Tommy Farrell (born Thomas Farrell Richards; October 7, 1921 – May 9, 2004) was an American actor and comedian who appeared in over 100 films and TV series between 1944 and 1983. He was best known for his sidekick roles in the Hollywood Golden Age.
Early years
A native of Hollywood, California, he grew up watching his mother, actress Glenda Farrell, appear in films such as Little Caesar and I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang, opposite Edward G. Robinson and Paul Muni, respectively. His father was film editor Thomas Richards. Farrell attended St. John’s Military Academy in Los Angeles and was a drama student at the University of Arizona. He served in the Army Air Forces during World War II.
Career
Farrell made his Broadway debut as a young drummer in Strip for Action and made his movie debut in Winged Victory, the film version of the Army Air Forces play of the same title. He was a corporal at the time.
During the 1940s, he became entrenched as a supporting player in B Westerns and cliffhanger serials. He also appeared in a number of other films, including Kissin’ Cousins costarring with his mother, Glenda Farrell, and Elvis Presley, and A Guide for the Married Man with Walter Matthau. After the Westerns and serials, he migrated to television work.
On television, Farrell played Corporal Thad Carson on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Riff Ryan on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,:267 and Chet Holliday, father of Alice Holliday, in the 1958–59 syndicated sitcom This is Alice.:1074 He was also a recurring guest star in two other sitcoms, Room for One More and Here’s Lucy. He made six appearances on Perry Mason in minor roles such as salesman or reporter. He finally retired in 1979 after filming an episode of the Robert Urich series, Vega$.
Personal life
Farrell was married three times. He had a daughter, born in 1945, with his first wife, Norma, another daughter, born in 1951, with his second wife, Ann, and two more children, a son and a daughter, with his third wife, Bobbi.
Recognition
In 2003, Farrell was honored during the 21st Annual Golden Boot Awards ceremony for his work in the Western genre, along with Sue Ane Langdon, Michael Dante, Graham Greene, Kris Kristofferson, and Tommy Lee Jones, among others.
Death
Farrell died of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Fund hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. At the time of his death, he was the last living B Western sidekick from the golden era of Westerns.[citation needed]
He was survived by his wife, a son, three daughters, and three grandchildren.
Filmography
Films
Winged Victory (1944) – Soldier in Audience at Camp Show (uncredited)
Duchess of Idaho (1950) – Chuck
Atom Man vs. Superman (1950, Serial) – Man Observing Ship Rescue / Briggs, Chs. 2, 10 (uncredited)
Gunfire (1950) – Lerner—Silver Wagon Driver
Last of the Buccaneers (1950) – René – Pirate (uncredited)
Pirates of the High Seas (1950, Serial) – Kelly Walsh
Pygmy Island (1950) – Captain (uncredited)
Outlaws of Texas (1950) – Jeff Johnson
At War with the Army (1950) – Cpl. Clark
Colorado Ambush (1951) – Terry Williams
Abilene Trail (1951) – Ed Dawson
A Yank in Korea (1951) – Jinx Hamilton
Roar of the Iron Horse (1951, Seial) – Del – Young Outlaw in Polka-Dot Shirt [Chs. 6, 7, 9–11, 15] (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train (1951) – 1# Miriam’s Boyfriend (uncredited)
The Strip (1951) – Boynton
The Stooge (1951) – Tommy – Kit Kat Club MC (uncredited)
Starlift (1951) – Turner – Card Player (uncredited)
Captain Video: Master of the Stratosphere (1951, Serial) – Atoma Head Soldier [Ch. 2] (uncredited)
The Marrying Kind (1952) – Cliff (uncredited)
Night Raiders (1952) – Jim Dugan
Meet Danny Wilson (1952) – Tommy Wells
This Woman Is Dangerous (1952) – Bellhop (uncredited)
Flesh and Fury (1952) – Rocky (uncredited)
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) – Sid Phillips (uncredited)
The Atomic City (1952) – Baseball Game Usher (uncredited)
Brave Warrior (1952) – Townsman (uncredited)
You for Me (1952) – Dr. Rollie Cobb
The Golden Hawk (1952) – Spanish Captain (uncredited)
Son of Geronimo: Apache Avenger (1952, Serial) – Frank Baker
Wyoming Roundup (1952) – Bob Burke
Girls in the Night (1953) – Frankie
The 49th Man (1953) – Agent Reynolds
Siren of Bagdad (1953) – Palace Guard (uncredited)
Sky Commando (1953) – Pilot (uncredited)
The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd (1953) – Kidd crewman (uncredited)
Gunfighters of the Northwest (1954, Serial) – Constable Arch Perry – Ch’s 1–2
Woman Obsessed (1959) – Carnival Barker (uncredited)
North by Northwest (1959) – Eddie, Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Wake Me When It’s Over (1960) – Smitty (uncredited)
Bells Are Ringing (1960) – Party Guest (uncredited)
Swingin’ Along (1961) – Georgie
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – Party Guest (uncredited)
Saintly Sinners (1962) – Mike (uncredited)
My Six Loves (1963) – Studio Representative (uncredited)
Kissin’ Cousins (1964) – Master Sgt. William George Bailey
The Disorderly Orderly (1964) – Policeman (uncredited)
Never Too Late (1965) – Fred Ainsley (uncredited)
Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! (1966) – Reporter (uncredited)
A Guide for the Married Man (1967) – Rance G.’s Hanger On
TV shows
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1955–59) – Cpl. Thad Carson
Matinee Theatre (1957) – George Hill
Maverick (1957) – Lefty Dolan
Bachelor Father (1957–1961) – Toaster Salesman / Joe Browning / Cecil
Cheyenne (1958)
This is Alice (1958) – Chet Holliday
Dragnet (1958)
Gunsmoke (1958) – Pfc. Atwood
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1959) – Billy Bland
Bourbon Street Beat (1959–1960) – Jay O’Hanlon
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959–1961) – Riff Ryan
Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1960) – Frank Connolly
Hawaiian Eye (1960–1962) – Freddie / Breezy Gallagher / Cy Bliss
Pete and Gladys (1961) – Steve
Bringing Up Buddy (1961) – Billy
The Roaring 20’s (1961) – Hermie Marcus / Al
Perry Mason (1962–1965) – Reporter / TV Reporter / Jefferson / Herbert Baker / Robert Fordney / Salesman
Rawhide (1963) – Mister Buzby
Dr. Kildare (1963) – Wally
The Fugitive (1964) – Ryan
The Munsters (1964) – The Assistant
The Addams Family (1965) – Sam Diamond
The Lucy Show (1965–1966) – Harry / Pete Murdock
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1966) – Coplin
F Troop (1966) – Jenks
The Beverly Hillbillies (1966) – Pilot
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1966–1968) – Assistant Cameraman / Reporter
Lost in Space (1967) – Cyborg
Here’s Lucy (1968–1974) – Phil Harris’ Manager / Bank Teller / Paul / Reporter / Sky Marshal / Morgan
Get Smart (1970) – Tuttle
Vega$ (1979) – Harmon Cox
Hart to Hart (1983) – Roaring Tommy (final appearance)
External Links
Actor Tommy Farrell – Wikipedia
