Born: February 18, 1890 – Died: April 26, 1956
Edward Arnold, born as Gunther Edward Arnold Schneider in 1890 on the Lower East Side of New York City, was the son of German immigrants, Elizabeth (Ohse) and Carl Schneider. He kickstarted his acting journey on the New York stage and transitioned to the world of film in 1916. With his imposing presence and a commanding baritone voice, Arnold became a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. He graced the silver screen in over 150 films, leaving an indelible mark. Notably, he portrayed Anthony P. Kirby in "You Can't Take It with You" and Jim Taylor in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington His influence extended beyond acting, as he also served as President of The Screen Actors Guild before his death in 1956.
Edward Arnold's childhood was shaped by the bustling streets of the Lower East Side of New York City, where he was born. Growing up in a diverse and vibrant neighborhood, he developed a strong work ethic from an early age.
After completing his education, Arnold embarked on his acting journey on the New York stage, honing his craft in the heart of the theater world. His dedication and talent caught the attention of filmmakers, leading to his debut in the world of cinema in 1916.
Arnold's first professional role marked the beginning of his prolific career in film, and he quickly became a sought-after actor due to his imposing presence and remarkable baritone voice. However, it was his role as Anthony P. Kirby in You Can't Take It with You and Jim Taylor in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" that catapulted him to stardom. These performances not only showcased his acting prowess but also earned him critical acclaim and set the stage for a string of successful projects.
Throughout his career, Edward Arnold received several awards, including recognition for his outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry. His personal life included a marriage to Cleo Arnold, which lasted from October 7, 1951, until his passing in 1956. They had a son together, Edward Arnold Jr.
Beyond his acting talent, Edward Arnold was known for his philanthropic endeavors, contributing to various charitable causes. His impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry was significant, and he is remembered as a legendary figure who left an enduring legacy. His iconic baritone voice and commanding presence made him stand out in the world of film and theater, solidifying his status as an enduring Hollywood icon.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Strange Stories (TV Series) | Host (1956) |
| 1956 | Ethel Barrymore Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | Miami Exposé | Oliver Tubbs |
| 1956 | The Ambassador's Daughter | Ambassador William Fisk |
| 1956 | Celebrity Playhouse (TV Series) | Congressman Holman |
| 1956 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Ben Harvey |
| 1956 | The Houston Story | Paul Atlas |
| 1952–1955 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Warden Delaney | Mr. Carr | Mr. Evans |
| 1955 | The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | Climax! (TV Series) | Lieutenant Shipley | Jock Fathian |
| 1955 | Story of Paul Harris and the Founding of Rotary International (TV Movie) | Paul P. Harris |
| 1954 | You Are There (TV Series) | John Sutter |
| 1954 | Studio One (TV Series) | Juror #10 |
| 1954 | Living It Up | The Mayor |
| 1953–1954 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | John Prescott | Mayor Underwood |
| 1953 | Man of Conflict | J.R. Compton |
| 1953 | City That Never Sleeps | Penrod Biddel |
| 1952 | Ellis in Freedomland | The Range (voice) |
| 1952 | Hollywood Opening Night (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Belles on Their Toes | Sam Harper |
| 1951 | Dear Brat | Senator Wilkins |
| 1950 | Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (TV Series) | Stage Manager |
| 1950 | The Skipper Surprised His Wife | Adm. Homer Thorndyke |
| 1950 | Annie Get Your Gun | Pawnee Bill |
| 1950 | The Yellow Cab Man | Martin Creavy |
| 1949 | Dear Wife | Judge Harry Wilkins |
| 1949 | Big Jack | Mayor Mahoney |
| 1949 | Take Me Out to the Ball Game | Joe Lorgan |
| 1949 | John Loves Mary | Sen. James McKinley |
| 1948 | Command Decision | Congressman Arthur Malcolm |
| 1948 | Wallflower | Andrew J. Linnett |
| 1948 | Big City | Judge Martin O. Abercrombie |
| 1948 | Three Daring Daughters | Robert Nelson |
| 1947 | The Hucksters | Dave Lash |
| 1947 | Dear Ruth | Judge Harry Wilkins |
| 1947 | My Brother Talks to Horses | Mr. Bledsoe |
| 1947 | The Mighty McGurk | Mike Glenson |
| 1946 | No Leave, No Love | Hobart Canford Stiles |
| 1946 | Three Wise Fools | Theodore Findley |
| 1946 | Janie Gets Married | Charles Conway |
| 1945 | Week-End at the Waldorf | Martin X. Edley |
| 1945 | The Hidden Eye | Capt. Duncan Maclain |
| 1945 | Ziegfeld Follies | Lawyer ('Pay the Two Dollars') |
| 1945 | Main Street After Dark | Lt. Lorrgan |
| 1944 | Mrs. Parkington | Amory Stilham |
| 1944 | Kismet | The Grand Vizier |
| 1944 | Janie | Charles Conway |
| 1944 | Standing Room Only | T. J. Todd |
| 1943 | Inflation (Short) | The Devil |
| 1943 | The Youngest Profession | Burton V. Lyons |
| 1942 | Eyes in the Night | Duncan Maclain |
| 1942 | The War Against Mrs. Hadley | Elliott Fulton |
| 1941 | Design for Scandal | Judson M. Blair |
| 1941 | Johnny Eager | John Benson Farrell |
| 1941 | Unholy Partners | Merrill Lambert |
| 1941 | All That Money Can Buy | Daniel Webster |
| 1941 | Nothing But the Truth | T. T. Ralston |
| 1941 | The Lady from Cheyenne | James 'Jim' Cork |
| 1941 | The Penalty | Martin 'Stuff' Nelson |
| 1941 | Meet John Doe | D.B. Norton |
| 1940 | Lillian Russell | Diamond Jim Brady |
| 1940 | Johnny Apollo | Robert Cain Sr. |
| 1940 | The Earl of Chicago | 'Doc' Ramsey |
| 1939 | Slightly Honorable | Vincent Cushing |
| 1939 | *Mr. Smith Goes To Washington* | Jim Taylor |
| 1939 | Man About Town | Sir John Arlington |
| 1939 | Let Freedom Ring | Jim Knox |
| 1939 | Idiot's Delight | Achille Weber |
| 1938 | *You Can't Take It with You* | Anthony P. Kirby |
| 1938 | The Crowd Roars | Jim Cain |
| 1937 | Blossoms on Broadway | Ira Collins |
| 1937 | The Toast of New York | Jim Fisk |
| 1937 | Easy Living | J.B. Ball |
| 1937 | John Meade's Woman | John Meade |
| 1936 | Come and Get It | Barney Glasgow |
| 1936 | Meet Nero Wolfe | Nero Wolfe |
| 1936 | Sutter's Gold | Johan (John) Sutter |
| 1935 | Crime and Punishment | Insp. Porfiry |
| 1935 | Remember Last Night? | Danny Harrison |
| 1935 | Diamond Jim | Diamond Jim Brady |
| 1935 | The Glass Key | Paul Madvig |
| 1935 | Cardinal Richelieu | Louis XIII |
| 1935 | Biography of a Bachelor Girl | Mr. 'Feydie' Feydak |
| 1934 | The President Vanishes | Secretary of War Lewis Wardell |
| 1934 | Wednesday's Child | Ray Phillips |
| 1934 | Million Dollar Ransom | Vincent Shelton |
| 1934 | Hide-Out | Det. Lt. 'Mac' MacCarthy |
| 1934 | Thirty Day Princess | Richard M. Gresham |
| 1934 | Sadie McKee | Brennan |
| 1934 | Unknown Blonde | Frank Rodie |
| 1934 | Madame Spy | Schultz |
| 1933 | Roman Scandals | Emperor Valerius |
| 1933 | I'm No Angel | Big Bill Barton |
| 1933 | Her Bodyguard | Orson Bitzer |
| 1933 | Secret of the Blue Room | Commissioner Forster |
| 1933 | Jennie Gerhardt | Sen. Brander |
| 1933 | The Life of Jimmy Dolan | Police Inspector Ennis (uncredited) |
| 1933 | The Barbarian | Pasha Achmed |
| 1933 | The White Sister | Father Saracinesca |
| 1933 | Whistling in the Dark | Jake Dillon |
| 1932 | Free to Talk | Unknown |
| 1932 | Rasputin and the Empress | Doctor Remezov |
| 1932 | Afraid to Talk | Jig Skelli |
| 1932 | Three on a Match | Ace |
| 1932 | Okay America! | Duke Morgan |
| 1932 | Murder in the Pullman (Short) | Nick Valentine |
| 1920 | The Cost | Hampden Scarborough (as Ed Arnold) |
| 1919 | A Broadway Saint | Mr. Frewen |
| 1919 | Phil-for-Short | Tom Wentworth |
| 1917 | The Slacker's Heart | Frank Allen |
| 1917 | Be My Best Man (Short) | Grant Carver |
| 1917 | Pass the Hash, Ann (Short) | Jack Channon |
| 1917 | Meddling with Marriage (Short) | Fred Ransom |
| 1917 | The Wifeless Husband (Short) | Milton Booth |
| 1917 | The Pallid Dawn (Short) | Ralph Goodwin |
| 1917 | The Pulse of Madness (Short) | Wesley Westbrook |
| 1917 | The Vanishing Woman (Short) | Conrad Carson |
| 1917 | The Extravagant Bride (Short) | John Allison |
| 1917 | Ashes on the Hearthstone (Short) | Carl Dixon |
| 1917 | The Lighted Lamp (Short) | Sam Leiter |
| 1917 | Desertion and Non-Support (Short) | Charles Hayward |
| 1917 | Shifting Shadows (Short) | John Sanderson |
| 1917 | The Magic Mirror (Short) | James Delmore |
| 1917 | The Sinful Marriage (Short) | Dr. Roderick Tredmore |
| 1917 | The Wide, Wrong Way (Short) | Hugh Chilvers |
| 1917 | When the Man Speaks (Short) | James Gordon |
| 1916 | Wife in Sunshine (Short) | Edward Morrison |
| 1916 | Dancing with Folly (Short) | Enoch Drummond |
| 1916 | The Burning Band (Short) | William Conklin |
| 1916 | The Border Line (Short) | Dick Grant |
| 1916 | His Moral Code (Short) | Dr. Armstrong |
| 1916 | The Heart of Virginia Keep (Short) | Arnold Dempster Trude |
| 1916 | Marooned (Short) | John Prentiss |
| 1916 | The Return of Eve | Seymour Purchwell |
| 1916 | The Greater Obligation (Short) | Roger Willard |
| 1916 | The Higher Destiny (Short) | John Standing |
| 1916 | A Traitor to Art (Short) | Arthur Synott |
| 1916 | Sherlock Holmes | Moriarty Henchman In Striped Cap (uncredited) |
| 1916 | A Return to Youth and Trouble (Short) | Mr. Wyck |
| 1916 | The Danger Line (Short) | John Herriman |
| 1916 | The Last Adventure (Short) | Arnold Burton |
| 1916 | I Will Repay (Short) | John Shandon - Virginia's Admirer |
| 1916 | The Despoiler (Short) | Richard Warner |
| 1916 | Vultures of Society | Joseph Gripp |
| 1916 | The Primitive Strain (Short) | John Harris - a Minister |
| 1916 | The Strange Case of Mary Page | Dr. Foster [Ch. 5] |
| 1916 | The White Alley (Short) | Campbell Crosby - Arnold's Cousin and Attorney |
| 1916 | The Misleading Lady | Sidney Parker |
