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: Patches - Stage Driver (uncredited)
Character: Sheriff Slocum
Character: Rider with Crowder's Posse (uncredited)
Character: (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Dick Driscoll (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Ranger (uncredited)
Character: David Collins (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Blackjacking Gangster (uncredited)
Character: (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Undetermined Role (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Fake Captain Hartford
Character: Ranger Bob Adams
Character: Farmer on Front Line with Gard (uncredited)
Character: Reception Guest (uncredited)
Character: Deputy in Gunsight (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Sneed
Character: Slippery Jack Elmm
Character: Detective at Airport Arrest (uncredited)
Character: Oil Well Driller (uncredited)
Character: Conductor (uncredited)
Character: Marshal Jim Wood
Character: 'Sholt' Fletcher
Character: Old Dan (uncredited)
Character: Chadwick (uncredited)
Character: Prison Guard (uncredited)
Character: Kelley's Associate (uncredited)
Character: Phoney Union Sergeant
Character: Trapper (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Connor
Character: Henchman MacGowan
Character: Mechanic (uncredited)
Character: Garvin / The Wolf-Devil
Character: Pete Mallis - Henchman
Character: Sheriff Jackson
Character: Mac, the Motorcycle Cop
Character: Sheriff Plenner
Character: Ace, Chief Thug
Character: Bartender Pete
Character: Prisoner (uncredited)
Character: Old Man Robert
Character: Prof. Crawford
Character: Lions Coach Ryan
Character: Henchman Steve
Character: 2nd Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Character: Medicine Man Ceta
Character: Sgt. Hank Darby
Character: Henchman Felton
Character: Henchman Wilson
Character: Robert Jackson, Inventor (as Leonard Clapham)
Character: Sheriff Parker
Character: Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Character: Rattler Henchman Morgan
Character: Henchman Lefty
Character: Henchman Chuckawalla
Character: Henchman Cleve
Character: Military Policeman
Character: Spumoni Hood (uncredited)
Character: Bum at Bar (uncredited)
Character: Minor Role (uncredited)
Character: Dirk / Detective Dane
Character: Shopkeeper (uncredited)
Character: Old Prospector (uncredited)
Character: Motorist (uncredited)
Character: Sideshow Spectator (uncredited)
Character: Dick - Rustler
Character: Dixon - Detective
Character: Henchman Parker
Character: Town Choir Singer (uncredited)
Character: Gangster (uncredited)
Character: Neilson - Gas Station Owner (uncredited)
Character: Soldier (uncredited)
Character: Lion Attendant (uncredited)
Character: Pete Cave Henchman
Character: Henchman Huffy
Character: Mill River Inn Henchman
Character: Ranger (uncredited)
Character: Henchman Tracy Briggs
Character: Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Character: Rancher Wilson
Character: Settler at McDowell's Mill
Character: Dolan - Henchman
Character: Member of Rocci's Mob
Character: Detective Interrogating Pete
Character: Henchman Matt Grimes
Character: Henchman Monk Saunders
Character: Cop in Squad Car (uncredited)
Character: Deputy (uncredited)
Character: Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Tom (uncredited)
Character: Thug with Explosives
Character: James Canfield (uncredited)
Character: Hijacked Truck Driver
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: Thompson, Townsman in Mob
Character: Sheriff at Alma's Cell
Character: Tom the Doorman
Character: Policeman Ralph
Character: Auto Court Manager
Character: Johnson (uncredited)
Character: Policeman at Accident (uncredited)
Character: Harrison Colby
Character: Fake Judge Worth
Character: Patrick MacSween
Character: Sheriff Peabody
Character: Sheriff Dan Perkins
Character: Cop Getting Crane
Character: Henchman (uncredited)
Character: Marshal Warren
Character: Second Dialogue Tenant-Rancher
Character: Sheriff McBride
Character: Curley - Saloon Henchman
Character: Henchman Loomis
Character: Rocky - Henchman
Character: Sheriff Gibson
Character: Sheriff Tom Carpenter
Character: Sheriff Edwards
Character: Sheriff Gridley
Character: Sheriff Bert Morris
Character: Sheriff Tom Hammon
Character: Skillet (Ranch Hand)
Character: Sheriff Blanchard
Character: Agent-Passenger (Car Chase)
Character: Cattle Rustler (uncredited)
Character: Slade Henchman #3
Character: Joe #1 - Henchman
Character: Henchman Tom Harris
Character: Trooper Parker
Character: Oxen Train Bullwhacker
Character: Slim - Lanky Henchman
Character: Leader (uncredited)
Character: Crockett Henchman
Character: Poncho Townsman
Character: Marshal (archive footage)
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: Detective (uncredited)
Character: Air Raid Warden (? - ever seen in final cut?)
Character: Jerry - Posse Member (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: Reporter (uncredited)
Character: Corporal McGregor
Character: Plainclothesman
Character: Fred (uncredited)
Character: Cowhand (uncredited)
Character: Kenneth Winster
Character: Steel Worker (uncredited)
Character: Police Lieutenant