Douglas Spencer
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 theater 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.
Acted in
The Sins of Rachel Cade
1961
as Doctor Bikel
The Rebel
1959
as Joe Shandell
The Twilight Zone
1959
as 1st Martian
Bonanza
1959
as Alonzo McFadden
The Diary of Anne Frank
1959
as Kraler
The Rifleman
1958
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
1958
as Marshal Fred Woodruff
Saddle the Wind
1958
as Hemp Scribner
The Three Faces of Eve
1957
as Mr. Black
Short Cut to Hell
1957
as Train Conductor
Omar Khayyam
1957
as Pigeon Keeper
The Unholy Wife
1957
as Judge
Man from Del Rio
1956
as Sheriff Jack Tillman
Wire Service
1956
as Mason
Pardners
1956
as Smith
A Man Alone
1955
as Henry Slocum
Cheyenne
1955
The Kentuckian
1955
as Frome Brother (uncredited)
This Island Earth
1955
as The Monitor of Metaluna
Smoke Signal
1955
as Garode
The Millionaire
1955
as Joe Brock
Studio 57
1954
The Raid
1954
as Rev. Douglas
River of No Return
1954
as Sam Benson
Houdini
1953
as Simms
Shane
1953
as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
Trouble Along the Way
1953
as Father Procurator aka George
The Glass Wall
1953
as Inspector Bailey
She's Back on Broadway
1953
as Lew Ludlow
Monkey Business
1952
as Dr. Brunner
Untamed Frontier
1952
as Clayton Vance
Something to Live For
1952
as Joey (uncredited)
Warpath
1951
as Kelso
Come Fill the Cup
1951
as Ike Bashaw
A Place in the Sun
1951
as Boatkeeper (uncredited)
The Thing from Another World
1951
as Ned 'Scotty' Scott
The Redhead and The Cowboy
1951
as Perry (Union agent)
Union Station
1950
as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Jonas
Father of the Bride
1950
as Fritz the Organist (uncredited)
The Heiress
1949
as Minister (uncredited)
Trapped
1949
as Sam Hooker (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue
1949
as Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)
Follow Me Quietly
1949
as Phony Judge
It Happens Every Spring
1949
as Train Conductor (uncredited)
Bride of Vengeance
1949
as False Physician
Alias Nick Beal
1949
as Henry T. Finch
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
1948
as Dr. Ramsdell
The Sainted Sisters
1948
as Townsman (uncredited)
The Big Clock
1948
as Bert Finch
Adventure Island
1947
as Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)
The Dark Corner
1946
as Deli Customer (uncredited)
The Lost Weekend
1945
as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
Kitty
1945
as Guest (uncredited)
Incendiary Blonde
1945
as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)
Double Indemnity
1944
as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
Princess O'Rourke
1943
as Pilot (uncredited)
Fall In
1942
as Military Policeman
A Date with the Falcon
1942
as Witness at Accident (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941
as Hotel Guest
Lady Scarface
1941
as Police Secretary
Little Nellie Kelly
1940
as Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)
Christmas in July
1940
as Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)
Men Against the Sky
1940
as Mechanic
Lucky Partners
1940
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Allegheny Uprising
1939
as Prisoner in Irons
The Day the Bookies Wept
1939
as Auction Spectator (uncredited)