Ward Bond


Wardell Edwin Bond was an American character actor who appeared in more than 200 films and starred in the NBC television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1960. Among his best-remembered roles are Bert the cop in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life and Captain Clayton in John Ford's The Searchers.

Early life

Bond was born in Benkelman in Dundy County, Nebraska. The Bond family, John W., Mabel L., and sister Bernice, lived in Benkelman until 1919, when they moved to Denver, Colorado, where Bond graduated from East High School.
Bond attended the Colorado School of Mines and then attended the University of Southern California and played football on the same team with future USC coach Jess Hill. At 6'2" and 195 pounds, Bond was a starting lineman on USC's first national-championship team in 1928. He graduated from USC in 1931 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering.
Bond and John Wayne, who had played tackle for USC in 1926 before an injury ended his career, became lifelong friends and colleagues. Bond, Wayne, and the entire USC team were hired to appear in Salute, a football film starring George O'Brien and directed by John Ford. During filming, Bond and Wayne befriended Ford, who later directed them in several films.

Career

Bond made his screen debut in Salute and thereafter was a busy character actor, playing over 200 supporting roles. He appeared in 31 films released in 1935 and 23 in 1939. Rarely playing the lead in theatrical films, he starred in the television series Wagon Train from 1957 until his death in 1960. Wagon Train was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master, in which Bond also appeared. Wagon Master was influenced by the earlier The Big Trail. For Wagon Train, Bond was assigned the lead role of the crusty but compassionate Major Seth Adams, the trail master. He was frequently typecast in extremes, as either a friendly lawman or a brutal henchman. He had a longtime working relationship with directors John Ford and Frank Capra, performing in such films as The Searchers, Drums Along the Mohawk, The Quiet Man, They Were Expendable, and Fort Apache for Ford, with whom he made 25 films, and It Happened One Night, It's a Wonderful Life, and Riding High for Capra.
Among his other well-known films were Bringing Up Baby, Gone with the Wind, The Maltese Falcon, Sergeant York, Gentleman Jim, Joan of Arc, Rio Bravo, and Raoul Walsh's 1930 widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail, which also featured John Wayne, in his first leading role.
During the 1940s, Bond was a member of the conservative group called the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, whose major platform was opposition to communists in the film industry.
On the American Film Institute's "100 Years... 100 Movies" list—both the original and the 10th-anniversary edition, Bond appears in the casts more often than any other actor, albeit always in a supporting role: It Happened One Night, Bringing Up Baby, Gone with the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, The Maltese Falcon, It's a Wonderful Life, and The Searchers.
Bond appeared in 13 films that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: Arrowsmith, Lady for a Day, It Happened One Night ''Dead End, You Can't Take It with You, Gone with the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, The Long Voyage Home, The Maltese Falcon, Sergeant York, It's a Wonderful Life, The Quiet Man, and Mister Roberts.
Bond appeared in 24 films with John Wayne:
  • Words and Music – bit part
  • Salute – Midshipman Harold
  • The Lone Star Ranger – Townsperson at the Dance
  • Born Reckless – Sergeant
  • The Big Trail – Sid Bascomb
  • Maker of Men – Pat
  • Three Girls Lost – Airline Steward
  • College Coach – Assistant Coach
  • Conflict – Gus "Knockout" Carrigan
  • The Long Voyage Home – Yank
  • The Shepherd of the Hills – Wash Gibbs
  • A Man Betrayed – Floyd
  • Tall in the Saddle – Judge Robert Garvey
  • Dakota – Jim Bender
  • They Were Expendable – BMC "Boats" Mulcahey
  • 3 Godfathers – Perley "Buck" Sweet
  • Fort Apache – Sergeant Major Michael O'Rourke
  • Operation Pacific – Commander John T. "Pop" Perry
  • The Quiet Man – Father Peter Lonergan
  • Hondo – Buffalo Baker
  • Rookie of the Year – Buck Goodhue, Alias Buck Garrison
  • The Searchers – Reverend Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton
  • The Wings of Eagles – John Dodge
  • Rio Bravo'' – Pat Wheeler

    Personal life

Bond married Doris Sellers Childs in 1936, but they divorced in 1944. In 1954, he married Mary Louise Meyers, and they remained together until his death in November 1960.
Bond was an early and dedicated anti–communist.

Death

On November 5, 1960, Bond suffered a massive heart attack while at a hotel in Dallas with his wife. He was pronounced dead at a Dallas hospital at the age of 57. His close friend John Wayne delivered the eulogy at his funeral. Bond's will bequeathed to Wayne the shotgun with which Wayne had once accidentally shot Bond on a hunting trip.
On the same day Bond died, country singer Johnny Horton was fatally injured in an automobile accident in Milano, Texas. This led to a rumor that Horton was on his way to Dallas to meet Bond, who was to offer Horton a role on Wagon Train; the rumor was untrue. Bond's actual reason for visiting Dallas was to attend a football game at the Cotton Bowl.

Legacy

For his contribution to the television industry, Bond has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960. In 2001, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Filmography

Film

  • Noah's Ark as Flood Extra uncredited
  • Words and Music as Bit Part
  • Salute as Midshipman Harold
  • So This Is College as USC Player-#30
  • The Lone Star Ranger as Townsperson at the Dance
  • Born Reckless as Sergeant
  • Cheer Up and Smile as Boy at Sweetheart Dance
  • The Big Trail as Sid Bascom
  • Up The River as Inmate socked by Saint Louis
  • The Doorway to Hell as Policeman
  • A Connecticut Yankee as Queen's Knight
  • Quick Millions as Cop in Montage
  • Three Girls Lost as Airline Steward
  • The Brat as Court Policeman
  • The Spider as Cop
  • Sob Sister as Ward
  • Over the Hill as Detective Escort
  • Arrowsmith as Cop
  • Maker of Men as Pat
  • Blonde Crazy as Highway Patrolman
  • The Greeks Had a Word for Them as Taxi Driver
  • High Speed as Ham
  • Careless Lady as Cop in Raid
  • The Trial of Vivienne Ware as Johnson
  • Bachelor's Affairs as Cop
  • Hello Trouble as "Heavy" Kennedy
  • Hold 'Em Jail as Football Player
  • White Eagle as Henchman Bart
  • Rackety Rax as "Bick" Gilligan
  • Virtue as Frank
  • Air Mail as Joe Barnes
  • Flesh as Muscles Manning
  • Sundown Rider as Gabe Powers
  • Lucky Devils as Crewman
  • State Trooper
  • Obey the Law as Kid Paris
  • Unknown Valley as Elder Sneed
  • When Strangers Marry as Billy McGuire
  • Heroes for Sale as Red
  • The Wrecker as Cramer
  • Lady for a Day as Mounted Policeman
  • Wild Boys of the Road as Red, the Raping Brakeman
  • Police Car 17 as Bumps O'Neil
  • College Coach as Assistant Coach
  • Son of a Sailor as Joe
  • Straightaway as Hobo
  • The Fighting Code as Joe Krull
  • Frontier Marshal as Ben Murchison
  • School for Romance as Husband
  • Speed Wings as Henchman
  • It Happened One Night as Bus Driver #1
  • The Poor Rich as Motor Cop
  • The Fighting Ranger as Dave, Cougar Henchman
  • Voice in the Night as Bob Hall
  • Whirlpool as Farley
  • The Crime of Helen Stanley as Jack Baker
  • I'll Tell the World as Dirigible Officer
  • The Most Precious Thing in Life as Head Coach Smith
  • Here Comes the Groom as Second Cop
  • A Man's Game as Dave Jordan
  • The Circus Clown as Unimpressed Man in Audience
  • The Defense Rests as Hood
  • The Affairs of Cellini as Palace Guard Finding Cellini's Clothes
  • Chained as Ship Steward
  • The Human Side as Cop
  • Girl in Danger as Wynkoski
  • Death on the Diamond as Security Guard in Kelly's Room
  • 6 Day Bike Rider as First Officer
  • Against the Law as Tony Rizzo
  • Men of the Night as Detective John Connors
  • Broadway Bill as Morgan's Henchman
  • Grand Old Girl as Mr. Clark
  • Under Pressure as Prize Fighter
  • Devil Dogs of the Air as Instructor
  • One New York Night as Policeman
  • Times Square Lady as Dugan
  • The Crimson Trail as Luke Long
  • Black Fury as Mac
  • Fighting Shadows as Brad Harrison
  • G Men as Gunman at the Train Station
  • Go Into Your Dance as Herman Lahey
  • Strangers All as Ward, Assistant Film Director on Film Set
  • Mary Jane's Pa as Roughneck Leader
  • The Headline Woman as Johnson, Reporter
  • Murder in the Fleet as 'Heavy' Johnson
  • Justice of the Range as Bob Brennan
  • Calm Yourself as Detective with Roscoe
  • She Gets Her Man as Chick
  • Little Big Shot as Kell's Henchman
  • His Night Out as Lanky
  • Waterfront Lady as Jess
  • The Last Days of Pompeii as Murmex of Carthage, a gladiator
  • Three Kids and a Queen as Relative
  • Western Courage as Lacrosse
  • Guard That Girl as Budge Edwards
  • I Found Stella Parish as Roman Soldier in Play
  • Broadway Hostess as Lucky's Henchman
  • Too Tough to Kill as Danny
  • We're Only Human as Grover's Bank Robber
  • Hitch Hike Lady as Motorcycle Officer
  • Two in the Dark as Police in the Dark
  • Muss 'Em Up as John Doe, a Gangster
  • The Leathernecks Have Landed as Tex
  • Boulder Dam as Pa's Guest
  • Colleen as Sweeney
  • The First Baby as Tough Guy
  • Pride of the Marines as Gunner Brady
  • The Case Against Mrs. Ames as Newspaper Buyer
  • Avenging Waters as Marve Slater
  • Fatal Lady as American Stage Manager
  • The Cattle Thief as Ranse Willard
  • Fury as Man
  • High Tension as Husky Man
  • The Bride Walks Out as Taxi Driver
  • White Fang as Thief
  • Crash Donovan as The Drill Master
  • Second Wife as 1st Partner Politician
  • They Met in a Taxi as Policeman
  • The Man Who Lived Twice as John 'Gloves' Baker
  • The Big Game as Gambler
  • Without Orders as Tim Casey
  • Legion of Terror as Don Foster
  • The Accusing Finger as Prison Guard
  • Conflict as Gus "Knockout" Carrigan
  • After the Thin Man as Party Guest
  • Woman-Wise as Kramer
  • You Only Live Once as Casey
  • Devil's Playground as Sidecar Wilson
  • When's Your Birthday? as Police Detective
  • Park Avenue Logger as Paul Sangar
  • 23 1/2 Hours' Leave as Top Sergeant Burke
  • The Soldier and the Lady as Tartar Guard
  • Night Key as Fingers
  • They Gave Him a Gun as Military Policeman
  • The Wildcatter as Johnson
  • Mountain Music as G-Man
  • A Fight to the Finish as Eddie Hawkins
  • The Singing Marine as First Sergeant
  • Marry the Girl as First Motorcycle Policeman
  • Topper as Eddie
  • Dead End as Doorman
  • Escape by Night as Peter 'Spudsy' Baker
  • The Game That Kills as Tom Ferguson
  • Music for Madame as Violets
  • The Westland Case as Connors
  • Fight for Your Lady as Mr. Walton
  • The Go Getter as Logger
  • Souls at Sea as Sailor
  • Penitentiary as Red Parsons
  • Of Human Hearts as Lout Laughing in Church
  • The Kid Comes Back as Spike
  • Bringing Up Baby as Motorcycle Cop at Jail
  • Born to Be Wild as Bill Purvis
  • Hawaii Calls as Muller
  • Mr. Moto's Gamble as Biff Moram
  • Over the Wall as Eddie Edwards
  • The Adventures of Marco Polo as Mongol Guard
  • Flight into Nowhere
  • Gun Law as Pecos
  • Numbered Woman
  • Reformatory as Mac Grady
  • Professor Beware as Motorcycle Cop
  • Prison Break as Big Red Kincaid
  • The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse as Tug
  • You Can't Take It with You as Mike, the Detective
  • Fugitives for a Night as Gambler in Fake Fight
  • Submarine Patrol as Seaman Olaf Swanson
  • The Law West of Tombstone as Mulligan P. Martinez
  • Going Places as Clarence, Policeman
  • They Made Me a Criminal as Lenihan
  • Made for Each Other as Jim Hatton
  • Pardon Our Nerve as Kid Ramsey
  • The Oklahoma Kid as Wes Handley
  • Trouble in Sundown as Henchman Dusty
  • Dodge City as Bud Taylor
  • Mr. Moto in Danger Island as Sailor Sam
  • Confessions of a Nazi Spy as an anti-Nazi American Legionnaire
  • Union Pacific as Tracklayer
  • The Return of the Cisco Kid as Accused Rustler
  • The Kid from Kokomo as Ladislaw Klewicki
  • Young Mr. Lincoln as John Palmer Cass
  • The Girl from Mexico as Mexican Pete, the Wrestler
  • Waterfront as Matt Hendler
  • Frontier Marshal as Town Marshal
  • Dust Be My Destiny as First Thug on Train
  • Drums Along the Mohawk as Adam Hartman
  • Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence as Hunk
  • Gone with the Wind as Tom, Yankee Captain
  • The Cisco Kid and the Lady as Walton
  • Son of Frankenstein as Gendarme at Gate
  • The Grapes of Wrath as Needles Policeman
  • Little Old New York as Regan
  • Virginia City as Confederate Sergeant Checking Passengers
  • Buck Benny Rides Again as First Outlaw
  • The Mortal Storm as Franz
  • Sailor's Lady as Shore Patrolman
  • Kit Carson as Ape
  • City for Conquest as First Policeman
  • The Long Voyage Home as Yank
  • Santa Fe Trail as Townley
  • Tobacco Road as Lov Bensey
  • A Man Betrayed as Floyd
  • Sergeant York as Ike Botkin
  • The Shepherd of the Hills as Wash Gibbs
  • Manpower as Eddie Adams
  • Doctors Don't Tell as Barney Millen
  • The Maltese Falcon as Detective Tom Polhaus
  • Swamp Water as Tim Dorson
  • Know for Sure as Patient
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rides as Sheriff Edmunds
  • The Falcon Takes Over as Moose Malloy
  • Ten Gentlemen from West Point as Sergeant Scully
  • Sin Town as Rock Delanry
  • Hitler – Dead or Alive as Steve Maschick
  • Gentleman Jim as John L. Sullivan
  • In This Our Life as Extra at a Roadhouse Table
  • Hello Frisco, Hello as Sharkey
  • Slightly Dangerous as Jimmy
  • They Came to Blow Up America as FBI Chief Craig
  • A Guy Named Joe as Al Yackey
  • The Sullivans, renamed The Fighting Sullivans as Lieutenant Commander Robinson
  • Home in Indiana as Jed Bruce
  • Tall in the Saddle as Judge Robert Garvey
  • Dakota as Jim Bender
  • They Were Expendable as BMC "Boats" Mulcahey
  • Canyon Passage as Honey Bragg
  • My Darling Clementine as Morgan Earp
  • It's a Wonderful Life as Bert, the cop
  • Unconquered as John Fraser
  • The Fugitive as El Gringo
  • Fort Apache as Sergeant Major Michael O'Rourke
  • Sins of the Fathers
  • The Time of Your Life as McCarthy
  • Tap Roots as Hoab Dabney
  • Joan of Arc as Captain La Hire
  • 3 Godfathers as Perley "Buck" Sweet
  • Singing Guns as Sheriff Jim Caradac
  • Riding High as Lee
  • Wagon Master as Mormon Elder Wiggs
  • Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye as Inspector Charles Weber
  • Operation Pacific as Commander John T. "Pop" Perry
  • The Great Missouri Raid as Major Marshal Troebridge
  • Only the Valiant as Corporal Timothy Gilchrist
  • Bullfighter and the Lady as Narrator
  • On Dangerous Ground as Walter Brent
  • The Quiet Man as Father Peter Lonergan
  • Hellgate as Lieutenant Tod Voorhees
  • Thunderbirds as Lieutenant John McCreery
  • Blowing Wild as Dutch Peterson
  • The Moonlighter as Cole Gardner
  • Hondo as Buffalo Baker
  • Gypsy Colt as Frank McWade
  • Johnny Guitar as John McIvers
  • The Bob Mathias Story as Coach Virgil Jackson
  • The Long Gray Line as Captain Herman J. Kohler
  • Mister Roberts as Chief Petty Officer Dowdy
  • A Man Alone as Sheriff Gil Corrigan
  • The Searchers as Reverend Captain Samuel Johnson Clayton
  • Dakota Incident as Senator Blakely
  • Pillars of the Sky as Dr. Joseph Holdon
  • The Halliday Brand as Big Dan Halliday
  • The Wings of Eagles as John Dodge
  • China Doll as Father Cairns
  • Rio Bravo as Pat Wheeler
  • Alias Jesse James as Major Seth Adams