Tom London
AKA: Len Clapham
Birthday: 1889-08-23
Died: 1963-12-05
Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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.
Filmography
Character: Rider with Crowder's Posse (uncredited)
Character: Blackjacking Gangster (uncredited)
Character: Reception Guest (uncredited)
Character: Farmer on Front Line with Gard (uncredited)
Character: Marshal Jim Wood
Character: 'Sholt' Fletcher
Character: Kelley's Associate (uncredited)
Character: Phoney Union Sergeant
Character: Henchman Connor
Character: Mechanic (uncredited)
Character: Henchman MacGowan
Character: Mac, the Motorcycle Cop
Character: Sheriff Plenner
Character: Sheriff Jackson
Character: Ace, Chief Thug
Character: Bartender Pete
Character: Old Man Robert
Character: Lions Coach Ryan
Character: Prof. Crawford
Character: 2nd Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Steve
Character: Sgt. Hank Darby
Character: Medicine Man Ceta
Character: Henchman Wilson
Character: Henchman Felton
Character: Sheriff Parker
Character: Henchman Chuckawalla
Character: Henchman Cleve
Character: Rattler Henchman Morgan
Character: Henchman Lefty
Character: Military Policeman
Character: Minor Role (uncredited)
Character: Dirk / Detective Dane
Character: Motorist (uncredited)
Character: Dick - Rustler
Character: Dixon - Detective
Character: Henchman Parker
Character: Town Choir Singer (uncredited)
Character: Lion Attendant (uncredited)
Character: Gangster (uncredited)
Character: Pete Cave Henchman
Character: Henchman Huffy
Character: Mill River Inn Henchman
Character: Henchman Tracy Briggs
Character: Soldier (uncredited)
Character: Ranger (uncredited)
Character: Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Character: Rancher Wilson
Character: Settler at McDowell's Mill
Character: Member of Rocci's Mob
Character: Detective Interrogating Pete
Character: Henchman Matt Grimes
Character: Henchman Monk Saunders
Character: Deputy (uncredited)
Character: Hijacked Truck Driver
Character: Thug with Explosives
Character: James Canfield (uncredited)
Character: Sam (uncredited)
Character: Independent Freight Wagon Driver
Character: Sheriff Tom Olson
Character: Sheriff Harris (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Charlie
Character: Montana Sheriff
Character: Henchman Hansen
Character: Ranch Foreman Waffles
Character: Henchman Gregg
Character: Atlas Newsreel Man (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Joe #2
Character: Kearney - Riot Squad Cop (uncredited)
Character: Detective with Shiner
Character: Silver City Sheriff
Character: U.S. Customs Agent Tom
Character: Train Conductor
Character: Sheriff at Alma's Cell
Character: Thompson, Townsman in Mob
Character: Tom the Doorman
Character: Policeman Ralph
Character: Auto Court Manager
Character: Johnson (uncredited)
Character: Harrison Colby
Character: Patrick MacSween
Character: Fake Judge James E. Worth
Character: Sheriff Peabody
Character: Sheriff Dan Perkins
Character: Policeman at Accident (uncredited)
Character: Cop Getting Crane
Character: Marshal Warren
Character: Curley - Saloon Henchman
Character: Second Dialogue Tenant-Rancher
Character: Sheriff Del Auston
Character: Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Sheriff McBride
Character: Henchman Loomis
Character: Sheriff Tom Carpenter
Character: Sheriff Gibson
Character: Rocky - Henchman
Character: Sheriff Edwards
Character: Sheriff Gridley
Character: Sheriff Tom Hammon
Character: Sheriff Bert Morris
Character: Skillet (Ranch Hand)
Character: Agent-Passenger (Car Chase)
Character: Sheriff Blanchard
Character: Slade Henchman #3
Character: Joe #1 - Henchman
Character: Henchman Tom Harris
Character: Slim - Lanky Henchman
Character: Leader (uncredited)
Character: Cattle Rustler (uncredited)
Character: Trooper Parker
Character: Oxen Train Bullwhacker
Character: Poncho Townsman
Character: Marshal (archive footage)
Character: Crockett Henchman
Character: Livery Stableman (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Red Stevens
Character: Henchman Jennings
Character: Man Who Tails Cory (Uncredited)
Character: Weather Bureau Guard
Character: Marshal Blackjack Flint
Character: Ship's Captain (archive footage)
Character: Air Raid Warden (? - ever seen in final cut?)
Character: Jerry - Posse Member (uncredited)
Character: Detective (uncredited)
Character: Undetermined Role (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Pvt. Frank Stafford
Character: Man on Train (Uncredited)
Character: 1st Medic Orderly (uncredited)
Character: Detective (uncredited)
Character: Cop (uncredited)
Character: David Manning / The Claw
Character: John Corbaly (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Man in Saloon (uncredited)
Character: Croupier (uncredited)
Character: Lefty - Henchman
Character: Soldier at American Consulate
Character: Detective Carter (Uncredited)
Character: Sheriff Slocum
Character: Dick Driscoll (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Ranger (uncredited)
Character: David Collins (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Undetermined Role (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Fake Captain Hartford
Character: Ranger Bob Adams
Character: Henchman Sneed
Character: Slippery Jack Elmm
Character: Detective at Airport Arrest (uncredited)
Character: Conductor (uncredited)
Character: Trapper (uncredited)
Character: Garvin / The Wolf-Devil
Character: Pete Mallis - Henchman
Character: Spumoni Hood (uncredited)
Character: Bum at Bar (uncredited)
Character: Shopkeeper (uncredited)
Character: Old Prospector (uncredited)
Character: Dolan - Henchman
Character: Cop in Squad Car (uncredited)
Character: Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Patches - Stage Driver (uncredited)
Character: Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Character: Oil Well Driller (uncredited)
Character: Old Dan (uncredited)
Character: Chadwick (uncredited)
Character: Prison Guard (uncredited)
Character: Prisoner (uncredited)
Character: Robert Jackson, Inventor (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Character: Sideshow Spectator (uncredited)
Character: Neilson - Gas Station Owner (uncredited)
Character: Tom (uncredited)