From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom London (August 24, 1889 – December 5, 1963) was an American veteran actor who played frequently in B-Westerns. According to The Guinness Book of Movie Records, London is credited with appearing in the most films in the history of Hollywood, this according to the 2001 book Film Facts, where it states that the performer who played in the most films was "Tom London, who made his first of over 2000 appearances in The Great Train Robbery, 1903.
Born Leonard Clapham in Louisville, Kentucky, he got his start in movies as a props man in Chicago, Illinois. His debut was in 1915 in the Western Lone Larry, performing under his own name. In 1925, after having appeared in many silent films, he changed his name to Tom London, and used that name for the rest of his career. The first film in which he was billed under his new name was Winds of Chance, a World War I film, in which he played "Sgt. Rock". London was a trick rider and roper, and used his trick skills in scores of Westerns. In the silent film era he often played villainous roles, while in later years he often appeared as the sidekick to Western stars like Sunset Carson in several films.
One of the busiest character actors, he appeared in over 600 films. London made many guest appearances in television shows through the 1950s, such as The Range Rider, with Jock Mahoney and Dick Jones. He also played Sam, the attendant of Helen Ramirez (Katy Jurado) in High Noon. His last movie was Underworld U.S.A. in 1961, and his final roles on TV were in Lawman and The Dakotas.
London died at his home in North Hollywood at age 81 and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Known For
High Noon
(1952)
Sam (uncredited)
Batman
(1943)
Andrews
All Quiet on the Western Front
(1930)
1st Medic Orderly (uncredited)
Friendly Persuasion
(1956)
Farmer on Front Line with Gard (uncredited)
Captain America
(1944)
Mack
Rancho Notorious
(1952)
Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(1931)
Our Hospitality
(1923)
James Canfield (uncredited)
Man of the West
(1958)
Tom (uncredited)
Northwest Passage
(1940)
Ranger
Riders in the Sky
(1949)
Old Man Robert
Dark Command
(1940)
Messenger
The Ox-Bow Incident
(1943)
Deputy (uncredited)
Jesse James
(1939)
Soldier (uncredited)
Lady for a Day
(1933)
Reception Guest (uncredited)
Western Union
(1941)
Slade Henchman #3
Full Filmography
Acting
Liberty
(1916)
(as Leonard Clapham)
The Purple Mask
(1916)
Robert Jackson, Inventor (as Leonard Clapham)
The Great Air Robbery
(1919)
Undetermined Role (as Leonard Clapham)
The Last of the Duanes
(1919)
(as Leonard Clapham)
The Lone Star Ranger
(1919)
Undetermined Role (as Leonard Clapham)
The Boss of the Rancho
(1919)
King of the Circus
(1920)
The Texas Kid
(1920)
Wolf Tracks
(1920)
Masked
(1920)
'in Wrong' Wright
(1920)
Sheriff
Colorado
(1921)
David Collins (as Leonard Clapham)
The Long Chance
(1922)
John Corbaly (as Leonard Clapham)
Nan of the North
(1922)
Dick Driscoll (as Leonard Clapham)
Our Hospitality
(1923)
James Canfield (uncredited)
To the Last Man
(1923)
Guy
The Call of the Canyon
(1923)
Lee Stanton
The Heritage of the Desert
(1924)
Dave Naab
The Demon Rider
(1925)
Black Hawk
The Cowboy Musketeer
(1925)
Joe Dokes
Border Vengeance
(1925)
Flash Denby
Three in Exile
(1925)
Jed Hawkings
Silent Sheldon
(1925)
Bill Fadden
Code of the Northwest
(1926)
Pvt. Frank Stafford
Desert Greed
(1926)
Ranger (uncredited)
West of the Rainbow's End
(1926)
Harry Palmer
A String of Diamonds
(1926)
Slippery Jack Elmm
Dangerous Traffic
(1926)
Marc Brandon
The Golden Stallion
(1927)
Jules La Roux
The Michigan Kid
(1928)
Minor Role (uncredited)
The Mystery Rider
(1928)
David Manning / The Claw
In Old Arizona
(1928)
Man in Saloon (uncredited)
Chinatown Nights
(1929)
Cop
The Harvest of Hate
(1929)
Martin Trask
Hell's Heroes
(1929)
Croupier (uncredited)
Queen of the Northwoods
(1929)
Garvin / The Wolf-Devil
Borrowed Wives
(1930)
Mac, the Motorcycle Cop
Troopers Three
(1930)
Sgt. Hank Darby
The Woman Racket
(1930)
Hennessy
River's End
(1930)
Mountie
Safety in Numbers
(1930)
Motorist (uncredited)
Westward Bound
(1930)
Dick - Rustler
Sid's Long Count
(1930)
Policeman
All Quiet on the Western Front
(1930)
1st Medic Orderly (uncredited)
Spell of the Circus
(1930)
Butte Morgan
Under Texas Skies
(1930)
Fake Captain Hartford
The Third Alarm
(1930)
Fireman Tom
The Storm
(1930)
Head Mountie
See America Thirst
(1930)
Spumoni Hood (uncredited)
Bar-L Ranch
(1930)
Henchman (uncredited)
Firebrand Jordan
(1930)
Ed Burns
Romance of the West
(1930)
The Secret Six
(1931)
Blackjacking Gangster (uncredited)
The Galloping Ghost
(1931)
Mullins
Range Law
(1931)
Henchman Cleve
The Two Gun Man
(1931)
Lem Tolliver
The Arizona Terror
(1931)
Henchman Chuckawalla
Quick Millions
(1931)
Atlas Newsreel Man (uncredited)
Gun Smoke
(1931)
Hank Bailey
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(1931)
Without Honors
(1932)
'Sholt' Fletcher
Gold
(1932)
Sheriff
The Night Rider
(1932)
Jeff Barton
Manhattan Tower
(1932)
Mechanic (uncredited)
Cock of the Air
(1932)
Military Policeman
Trailing the Killer
(1932)
Sheriff
The Lost Special
(1932)
Dirk / Detective Dane
Beyond the Rockies
(1932)
Kirk Tracy
The Thirteenth Guest
(1932)
Detective Carter (Uncredited)
Honor of the Mounted
(1932)
Henchman
The Boiling Point
(1932)
Pete Mallis - Henchman
Lady for a Day
(1933)
Reception Guest (uncredited)
The Nuisance
(1933)
Kelley's Associate (uncredited)
Sunset Pass
(1933)
Ben
The Wolf Dog
(1933)
Brooks
King of the Jungle
(1933)
Lion Attendant (uncredited)
Gordon of Ghost City
(1933)
Pat Campbell
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
(1933)
Member of Rocci's Mob
The Iron Master
(1933)
Turner
Smoky
(1933)
Horse Trader
Police Car 17
(1933)
Detective (uncredited)
The Big Cage
(1933)
Ship Captain
Perils of Pauline
(1933)
Soldier at American Consulate
The Fugitive
(1933)
Tom
Lone Cowboy
(1933)
Conductor (uncredited)
I'm No Angel
(1933)
Sideshow Spectator (uncredited)
Mystery Ranch
(1934)
Holdup man
St. Louis Woman
(1934)
Lions Coach Ryan
Mystery Mountain
(1934)
Rattler Henchman Morgan
Rawhide Mail
(1934)
Barfly Al
Ferocious Pal
(1934)
Dave Brownell
Baby Take a Bow
(1934)
Man on Train (Uncredited)
Bachelor Bait
(1934)
Detective (uncredited)
Twisted Rails
(1934)
Sheriff James
When Lightning Strikes
(1934)
Wolf
Fighting Fury
(1934)
Chet
The Crime Doctor
(1934)
Detective at Airport Arrest (uncredited)
The Oil Raider
(1934)
Oil Well Driller (uncredited)
Toll of the Desert
(1935)
Sheriff Jackson
Hong Kong Nights
(1935)
Blake
The Miracle Rider
(1935)
Sewell
The Last of the Clintons
(1935)
Luke Todd
Gun Play
(1935)
Meeker
The Cactus Kid
(1935)
Sheriff
Way Down East
(1935)
Town Choir Singer (uncredited)
Skull and Crown
(1935)
Henchman Jennings
Rio Rattler
(1935)
Ranger Bob Adams
The Fighting Marines
(1935)
Miller
The Test
(1935)
Trapper (uncredited)
Courage of the North
(1935)
Mordant
Timber Terrors
(1935)
Burke
The Lawless Nineties
(1936)
Henchman Ward
Guns and Guitars
(1936)
Henchman Connor
The Border Patrolman
(1936)
Johnson
Sworn Enemy
(1936)
Gangster (uncredited)
Avenging Waters
(1936)
Henchman Huffy
Call of the Prairie
(1936)
Dealer
Wildcat Saunders
(1936)
Pete Hawkins
O'Malley of the Mounted
(1936)
Lefty - Henchman
Rio Grande Ranger
(1936)
Henchman Sneed
Heroes of the Range
(1936)
Bud
Springtime in the Rockies
(1937)
Tracy
Secret Valley
(1937)
2nd Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Law of the Ranger
(1937)
Henchman Pete
Bar-Z Bad Men
(1937)
Sig Bostell
Radio Patrol
(1937)
Eddie Lewis
Jungle Menace
(1937)
Detective Interrogating Pete
Sky Racket
(1937)
Agent-Passenger (Car Chase)
The Silver Trail
(1937)
Looney
Angel's Holiday
(1937)
Truck Driver
Roaring Timber
(1937)
Henchman Duke
Blossoms On Broadway
(1937)
Cop (uncredited)
Western Gold
(1937)
Clem
Santa Fe Stampede
(1938)
Marshal Jim Wood
Outlaws of Sonora
(1938)
Sheriff Trask
Prairie Moon
(1938)
Henchman Steve
The Fighting Devil Dogs
(1938)
Henchman Wilson
The Lone Ranger
(1938)
Henchman Felton
Phantom Ranger
(1938)
Reynolds
The Renegade Ranger
(1938)
Henchman Red
Six Shootin' Sheriff
(1938)
Bar X Foreman
Smashing the Rackets
(1938)
Dixon - Detective
Song of the Buckaroo
(1938)
Sheriff Wade
Juvenile Court
(1938)
Policeman at Accident (uncredited)
Riders of the Black Hills
(1938)
Henchman Red Stevens
Pioneer Trail
(1938)
Sam Harden
Black Bandit
(1938)
Southward Ho!
(1939)
Phoney Union Sergeant
Flaming Lead
(1939)
Bart Daggett
Westbound Stage
(1939)
Henchman Parker
The Oregon Trail
(1939)
Pete Cave Henchman
Mandrake the Magician
(1939)
Mill River Inn Henchman
Jesse James
(1939)
Soldier (uncredited)
Made for Each Other
(1939)
Ranger (uncredited)
Let Us Live
(1939)
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Night Riders
(1939)
Rancher Wilson
Allegheny Uprising
(1939)
Settler at McDowell's Mill
Fangs of the Wild
(1939)
Larry Dean
Rollin' Westward
(1939)
Sheriff
Sunset Trail
(1939)
Jake
Lure of the Wasteland
(1939)
Foreman
Mountain Rhythm
(1939)
Deputy Tom
The Man from Texas
(1939)
Henchman Slim
Full Confession
(1939)
Prison Guard (uncredited)
Trailing Double Trouble
(1940)
Henchman Kirk
Shooting High
(1940)
Eph Carson
Phantom Rancher
(1940)
Sheriff Parker
Viva Cisco Kid
(1940)
Town Marshal
The Gay Caballero
(1940)
Man at Fiesta
Roll Wagons Roll
(1940)
Henchman Matt Grimes
The Shadow
(1940)
Hijacked Truck Driver
The Green Hornet Strikes Again!
(1940)
Thug with Explosives
Five Little Peppers at Home
(1940)
Miner
The Ranger and the Lady
(1940)
Independent Freight Wagon Driver
Gaucho Serenade
(1940)
Sheriff Tom Olson
Brigham Young
(1940)
Raider
Boom Town
(1940)
Sheriff Harris (uncredited)
Dark Command
(1940)
Messenger
Wagon Train
(1940)
Henchman Charlie
When the Daltons Rode
(1940)
Lyncher
Deadwood Dick
(1940)
Jake
Winners of the West
(1940)
Henchman Webb
Riders from Nowhere
(1940)
Mason
Wild Horse Range
(1940)
Arnold
Northwest Passage
(1940)
Ranger
Lillian Russell
(1940)
Frank
Melody Ranch
(1940)
Henchman Joe #2
Junior G-Men
(1940)
Kearney - Riot Squad Cop
The Green Archer
(1940)
Detective with Shiner
Ghost Valley Raiders
(1940)
Sheriff
Hi-Yo Silver
(1940)
Felton
Stage to Chino
(1940)
Dolan - Henchman
Bad Man of Deadwood
(1941)
Townsman
Romance of the Rio Grande
(1941)
U. S. Marshal
Riding the Sunset Trail
(1941)
Sheriff Hays
Robbers of the Range
(1941)
Henchman Monk Saunders
Wanderers of the West
(1941)
Montana Sheriff
Forbidden Trails
(1941)
Marshal Tom
Stick to Your Guns
(1941)
Ranch Foreman Waffles
Twilight on the Trail
(1941)
Henchman Gregg
Dude Cowboy
(1941)
Silver City Sheriff
The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance
(1941)
Cop Getting Crane
The Son of Davy Crockett
(1941)
Ranger Logan
The Spider Returns
(1941)
Detective
Fugitive Valley
(1941)
Marshal Warren
The Lone Rider in Frontier Fury
(1941)
Curley - Saloon Henchman
Western Union
(1941)
Slade Henchman #3
Underground Rustlers
(1941)
Henchman Tom Harris
Billy the Kid
(1941)
Leader (uncredited)
Across the Sierras
(1941)
Man on Wagon
Dynamite Canyon
(1941)
Captain Gray
American Empire
(1942)
Rider with Crowder's Posse (uncredited)
Stardust on the Sage
(1942)
Henchman MacGowan
Ghost Town Law
(1942)
Ace, Chief Thug
Down Texas Way
(1942)
Bartender Pete
Spy Smasher
(1942)
Crane
Perils of the Royal Mounted
(1942)
Gaynor
The Valley of Vanishing Men
(1942)
Slater
Land of the Open Range
(1942)
Henchman Tracy Briggs
Arizona Terrors
(1942)
Second Dialogue Tenant-Rancher
Red River Robin Hood
(1942)
Sheriff Del Auston
Lone Star Ranger
(1942)
Henchman (uncredited)
Shadows on the Sage
(1942)
Franklin
Ridin' Down the Canyon
(1942)
Henchman
Sons of the Pioneers
(1942)
Joe #1 - Henchman
Riders of the West
(1942)
Slim - Lanky Henchman
Bandit Ranger
(1942)
Cattle Rustler (uncredited)
The Omaha Trail
(1942)
Oxen Train Bullwhacker
Valley of the Sun
(1942)
Trooper Parker
The Secret Code
(1942)
Weather Bureau Guard
West of Tombstone
(1942)
Morris
Wild Horse Stampede
(1943)
Henchman Lefty
Wagon Tracks West
(1943)
Lem Martin
The Ox-Bow Incident
(1943)
Deputy (uncredited)
Santa Fe Scouts
(1943)
Billy Dawson
The Renegade
(1943)
Pete
Bad Men of Thunder Gap
(1943)
Hank Turner
Hail to the Rangers
(1943)
Jessup
Overland Mail Robbery
(1943)
Sheriff
Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground
(1943)
Henchman Pete
West of Texas
(1943)
Steve Conlon
Silver Spurs
(1943)
Henchman
False Colors
(1943)
Poncho Townsman
Idaho
(1943)
Henchman
Song of Texas
(1943)
Race Official
Bullets and Saddles
(1943)
Marshal (archive footage)
The Woman of the Town
(1943)
Crockett Henchman
Captive Wild Woman
(1943)
Ship's Captain (archive footage)
No Place for a Lady
(1943)
Air Raid Warden (? - ever seen in final cut?)
Batman
(1943)
Andrews
Canyon City
(1943)
Sheriff Slocum
The Yellow Rose of Texas
(1944)
Sheriff Allen
Marshal of Reno
(1944)
Sheriff
San Antonio Kid
(1944)
Long
Stagecoach to Monterey
(1944)
Chester Wade
Call of the Rockies
(1944)
Henchman Hansen
Thoroughbreds
(1944)
Pop
The Fighting Seabees
(1944)
Johnson (uncredited)
Faces in the Fog
(1944)
Auto Court Manager
Vigilantes of Dodge City
(1944)
Denver
Cheyenne Wildcat
(1944)
Harrison Colby
Hidden Valley Outlaws
(1944)
Sheriff McBride
Beneath Western Skies
(1944)
Earl Phillips
Code of the Prairie
(1944)
Henchman Loomis
Firebrands of Arizona
(1944)
Wagon Driver
Sheriff of Sundown
(1944)
Sheriff Tom Carpenter
Silver City Kid
(1944)
Sheriff Gibson
Zorro's Black Whip
(1944)
James Bradley
The Lady and the Monster
(1944)
Man Who Tails Cory (Uncredited)
Captain America
(1944)
Mack
The Girl Who Dared
(1944)
Neilson - Gas Station Owner (uncredited)
Oregon Trail
(1945)
Sheriff Plenner
Federal Operator 99
(1945)
Prof. Crawford
Trail of Kit Carson
(1945)
John Benton
Sheriff of Cimarron
(1945)
Frank Holden
Don't Fence Me In
(1945)
Ben Duncan
Girls of the Big House
(1945)
Sheriff at Alma's Cell
Flame of Barbary Coast
(1945)
Thompson, Townsman in Mob
Earl Carroll Vanities
(1945)
Tom the Doorman
Grissly's Millions
(1945)
Policeman Ralph
Marshal of Laredo
(1945)
Barton
Wagon Wheels Westward
(1945)
Fake Judge James E. Worth
Colorado Pioneers
(1945)
Sand Snipe
The Cherokee Flash
(1945)
Utah
Corpus Christi Bandits
(1945)
Rocky - Henchman
Rough Riders of Cheyenne
(1945)
Sheriff Edwards
Sunset in El Dorado
(1945)
Sheriff Gridley
Sheriff of Redwood Valley
(1946)
Sheriff
King of the Forest Rangers
(1946)
Tom Judson
The Phantom Rider
(1946)
Medicine Man Ceta
Santa Fe Uprising
(1946)
Lafe Dibble
Man from Rainbow Valley
(1946)
Healey
Night Train to Memphis
(1946)
Train Conductor
Passkey to Danger
(1946)
Gerald Bates
The Invisible Informer
(1946)
Eph Shroud
Sun Valley Cyclone
(1946)
Sheriff
Conquest of Cheyenne
(1946)
Sheriff Dan Perkins
California Gold Rush
(1946)
Sheriff Peabody
The Undercover Woman
(1946)
Lem
Alias Billy the Kid
(1946)
Dakota
Days of Buffalo Bill
(1946)
Banty McCabe
Roll on Texas Moon
(1946)
Sheriff Bert Morris
Rio Grande Raiders
(1946)
Sheriff Tom Hammon
Out California Way
(1946)
Johnny
Red River Renegades
(1946)
Pop Underwood
Crime of the Century
(1946)
Dr. Jackson
Marshal of Cripple Creek
(1947)
Baker
Jesse James Rides Again
(1947)
Sam Bolton
Homesteaders of Paradise Valley
(1947)
Rancher
Blackmail
(1947)
Tom - Cashier
Twilight on the Rio Grande
(1947)
U.S. Customs Agent Tom
The Wild Frontier
(1947)
Patrick MacSween
Rustlers of Devil's Canyon
(1947)
The Sheriff
Saddle Pals
(1947)
Dad Gardner
Along the Oregon Trail
(1947)
Wagon Boss
Last Frontier Uprising
(1947)
Skillet (Ranch Hand)
Under Colorado Skies
(1947)
Sheriff Blanchard
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
(1947)
Cop in Squad Car (uncredited)
Mark of the Lash
(1948)
Lem Kimmerly
Marshal of Amarillo
(1948)
Mr. Snodgrass
Riders in the Sky
(1949)
Old Man Robert
San Antone Ambush
(1949)
Bartender Tim
Frontier Investigator
(1949)
Jed
South of Rio
(1949)
Jim Weston
Brand of Fear
(1949)
Marshal Blackjack Flint
Red Desert
(1949)
Colonel
Cody of the Pony Express
(1950)
Doc Laramie
The Old Frontier
(1950)
Banker
The Blazing Sun
(1950)
Tom Ellis
Rough Riders of Durango
(1951)
Rancher Evans
The Secret of Convict Lake
(1951)
Jerry - Posse Member (uncredited)
Blue Canadian Rockies
(1952)
Pop Phillips
High Noon
(1952)
Sam (uncredited)
Trail Guide
(1952)
Old Timer
Apache Country
(1952)
Patches - Stage Driver (uncredited)
Rancho Notorious
(1952)
Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
The Old West
(1952)
Chadwick (uncredited)
Pack Train
(1953)
Dan Coleman
Friendly Persuasion
(1956)
Farmer on Front Line with Gard (uncredited)
Quincannon, Frontier Scout
(1956)
Livery Stableman (uncredited)
The Tall Stranger
(1957)
Domino Kid
(1957)
The Sheepman
(1958)
Shopkeeper (uncredited)
Money, Women and Guns
(1958)
Old Prospector (uncredited)
Man of the West
(1958)
Tom (uncredited)
Lone Texan
(1959)
Old Dan (uncredited)
Let No Man Write My Epitaph
(1960)
Bum at Bar (uncredited)
13 West Street
(1962)
Prisoner (uncredited)
Spy Smasher Returns
(1966)
Crane