Douglas Spencer
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 10, 1910
- Died
- October 6, 1960 (aged 50)
- Birthplace
- Princeton, Illinois, USA
Biography
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.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
Movie · as The Monitor of Metaluna (archive footage)
The Sins of Rachel Cade
Movie · as Doctor Bikel
The Diary of Anne Frank
Movie · as Kraler
The Twilight Zone
TV · as 1st Martian · 1 ep
The Rebel
TV · as Joe Shandell · 1 ep
Bonanza
TV · as Alonzo McFadden · 1 ep
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
Movie · as Marshal Fred Woodruff
Saddle the Wind
Movie · as Hemp Scribner
The Rifleman
TV · 1 ep
The Three Faces of Eve
Movie · as Mr. Black
Short Cut to Hell
Movie · as Train Conductor
Omar Khayyam
Movie · as Pigeon Keeper
The Unholy Wife
Movie · as Judge
Pardners
Movie · as Smith
Man from Del Rio
Movie · as Sheriff Jack Tillman
Wire Service
TV · as Mason · 1 ep
This Island Earth
Movie · as The Monitor of Metaluna
Smoke Signal
Movie · as Garode
A Man Alone
Movie · as Henry Slocum
The Kentuckian
Movie · as Frome Brother (uncredited)
Cheyenne
TV · 1 ep
The Millionaire
TV · as Joe Brock · 1 ep
River of No Return
Movie · as Sam Benson
The Raid
Movie · as Rev. Douglas
Studio 57
TV · 1 ep
Shane
Movie · as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
The Glass Wall
Movie · as Inspector Bailey
Houdini
Movie · as Simms
She's Back on Broadway
Movie · as Lew Ludlow
Trouble Along the Way
Movie · as Father Procurator aka George
Monkey Business
Movie · as Dr. Brunner
Untamed Frontier
Movie · as Clayton Vance
Something to Live For
Movie · as Joey (uncredited)
The Thing from Another World
Movie · as Ned 'Scotty' Scott
The Redhead and the Cowboy
Movie · as Perry (Union agent)
A Place in the Sun
Movie · as Boatkeeper (uncredited)
Warpath
Movie · as Kelso
Come Fill the Cup
Movie · as Ike Bashaw
Father of the Bride
Movie · as Fritz the Organist (uncredited)
Union Station
Movie · as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
TV · as Jonas · 1 ep
Follow Me Quietly
Movie · as Phony Judge
It Happens Every Spring
Movie · as Train Conductor (uncredited)
Bride of Vengeance
Movie · as False Physician
Trapped
Movie · as Sam Hooker (uncredited)
The Heiress
Movie · as Minister (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue
Movie · as Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)
Alias Nick Beal
Movie · as Henry T. Finch
My Friend Irma
Movie · as Interior Decorator (uncredited)
The Great Dan Patch
Movie · as Boswell County Fair Racing Official (uncredited)
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
Movie · as Dr. Ramsdell
The Big Clock
Movie · as Bert Finch
The Sainted Sisters
Movie · as Townsman (uncredited)
Adventure Island
Movie · as Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)
The Dark Corner
Movie · as Deli Customer (uncredited)
The Lost Weekend
Movie · as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
Incendiary Blonde
Movie · as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)
Kitty
Movie · as Guest (uncredited)
Double Indemnity
Movie · as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
Princess O'Rourke
Movie · as Pilot (uncredited)
Fall In
Movie · as Military Policeman
A Date with the Falcon
Movie · as Witness at Accident (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
Movie · as Hotel Guest
Lady Scarface
Movie · as Police Secretary
Million Dollar Baby
Movie
Christmas in July
Movie · as Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)
Little Nellie Kelly
Movie · as Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)
Men Against the Sky
Movie · as Mechanic
Lucky Partners
Movie · as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Allegheny Uprising
Movie · as Prisoner in Irons
The Day the Bookies Wept
Movie · as Auction Spectator (uncredited)