) – Tony
Wide Open Faces (1938) – Tony
Gangs of New York (1938) – ‘Dapper’ Mallare
Off the Record (1939) – Joe Fallon
Boy Slaves (1939) – Graff
My Son Is a Criminal (1939) – Tim Halloran Jr.
Let Us Live (1939) – Joe Linden
Each Dawn I Die (1939) – Carlisle
In Name Only (1939) – Charley
Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940) – Billy Herndon
The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940) – Jim Ryder
Free, Blonde and 21 (1940) – Mickey Ryan
Escape to Glory (1940) – Larry Perrin, alias Larry Ross
The Man Who Talked Too Much (1940) – Joe Garland
Santa Fe Trail (1940) – Oliver Brown
Under Age (1941) – Tap Manson
Bad Men of Missouri (1941) – Jesse James
Rags to Riches (1941) – Jimmy Rogers
The Pittsburgh Kid (1941) – Joe Barton
Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) – ‘Whitey’ Barrow
Borrowed Hero (1941) – Roger Andrews
Saboteur (1942) – Mr. Freeman
Prisoner of Japan (1942) – David Bowman
Stand By All Networks (1942) – Victor
China Girl (1942) – Bill Jones
The Human Comedy (1943) – Brad Stickman
Behind Prison Walls (1943) – Jonathan MacGlennon
Pilot No. 5 (1943) – Winston Davis
Submarine Base (1943) – Joe Morgan
Women in Bondage (1943) – Otto Bracken
Winged Victory (1944) – Maj. Halper
The Prairie (1947) – Paul Hover
Close-Up (1948) – Phil Sparr
The Set-Up (1949) – Little Boy
She Shoulda Said No! (1949) – Markey
The True Story of Jesse James (1957) – Barney Remington
The End of the Line (1957) – Mike Selby
The Restless Years (1958) – Alex Fisher
Face of a Fugitive (1959) – Reed Williams
The Mountain Road (1960) – Gen. Loomis
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) – Brig. Gen. Matt Merrin
This Property Is Condemned (1966) – Knopke
Assault on a Queen (1966) – Larry – Crewman (uncredited)
Welcome to Hard Times (1967) – Jack Millay
Paint Your Wagon (1969) – Mr. Fenty
Chisum (1970) – Gov. Sam Axtell
Willard (1971) – Walter T. Spencer
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) – Military Officer (uncredited)
Television roles
Among Baxter’s television appearances were four guest roles on the CBS’ courtroom drama series, Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr. In 1961, he played the title role of Eugene Houseman in “The Case of the Left-Handed Liar”. Also in 1961 Gunsmoke Long, Long Trail he played Lou Hacker. In 1964, he played Roger Gray in “The Case of the Missing Button”. He also made three guest appearances on The Virginian, starring James Drury and he was guest starred on Ripcord, starring Larry Pennell and Ken Curtis as Leach in the episode “Derelict”. In September 1960, he appeared in the season premiere episode “The Longest Rope” of the western series Cheyenne, starring Clint Walker. In 1961 he appeared on Thriller(hosted by Boris Karloff) in the season 2, episode “Waxworks” playing Sergeant Dane. He also played Detective Baldwin on Alfred Hitchcock Hour in “The Crimson Witness” starring Peter Lawford.
External Links
Actor Alan Baxter – Wikipedia
