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