Richard Fiske


Thomas Ralph Potts was an American film actor best known by his stage name Richard Fiske. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1938 and 1942, almost exclusively for Columbia Pictures.

Biography

Potts was born in Shelton, Washington, to Frank Potts and Bernice Fiske. After graduating from Longview High School, he worked in local radio. He attended the University of Washington for a year. The tall, handsome young actor made a screen test for Columbia Pictures and was signed to a contract in 1938. Originally rechristened "Robert Fiske" for the screen, he had to adopt the name Richard Fiske because another actor named Robert Fiske was already working in the movie industry.
Columbia introduced Richard Fiske as a juvenile lead in its Edith Fellows features, and as the second lead in its popular serial The Spider's Web. From then on he was one of the studio's busiest actors, appearing regularly in the studio's "B" pictures, westerns, serials, and short subjects, including frequent castings in Charles Starrett and Bill Elliott westerns; the Blondie, The Lone Wolf, and Boston Blackie series; and equally frequent work with short-subject comedians Charley Chase, Andy Clyde, and Buster Keaton. He is best known by today's viewers for his portrayals of neurotic foils to The Three Stooges. Perhaps his most familiar role is that of the irate husband-turned-drill sergeant in 1940's Boobs in Arms. Three years later, this performance was edited into the Stooge short Dizzy Pilots. His last film role was Ginger Rogers' fiancé in the Billy Wilder comedy The Major and the Minor.
Potts married Marjorie MacGregor in December 1939; the couple was divorced in April 1944.
Potts' brief acting career was cut short when he joined the U.S. Army in May 1942. Commissioned as a lieutenant, he was killed in action in August 1944 at La Croix-Avranchin, France, while serving with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and several other military honors. He is buried at Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, Basse-Normandie, France.

Selected filmography

Juvenile Court - Spectator at Accident Girls' School - Sugar - Myra's First Dance Partner The Spider's Web - JacksonIn Early Arizona - Gambler Blondie - Nelson - Dithers' Employee The Little Adventuress - Dick HortonHomicide Bureau - HankFlying G-Men - Bart DavisBlondie Meets the Boss - NelsonRomance of the Redwoods - Logger