Ned Sparks
Ned Sparks (actually Edward Arthur Sparkman, born November 19, 1883 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, † April 3, 1957 in Victorville, California, USA ) was an American actor who, through his sarcastic supporting roles in films of the 1930s and 1940s years has been known.
Life
Before Ned Sparks came in contact with the show business, he tried his hand at gold mining in the Klondike Gold Rush. When he not brought the desired wealth, he joined a group of musicians with whom he traveled as a singer through the area. Back in Canada, he attended the Theological Seminary in Toronto. After that, he worked in theater in Toronto. 1907 Sparks left Canada and tried his luck in New York on Broadway.
Here is his trademark, his dry humor made . Louis B. Mayer, co-founder of the film company MGM, attention was drawn to Sparks. After the actors strike of 1918 he became a member of the AEA, the Actor's Equity Association. Sparks appeared in several silent films before he gave in 1928 with the film The Big Noise his sound film debut. In the 1930s, he was known for his sarcasm, his scowl and his cigar chewing. The New York Times was in 1936 announced that Sparks had assured his expression for $ 100,000. Every photographer who photographed smiling Sparks would get paid this sum. Later, Sparks admitted that there had been a publicity stunt, the sum insured only amounted to U.S. $ 10,000. In various Disney animated films Sparks mine was caricatured.
His last appearance in a feature film was 1947 Sparks other in the strangers city comedy opposite James Stewart. Overall, he has appeared in over 80 productions. His rotation partners included, inter alia, with James Stewart, Jean Harlow, Boris Karloff, Ginger Rogers, Mary Pickford, Bing Crosby, Janet Gaynor, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Barbara Stanwyck and Betty Grable.
On April 3, 1957 Ned Sparks died as a consequence of intestinal obstruction.