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Victor Potel (October 12, 1889 – March 8, 1947) was an American film character actor who began in the silent era and appeared in over 430 films in his 38-year career.
Victor Potel was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1889, and his acting career goes back almost to the beginning of the commercial film industry in the United States. He made his first silent film in 1910, a comedy short filmed in Chicago by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company called A Dog on Business. Potel continued to make films for Essanay, appearing in dozens of films every year, including most of the Broncho Billy series, and played a character called "Slippery Slim" in 80 movies. He also appeared in Universal Pictures' "Snakeville" series.
Potel's first talking picture was Melody of Love, starring Walter Pidgeon, made for Universal in 1928. and in the sound era he continued to work continuously and constantly, playing small parts and sometimes uncredited bit parts, all primarily comic roles due to his height (6 ft 1 in or 1.85 m) and gawkiness.
In addition to acting, on several occasions Potel also wrote and directed. In the 1920s he directed two silent shorts, The Rubber-Neck in 1924 and Action Craver in 1927, and contributed the story for Saxophobia in 1927. In the following decade, in the sound era, he was the dialogue director for The Big Chance (1933), and wrote the story for Inside Information in 1934). In 1935 he provided continuity and dialogue for Million Dollar Haul and the screenplay for Hot Off the Press. In the 1940s, Potel was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in nine films written and directed by Sturges.
Potel continued to work right up until his death on 8 March 1947. The final film he worked on, Relentless finished filming on 28 February of that year.
Known For
Sullivan's Travels
(1941)
Cameraman
Fury
(1936)
Jorgeson (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
(1941)
Second Steward (uncredited)
The Palm Beach Story
(1942)
Mr. McKeewie
Ruggles of Red Gap
(1935)
Curly - Cowboy
Full Filmography
Acting
A Dog on Business
(1910)
Hank and Lank: Joyriding
(1910)
Lank
The Tout's Remembrance
(1910)
Hank and Lank: They Dude Up Some
(1910)
Lank
Patricia of the Plains
(1910)
The Bearded Bandit
(1910)
Hank and Lank: They Get Wise to a New Scheme
(1910)
Lank
A Cowboy's Mother-in-Law
(1910)
Hank and Lank: Uninvited Guests
(1910)
Lank
The Silent Message
(1910)
A Westerner's Way
(1910)
Hank and Lank: Lifesavers
(1910)
Lank
Hank and Lank: As Sandwich Men
(1910)
Lank
Circle C Ranch's Wedding Present
(1910)
A Cowboy's Vindication
(1910)
The Tenderfoot Messenger
(1910)
Hank and Lank: Blind Men
(1910)
Lank
The Bad Man's Christmas Gift
(1910)
Broncho Billy's Christmas Dinner
(1911)
Broncho Billy's Adventure
(1911)
Cowboy
Alkali Ike's Auto
(1911)
The Count and the Cowboys
(1911)
The Count
The Border Ranger
(1911)
The Two Reformations
(1911)
Hank and Lank: They Make a Mash
(1911)
Lank
The Bad Man's Downfall
(1911)
Across the Plains
(1911)
The Sheriff's Chum
(1911)
The Indian Maiden's Lesson
(1911)
The Bunco Game at Lizardhead
(1911)
The Puncher's New Love
(1911)
The Infant at Snakeville
(1911)
A Hungry Pair
(1911)
Skinny
The Corporation and the Ranch Girl
(1911)
The Two Fugitives
(1911)
Broncho Bill's Last Spree
(1911)
Slippery Slim
The Strike at the Little Jonny Mine
(1911)
Town Hall, Tonight
(1911)
The Tall Schultz Brother
The Forester's Plea
(1911)
The Loafer
(1912)
Broncho Billy's Narrow Escape
(1912)
Alkali Ike Bests Broncho Billy
(1912)
Alkali Ike's Pants
(1912)
A Child of the West
(1912)
The Tenderfoot Foreman
(1912)
Widow Jenkins' Admirers
(1912)
The Oath of His Office
(1912)
The Prospector's Legacy
(1912)
The Biter Bitten
(1912)
The Ranch Girl's Mistake
(1912)
On the Cactus Trail
(1912)
A Story of Montana
(1912)
Broncho Billy's Pal
(1912)
Alkali Ike Plays the Devil
(1912)
Broncho Billy for Sheriff
(1912)
An Indian Sunbeam
(1912)
A Cowboy
Alkali Ike Stung!
(1912)
An Indian's Friendship
(1912)
Alkali Ike's Close Shave
(1912)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy's Mexican Wife
(1912)
Broncho Billy's Promise
(1912)
The Tomboy on Bar Z
(1912)
Broncho Billy and the Schoolmistress
(1912)
Why Broncho Billy Left Bear County
(1913)
The Druggist
Broncho Billy and the Western Girls
(1913)
Outlaw
The Making of Broncho Billy
(1913)
Alkali Ike and the Wildman
(1913)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy's First Arrest
(1913)
Broncho Billy Reforms
(1913)
A Thief
Broncho Billy's Squareness
(1913)
Broncho Billy's Gun Play
(1913)
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Kid
(1913)
Jailer
Broncho Billy and the Squatter's Daughter
(1913)
Broncho Billy's Gratefulness
(1913)
Dr. Huff
The Accusation of Broncho Billy
(1913)
Alkali Ike's Homecoming
(1913)
Slippery Slim
Alkali Ike's Misfortunes
(1913)
Slippery Slim
Alkali Ike and the Hypnotist
(1913)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy's Oath
(1913)
The Three Gamblers
(1913)
Sophie's New Foreman
(1913)
Slippery Slim
The Last Laugh
(1913)
Sophie's Hero
(1913)
Slippery Slim
A Romance of the Hills
(1913)
That Pair from Thespia
(1913)
Second Actor
A Snakeville Courtship
(1913)
Slippery Slim
The Good-for-Nothing
(1914)
Old Clerk
Sophie's Sweetheart
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Snakeville's Blind Pig
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Slippery Slim Gets Square
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office
(1914)
Snakeville's Rising Sons
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy and the Red Man
(1914)
Broncho Billy and the Bad Man
(1914)
The Storekeeper
Broncho Billy-Guardian
(1914)
Snakeville's New Doctor
(1914)
Slippery Slim
A Night on the Road
(1914)
Sheriff's Assistant
A Gamblers' Way
(1914)
The Bartender
What Came to Bar Q
(1914)
Bartender
Broncho Billy's Sermon
(1914)
The Sheriff
Broncho Billy's Leap
(1914)
Broncho Billy and the Mine Shark
(1914)
The Hotel Clerk
Sophie Starts Something
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Sophie Pulls a Good One
(1914)
Slippery Slim
The Snakeville Volunteer
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Pie for Sophie
(1914)
Snicklefritz
The Wooing of Sophie
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Sophie Finds a Hero
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Sophie Gets Stung
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Snakeville's New Waitress
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy Wins Out
(1914)
The School Trustee
Broncho Billy's Wild Ride
(1914)
Broncho Billy, the Vagabond
(1914)
Broncho Billy, a Friend in Need
(1914)
Slippery Slim -- Diplomat
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Slippery Slim Gets Cured
(1914)
Slippery Slim
When Slippery Slim Met the Champion
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Snakeville's Peace-Maker
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Broncho Billy Rewarded
(1914)
The Hotel Proprietor
Slippery Slim, The Mortgage and Sophie
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Snakeville and the Corset Demonstrator
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Slippery Slim and the Impersonator
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Sophie and the Man of Her Choice
(1914)
Slippery Slim
A Horse on Sophie
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Sophie's Fatal Wedding
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Snakeville's Reform Wave
(1914)
Slippery Slim
Versus Sledge Hammers
(1915)
The Count
His Regeneration
(1915)
Pawn Shop Clerk
Broncho Billy and the Sisters
(1915)
The Minister
Slim the Brave and Sophie the Fair
(1915)
Slippery Slim
Sophie's Home-Coming
(1915)
Slippery Slim
When Slippery Slim Went for the Eggs
(1915)
Slippery Slim
The Battle of Snakeville
(1915)
Slippery Slim
Sentimental Sophie
(1915)
Slippery Slim
When Slippery Slim Bought the Cheese
(1915)
Slippery Slim
Ingomar of the Hills
(1915)
Broncho Billy and the Vigilante
(1915)
A Cattle Owner
The Revenue Agent
(1915)
The Minister
The Bachelor's Burglar
(1915)
Broncho Billy and the Land Grabber
(1915)
Broncho Billy Steps In
(1915)
Broncho Billy and the Card Sharp
(1915)
Just a Few Little Things
(1916)
Archie
What Darwin Missed
(1916)
Professor Alonzo Bozzle
Hearts and Saddles
(1917)
Baseball Madness
(1917)
Who's Your Father?
(1918)
Comedy Role
A Petal on the Current
(1919)
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
(1919)
Captain Kidd, Jr.
(1919)
Constable Sam
Full of Pep
(1919)
Beanpole
Water, Water, Everywhere
(1920)
Steve Brainard
Billions
(1920)
Pushkin
The Heart of a Child
(1920)
Charley Peastone
One a Minute
(1921)
Jingo Pitts
Lavender and Old Lace
(1921)
Joe Pendleton
Bob Hampton of Placer
(1921)
Willie McNeil
At the Sign of the Jack'O Lantern
(1922)
The Poet
Quincy Adams Sawyer
(1922)
Hiram Maxwell
A Tailor-Made Man
(1922)
Peter
Step on It!
(1922)
Noisy Johnson
The Loaded Door
(1922)
Slim
Reno
(1923)
Detective McRae
Below the Line
(1925)
'Cuckoo' Niles
Ten Days
(1925)
The Lodge in the Wilderness
(1926)
Racing Romance
(1926)
Constable
Morganson's Finish
(1926)
Ole Jensen
Uneasy Payments
(1927)
Press Agent
Captain Swagger
(1928)
Jean
Melody of Love
(1928)
The Gawk
The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come
(1928)
Tom Turner
The Virginian
(1929)
Nebrasky
Border Romance
(1929)
Slim
The Virtuous Sin
(1930)
Sentry
Doughboys
(1930)
Svendenburg
Paradise Island
(1930)
Swede
The Bad One
(1930)
Sailor
Call of the West
(1930)
Trig Peters
Forward, March!
(1930)
King of the Wild
(1931)
Peterson
The Squaw Man
(1931)
Andy
Selling Shorts
(1931)
Slim Bassil
Scandal Sheet
(1931)
Reporter
Ten Cents a Dance
(1931)
Smith, a Sailor
Partners
(1932)
Deputy Lem
Damaged Lives
(1933)
Undetermined Role
Face in the Sky
(1933)
Ed Burns, Carnival Patron (uncredited)
Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
(1933)
The General
Frontier Days
(1934)
Deputy Tex Hatch
Thunder Over Texas
(1934)
Dick
Inside Information
(1934)
Rice - Thin Detective
Twisted Rails
(1934)
Tom Watson
Big Boy Rides Again
(1935)
Ranch Foreman Scarface
The Adventures of Rex and Rinty
(1935)
Kinso
The Last of the Clintons
(1935)
Jed Clinton
Gun Play
(1935)
Brawler (uncredited)
The Cowboy and the Bandit
(1935)
Lanky
Western Frontier
(1935)
Slim
Whispering Smith Speaks
(1935)
Bill Prouty
Moonlight on the Prairie
(1935)
Tall Saloon Cowboy
Waterfront Lady
(1935)
Alex
Ruggles of Red Gap
(1935)
Curly - Cowboy
Shipmates Forever
(1935)
Loafer (uncredited)
She Couldn't Take It
(1935)
Farmer
The Fighting Marines
(1935)
Fake Native Chief [Ch. 12]
The Drunkard
(1935)
Farmer Gates
Mississippi
(1935)
Guest
Three Godfathers
(1936)
'Buck Tooth'
Down to the Sea
(1936)
Andy
Yellow Dust
(1936)
Jugger - the Bartender
Fury
(1936)
Jorgeson (uncredited)
Song of the Saddle
(1936)
Little Casino
Man Hunt
(1936)
Townsman Pointing Out Shefiff's Office (uncredited)
The Captain's Kid
(1936)
Deputy Jake Hutchinson
O'Malley of the Mounted
(1936)
Gabby - the Cook
The Broken Coin
(1936)
God's Country and the Woman
(1937)
Turpentine
Small Town Boy
(1937)
Abner Towner
Two Gun Law
(1937)
Cassius
White Bondage
(1937)
Luke Stacey
Western Gold
(1937)
Jasper
Adventure's End
(1937)
Tall Sailor (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
(1938)
Lem - Stagecoach Driver
On the Great White Trail
(1938)
Lyons
The Strange Case of Dr. Meade
(1938)
Steve
Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence
(1939)
Ranch Hand
Hollywood Cavalcade
(1939)
Slim
Stand Up and Fight
(1939)
Coach Driver
Let Freedom Ring
(1939)
Ole Swensen (uncredited)
Down the Wyoming Trail
(1939)
Slim
Second Fiddle
(1939)
Steve - Crane Operator
The Housekeeper's Daughter
(1939)
Suspect
Blondie Brings Up Baby
(1939)
Lars (uncredited)
Slightly Honorable
(1939)
Gasoline Station Proprietor (Uncredited)
Rovin' Tumbleweeds
(1939)
Man in Store
Chip of the Flying U
(1939)
Station Agent
Christmas in July
(1940)
Davenola Salesman
The Villain Still Pursued Her
(1940)
Policeman (uncredited)
Young Tom Edison
(1940)
Mr. Tompkins
Trail of the Vigilantes
(1940)
Conductor
The Great McGinty
(1940)
Cook (uncredited)
Li'l Abner
(1940)
Fantastic Brown
Three Faces West
(1940)
Postman
Girl from God's Country
(1940)
Barber
Sullivan's Travels
(1941)
Cameraman
The Lady Eve
(1941)
Second Steward (uncredited)
The Lady from Cheyenne
(1941)
Lem
Ride on Vaquero
(1941)
Ole
Pot o' Gold
(1941)
Olaf Svenson (uncredited)
The Palm Beach Story
(1942)
Mr. McKeewie
The Man in the Trunk
(1942)
Deaf Floor Man (uncredited)
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek
(1943)
Newspaper Editor
Wagon Wheels West
(1943)
Posse Rider (uncredited)
The Good Fellows
(1943)
Branders (uncredited)
The Great Moment
(1944)
First Dental Patient
It Happened Tomorrow
(1944)
Flame of Barbary Coast
(1945)
Train Fireman
Rhythm Round-Up
(1945)
Slim Jensen
A Medal for Benny
(1945)
Pantera Pepster Club Member (uncredited)
The Glass Alibi
(1946)
Gas Attendant (as Vic Potel)
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
(1947)
Prof. Potelle
The Egg and I
(1947)
Crowbar
The Devil Thumbs a Ride
(1947)
Writing