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