CINEFILER

Norman Alden

Born
September 13, 1924
Died
July 27, 2012
Norman Alden, born Norman Adelberg on September 13, 1924, was an American character actor who entertained audiences for nearly 50 years with his diverse and memorable performances. Standing at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80m), he possessed a presence that could be both commanding and warm, depending on the role. Alden discovered his passion for acting while attending Texas Christian University, where he participated in on-campus theater productions. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he pursued a career in acting, landing his first television appearance in 1957 on The 20th Century Fox Hour. Throughout his career, Alden amassed an impressive filmography, appearing in dozens of television shows and films. He became known for a wide range of roles, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. Some of his most notable performances include Kranix and Arblus in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), Dr. Linstrom in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), the voice of Kay in The Sword in the Stone (1963), and guest appearances in popular shows like Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and The Twilight Zone. Alden continued to work steadily until his retirement in 2006. He left behind a legacy of diverse and memorable performances, proving his talent as a true character actor.
Known For
Back to the Future
(1985)
Lou
Ed Wood
(1994)
Cameraman Bill (uncredited)
They Live
(1988)
Foreman
The Sword in the Stone
(1963)
Kay (voice)
Ben
(1972)
Policeman
The Transformers: The Movie
(1986)
Kranix (voice)
Tora! Tora! Tora!
(1970)
Major Truman Landon
Borderline
(1980)
Willie Lambert
The Nutty Professor
(1963)
Football Player
Cutting Class
(1989)
Officer Fondulac
The Patsy
(1964)
Bully at the Gym
Semi-Tough
(1977)
Coach Alvin Parks
The Wild Angels
(1966)
Medic
The Devil's Brigade
(1968)
MP Lieutenant
Man's Favorite Sport?
(1964)
John Screaming Eagle
Red Line 7000
(1965)
Pat
Full Filmography
Acting
The Walking Target
(1960)
Sam Russo
Operation Bottleneck
(1961)
Cpl. Lester 'Merc' Davenport
Portrait of a Mobster
(1961)
Bo Wetzel
Secret of Deep Harbor
(1961)
Barney Haines
The Sword in the Stone
(1963)
Kay (voice)
The Nutty Professor
(1963)
Football Player
Man's Favorite Sport?
(1964)
John Screaming Eagle
The Patsy
(1964)
Bully at the Gym
Andy
(1965)
Andy Chadakis
Red Line 7000
(1965)
Pat
The Wild Angels
(1966)
Medic
Good Times
(1967)
Warren
First to Fight
(1967)
Sergeant Schmidtmer
Killers Three
(1968)
Guthrie
Fever Heat
(1968)
Herbert Hupgrove
The Devil's Brigade
(1968)
MP Lieutenant
All the Loving Couples
(1969)
Mitch Burnett
The Pigeon
(1969)
Carl
The Great Bank Robbery
(1969)
The Great Gregory - Balloonist
Tora! Tora! Tora!
(1970)
Major Truman Landon
The Psychiatrist: God Bless the Children
(1970)
Sheriff Glenn
The Trackers
(1971)
Pete Dilworth
Cannon
(1971)
Mitchell
Kansas City Bomber
(1972)
Horrible Hank Hopkins
Ben
(1972)
Policeman
Where Does It Hurt?
(1972)
Katzen
Stand Up and Be Counted
(1972)
Businessman
Cry Panic
(1974)
Doc Potter
Terror on the 40th Floor
(1974)
Capt. Parker
Semi-Tough
(1977)
Coach Alvin Parks
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
(1977)
McPherson
Ring of Passion
(1978)
Max Machon
Samurai
(1979)
Lt. Al DeNisco
No Other Love
(1979)
Les Hollister
Borderline
(1980)
Willie Lambert
Back to the Planet of the Apes
(1980)
Zako
Flamingo Road
(1980)
Pete
Cloud Dancer
(1980)
Dr. Putman
Desperate Lives
(1982)
Coach
Back to the Future
(1985)
Lou
Heart of a Champion: The Ray Mancini Story
(1985)
Ray Arcel
The Transformers: The Movie
(1986)
Kranix (voice)
Sunday Drive
(1986)
Norman
Off the Mark
(1987)
Coach Elam
Destination: America
(1987)
Tom Beller
They Live
(1988)
Foreman
Lady Mobster
(1988)
Sal Borolo
Man Against the Mob
(1988)
Capt. Necker
Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders
(1989)
Chief of Police
Roller Blade Warriors: Taken by Force
(1989)
Bartender
Cutting Class
(1989)
Officer Fondulac
Ed Wood
(1994)
Cameraman Bill (uncredited)
Night of the Wolf
(2002)
Carl Casey
Looking Back at the Future
(2006)
Himself
Looking Back to the Future
(2009)
Self
Production
Data provided by TMDB