Moroni Olsen
Acting
🎂 1889-06-26
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 – November 22, 1954) was an American actor. Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Some sources have claimed that Olsen's birth name was John Willard Clawson, but there appears to be no support for this claim. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University. He then went to study at the University of Utah, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time. In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle. After having worked on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring Don Ameche as D'Artagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor. His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in It's a Wonderful Life. Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church, being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years.
Cast credits(100)
Judge
1951
Magic Mirror (voice) (uncredited)
1937
Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
1946
Targil
1949
Walter Beardsley
1946
Inspector Peterson
1945
Mr. Tewitt
1954
Col. William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody
1935
Senior Surgeon at San Diego
1941
Herbert Dunstan
1951
Chairman
1949
Dr. Henry Olcott
1942
Sylvanus Q. Sattherwaite
1941
President of Businessman's Board (uncredited)
1943
Bearded Leader of the People (uncredited)
1938
Tom Calhoon
1939
Rear Adm. Joshua Rice
1951
Lt. Poole
1936
The Warden
1939
Sam Houston
1952
Herbert Dunstan
1950
Riley
1944
Col. Blake
1943
Col. Faymonville
1943
General (uncredited)
1944
Ralph Henry
1942
Adm. Ames
1949
Robert E. Lee
1940
General Connally
1936
Arnold Reuben
1953
Major Allen
1942
Mr. Barton
1951
Paul Grebeau
1942
Managing Editor
1939
Andrew Barr
1942
Supt. Andrew Standing
1939
Rev. Thatcher
1946
Tartar Chief (Voice) (Uncredited)
1937
Parole Board Chairman
1948
Cameron
1940
John Knox
1936
Chief of Police Bob McManus
1947
Congressman Stone
1948
Dr. Philip Dunlap
1947
House Detective
1945
Caliph Hassan
1944
Senator Hearst
1938
Cardinal De Valle (uncredited)
1934
Mr. Blair
1940
Tim Bagley
1946
R.J. Curran
1935
Dr. John Romer
1941
Jake
1936
Henry Bennett
1945
Major Terry
1940
Fisherman (uncredited)
1938
Brenner
1942
The friar
1939
Commandant
1943
The Fleet Captain
1938
MacDonald
1944
Doc Richards
1940
Dr. Edward Sterling
1936
Sen. Frederici
1944
Juvenal Court Judge
1939
Capt. Burroughs
1945
Pope Leo I
1954
Mr. John Goodwin
1941
Jonathan Forbes
1939
Mr. Courtney
1953
Dr. Humphries
1947
Chester Hart
1936
John Dillon - 1938
1938
Slim Jones
1939
Philip G. Talbot
1941
First Mate Rand Husk
1937
Buck Russell
1939
Don Toland
1947
Bailiff
1939
Porthos
1935
Douglas
1938
Bishop Martin
1946
Judge R.D. Davis
1940
Dr. Ames - Mrs. Smith's psychiatrist
1947
Royal Governor Dunmore
1939
Big Jim Fitts
1948
Judge Henderson
1946
Davis, the bodyguard
1936
Trenton Gateley
1947
Mayor Jim Cargen
1935
Fullerton's Associate (uncredited)
1938
Captain Haines
1939
Dr. Walter Terriss
1941
Missouri
1936
Henry Manston
1951
Kurt Larsen
1938
Detective Danny Shea (uncredited)
1937
Porthos
1952
Cyrus Benton
1936
Speaker Of The House
1952