Ben Welden

Character actor of distinctly American persona who nevertheless made several films in Britain before returning to the U.S. to carve out a career as a familiar face in American movies. Short, bald and built like a tank with a streetwise character and a Damon Runyan accent, Welden played countless gangsters and smalltime hoods, often with a comic aspect. He was the henchman who beat the snot out of 'Bette Davis' (qv) in _Marked Woman (1937)_ (qv) and gunned down 'Elia Kazan' (qv) in _City for Conquest (1940)_ (qv), and made numerous appearances as crooks on _Adventures of Superman (1952)_ (qv). As a sideline, he owned Nutcorn, a popular Beverly Hills confectionery. He retired from acting in his sixties.::Jim Beaver <[email protected]>