Edward Fielding
Edward Fielding was an American stage and film actor.
Career
Edward Fielding appeared in nearly 40 Broadway productions between 1905 and 1939, often in leading roles. He played as a leading man with famous stage actresses like Olga Nethersole, Grace George, Ethel Barrymore and Laura Hope Crews. The tall and dignified-looking actor was especially known for his roles in the works of playwright Henrik Ibsen. Fielding also worked for some time as an actor in London. He appeared occasionally in silent films, most notably as Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes with William Gillette in the leading role.
Fielding came to Hollywood in 1939 and appeared in over 80 films during the last years of his life. He usually played bit parts or supporting roles. Fielding was a favorite of Alfred Hitchcock and played in four Hitchcock movies between 1940 and 1945. His best-known role for Hitchcock was perhaps Frith, the old butler, in Rebecca. He also played supporting roles in films like Kitty Foyle with Ginger Rogers, Billy Wilder's American film debut The Major and the Minor and In This Our Life starring Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. Fielding was usually typecasted in dignified or respectable roles as a Doctor, Official, Judge, Priest or Butler.
Fielding collapsed and died of a heart attack while he mowed his lawn. He was two months shy of his 70th birthday. His wife, Elizabeth Sherman Clark, was a Metropolitan Opera star. They had one child.
Partial filmography
Sherlock Holmes - Dr. WatsonThe Runaway - FosterMagda - KellnerThe Beautiful Adventure - Count Michael D'EguzonThe Eternal Temptress - Prince EstezarySeeing Things The Invisible Man Returns - Prison Governor Abe Lincoln in Illinois - Minor Role Vigil in the Night - Forest - Epidemic Doctor The House Across the Bay - JudgeRebecca - FrithAll This, and Heaven Too - Dr. LouisMaryland - Chairrnan Junior G-Men - Professor Farraday Down Argentine Way - Willis CrawfordEast of the River - University President South of Suez - JudgeVictory - Fetherston Kitty Foyle - Uncle EdgarSo Ends Our Night - DurantRage in Heaven - Governor I Wanted Wings - President of the CourtScotland Yard - PickeringIn the Navy - Commander Giving Speech Blondie in Society - Blondie's Lawyer Blossoms in the Dust - Judge Our Wife - Dr. Mandel Parachute Battalion - Chief of InfantryBelle Starr - Badlands of Dakota - Councilman Hold Back the Dawn - American Consul Suspicion - Antique Shop Proprietor Skylark - Scholarly Man in Subway CarStar Spangled Rhythm - Y. Frank Freemont In This Our Life - Dr. BuchananPacific Rendezvous - Secretary of the NavyTen Gentlemen from West Point - William EustisBeyond the Blue Horizon - Judge ChaseThe Pride of the Yankees - Clinic DoctorThe Major and the Minor - Colonel HillRandom Harvest - Prime Minister Shadow of a Doubt - Doctor on Train Flight for Freedom - Rear Admiral Sturges Submarine Alert - Shipping Merchant Flesh and Fantasy - Sir Thomas It's a Great Life - Attorney Schuster #1 Mr. Lucky - Foster - Dorothy's Butler Crime Doctor - Governor Pilot No. 5 - Dean Barrett Good Luck, Mr. Yates - Colonel Fredericks Salute to the Marines - Preacher Three Smart Guys - FishermanGovernment Girl - Mr. Benson Higher and Higher - Minister Madame Curie - Board Member The Song of Bernadette - Doctor with Empress' Baby What a Woman! - Sen. Howard AinsleyTender Comrade - Doctor Lady in the Dark - Dr. CarltonSee Here, Private Hargrove - Gen. DillonThe Story of Dr. Wassell - Adm. Hart Mr. Skeffington - Justice of the Peace Marine Raiders - Commander of Camp Elliott Wilson - Minor Role My Pal Wolf - Secretary of WarMrs. Parkington - Rev. Pilbridge The Very Thought of You - Prof. Cathcart Dead Man's Eyes - Stanley HaydenBelle of the Yukon - C.V. AtterburyMinistry of Fear - Ministry Executive The Man in Half Moon Street - Col. Ashley Having Wonderful Crime - Dr. Newcomb A Medal for Benny - Governor The Beautiful Cheat - Dr. PennypackerGuest Wife - ArnoldSpellbound - Dr. Anthony Edwardes Hold That Blonde - J.W. Kellogg Saratoga Trunk - Mr. Bowers Colonel Effingham's Raid - Mr. Clyde Manadue Cinderella Jones - Dean Barker