# Otto Fries > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Otto_Fries > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Otto_Fries.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Fries > Source revision: 1357085318 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American actor (1887–1938)}} {{for|the American painter|Otto Fried}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2014}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Otto Fries | image = Otto Fries, a weak-end party.jpg | caption = Fries in ''[The Weak-End Party](/source/The_Weak-End_Party)'' (1922) | birth_name = Otto Hugo Fries | birth_date = {{birth date|1887|10|28}} | birth_place = [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri), United States | death_date = {{death date and age|1938|9|15|1887|10|28}} | death_place = [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), [California](/source/California), United States | years_active = 1920–1938 | occupation = Actor | spouse = [Vivian Marshall](/source/Vivian_Marshall) {{small|(1914–1938, his death)}} | children = 2, including [Sherwood M. Fries](/source/Sherwood_Fries)US Federal Census 1930, California, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, ED 841, Sheet 9A, Lines 12-16 }} '''Otto Hugo Fries''' (October 28, 1887 – September 15, 1938) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 120 films between 1920 and 1938.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lordheath.com/menu1_540.html|title=Otto Fries}} ==Biography== Fries was born in [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri) and died in 1938 in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), California at age 50. He was the father of [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) player [Sherwood Fries](/source/Sherwood_Fries). Fries became a dapper-looking supporting comic with a varied background in medicine shows and [vaudeville](/source/vaudeville). He easily transitioned to film in the early 1910s. By 1915, he was with the [Keystone Cops](/source/Keystone_Cops) and entered a lifelong friendship with [Stan Laurel](/source/Stan_Laurel), which led to appearances in that star comedian's early films for [Bronco Billy Anderson](/source/Bronco_Billy_Anderson). Not surprisingly, Fries later landed at [Hal Roach](/source/Hal_Roach) Studios, where he supported not only [Laurel & Hardy](/source/Laurel_%26_Hardy) and [Charley Chase](/source/Charley_Chase) but also such lesser stars as Max Davidson and James Finlayson.[[File:The Simp (1920) - 2.jpg|thumb|right|[Lloyd Hamilton](/source/Lloyd_Hamilton), Otto Fries, and [Marvel Rea](/source/Marvel_Rea) in ''The Simp'' (1920)]] Sound proved no hindrance and Fries would appear in many of Roach's German-language talkies, as well as characters in many of the [Our Gang](/source/Our_Gang) shorts. Often cast as inebriates, detectives, and bartenders (with a memorable turn as a Blacksmith matching wits with a delinquent 9-year-old in Roach's ''[Readin' and Writin'](/source/Readin'_and_Writin')''), Fries played scores of bit parts and walk-ons in grade-A films. One of his more notable appearances was as a shiphand in the [Marx Brothers](/source/Marx_Brothers)' ''[Monkey Business](/source/Monkey_Business_(1931_film))''. ==Partial filmography== {{div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''[The Weak-End Party](/source/The_Weak-End_Party)'' (1922, Short) - The Overseer * ''[The Handy Man](/source/The_Handy_Man_(1923_film))'' (1923, Short) - The overseer * ''[Wet Paint](/source/Wet_Paint_(film))'' (1926) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[Hotel Imperial](/source/Hotel_Imperial_(1927_film))'' (1927) - Anton Klinak * ''[The Broncho Twister](/source/The_Broncho_Twister)'' (1927) - Sheriff * ''[The Second Hundred Years](/source/The_Second_Hundred_Years_(film))'' (1927, Short) - Lecoque (uncredited) * ''[The Missing Link](/source/The_Missing_Link_(1927_film))'' (1927) - (uncredited) * ''[Call of the Cuckoo](/source/Call_of_the_Cuckoo)'' (1927, Short) - Party Guest (uncredited) * ''[Surrender](/source/Surrender_(1927_film))'' (1927) - Tarras * ''[Leave 'Em Laughing](/source/Leave_'Em_Laughing)'' (1928, Short) - Burly Dentist (uncredited) * ''[From Soup to Nuts](/source/From_Soup_to_Nuts)'' (1928, Short) - Chef (uncredited) * ''[Riley the Cop](/source/Riley_the_Cop)'' (1928) - Munich Cabman (uncredited) * ''[The Younger Generation](/source/The_Younger_Generation)'' (1929) - Tradesman (uncredited) * ''[Railroadin'](/source/Railroadin')'' (1929, Short) - Joe's Father (uncredited) * ''[The First Seven Years](/source/The_First_Seven_Years)'' (1930, Short) - Speck's Father (uncredited) * ''[Little Daddy](/source/Little_Daddy)'' (1931, Short) - Orphan asylum agent * ''[Bargain Day](/source/Bargain_Day)'' (1931, Short) - Policeman not in uniform * ''[Pardon Us](/source/Pardon_Us)'' (1931) - Dentist (uncredited) * ''[Monkey Business](/source/Monkey_Business_(1931_film))'' (1931) - Ship's 2nd Officer (uncredited) * ''[On the Loose](/source/On_the_Loose_(1931_film))'' (1931, Short) - Belligerent Bully (uncredited) * ''[Readin' and Writin'](/source/Readin'_and_Writin')'' (1932, Short) - The Blacksmith * ''[Free Eats](/source/Free_Eats)'' (1932, Short) - Detective * ''[Choo-Choo!](/source/Choo-Choo!)'' (1932, Short) - Inebriated novelties salesman * ''[The Night of June 13](/source/The_Night_of_June_13)'' (1932) - Baliff (uncredited) * ''[The Kid from Borneo](/source/The_Kid_from_Borneo)'' (1933, Short) - The Kids' Dad * ''[Corruption](/source/Corruption_(1933_film))'' (1933) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[Footlight Parade](/source/Footlight_Parade)'' (1933) - Bartender in 'Shanghai Lil' (uncredited) * ''[Saturday's Millions](/source/Saturday's_Millions)'' (1933) - Old Grad (uncredited) * ''[Hips, Hips, Hooray!](/source/Hips%2C_Hips%2C_Hooray!)'' (1934) - Mountaineer (uncredited) * ''[The Cat and the Fiddle](/source/The_Cat_and_the_Fiddle_(film))'' (1934) - Piano Mover (uncredited) * ''[Riptide](/source/Riptide_(1934_film))'' (1934) - Doorman (uncredited) * ''[Stamboul Quest](/source/Stamboul_Quest)'' (1934) - Train Conductor (uncredited) * ''[She Was a Lady](/source/She_Was_a_Lady_(film))'' (1934) - Bartender (uncredited) * ''[The Merry Widow](/source/The_Merry_Widow_(1934_film))'' (1934) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[Broadway Bill](/source/Broadway_Bill)'' (1934) - Waiter (uncredited) * ''[Music in the Air](/source/Music_in_the_Air_(film))'' (1934) - Butcher (uncredited) * ''The Best Man Wins'' (1935) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[The Mystery Man](/source/The_Mystery_Man_(film))'' (1935) - Nate, Pawnbroker * ''[George White's 1935 Scandals](/source/George_White's_1935_Scandals)'' (1935) - Soloist (uncredited) * ''[The Arizonian](/source/The_Arizonian)'' (1935) - Wells Fargo Agent (uncredited) * ''[Here Comes the Band](/source/Here_Comes_the_Band_(film))'' (1935) - The Riveter / Cymbalist (uncredited) * ''[Anna Karenina](/source/Anna_Karenina_(1935_film))'' (1935) - Officer at Banquet (uncredited) * ''[A Night at the Opera](/source/A_Night_at_the_Opera_(film))'' (1935) - Otto - Elevator Operator (uncredited) * ''[Mary Burns, Fugitive](/source/Mary_Burns%2C_Fugitive)'' (1935) - Clerk at Employment Agency (uncredited) * ''[Ah, Wilderness!](/source/Ah%2C_Wilderness!_(film))'' (1935) - German Truck Driver (uncredited) * ''[Next Time We Love](/source/Next_Time_We_Love)'' (1936) - Conductor (uncredited) * ''[Timothy's Quest](/source/Timothy's_Quest_(1936_film))'' (1936) - Timid Tenor (uncredited) * ''[The Trail of the Lonesome Pine](/source/The_Trail_of_the_Lonesome_Pine_(1936_film))'' (1936) - Corsey * ''[The Story of Louis Pasteur](/source/The_Story_of_Louis_Pasteur)'' (1936) - Servant (uncredited) * ''[Small Town Girl](/source/Small_Town_Girl_(1936_film))'' (1936) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''[The King Steps Out](/source/The_King_Steps_Out)'' (1936) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''[Sons o' Guns](/source/Sons_O'_Guns_(film))'' (1936) - German Spy * ''[Human Cargo](/source/Human_Cargo_(film))'' (1936) - German Cook (uncredited) * ''[Pepper](/source/Pepper_(film))'' (1936) - Delicatessen Proprietor (uncredited) * ''[Star for a Night](/source/Star_for_a_Night_(film))'' (1936) - Chauffeur (uncredited) * ''[Love on the Run](/source/Love_on_the_Run_(1936_film))'' (1936) - Mechanic (uncredited) * ''[Born to Dance](/source/Born_to_Dance)'' (1936) - Quartet Member (uncredited) * ''[Charlie Chan at the Opera](/source/Charlie_Chan_at_the_Opera)'' (1936) - Innkeeper (uncredited) * ''[Banjo on My Knee](/source/Banjo_on_My_Knee_(film))'' (1936) - Deputy (uncredited) * ''[When You're in Love](/source/When_You're_in_Love_(film))'' (1937) - Otto- Musician (uncredited) * ''[Espionage](/source/Espionage_(1937_film))'' (1937) - Driver (uncredited) * ''[The Hit Parade](/source/The_Hit_Parade_(film))'' (1937) - Majordomo (uncredited) * ''[Pick a Star](/source/Pick_a_Star)'' (1937) - Contest Judge (uncredited) * ''[Parnell](/source/Parnell_(film))'' (1937) - Singing Irish Member (uncredited) * ''[Slave Ship](/source/Slave_Ship_(1937_film))'' (1937) - Singer (uncredited) * ''[Love in a Bungalow](/source/Love_in_a_Bungalow)'' (1937) - Policeman * ''[The Prisoner of Zenda](/source/The_Prisoner_of_Zenda_(1937_film))'' (1937) - Luggage Officer (uncredited) * ''[Bulldog Drummond Comes Back](/source/Bulldog_Drummond_Comes_Back)'' (1937) - Sanghil Wun - Pub Proprietor (uncredited) * ''[Life Begins with Love](/source/Life_Begins_with_Love)'' (1937) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[A Girl with Ideas](/source/A_Girl_with_Ideas)'' (1937) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''Under Suspicion'' (1937) * ''[High Flyers](/source/High_Flyers_(film))'' (1937) - Fat Man on Kiddie Ride (uncredited) * ''[Expensive Husbands](/source/Expensive_Husbands)'' (1937) - Franz, Buggy Driver * ''[Prescription for Romance](/source/Prescription_for_Romance)'' (1937) - Police Sergeant (uncredited) * ''[Every Day's a Holiday](/source/Every_Day's_a_Holiday_(1937_film))'' (1937) - Quartet member * ''[Arsène Lupin Returns](/source/Ars%C3%A8ne_Lupin_Returns)'' (1938) - Truck Driver (uncredited) * ''[Romance in the Dark](/source/Romance_in_the_Dark)'' (1938) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''[Test Pilot](/source/Test_Pilot_(film))'' (1938) - Bartender (uncredited) * ''[Go Chase Yourself](/source/Go_Chase_Yourself)'' (1938) - Rube Wardell - Ventriloquist (uncredited) * ''[The Devil's Party](/source/The_Devil's_Party)'' (1938) - Detective (uncredited) * ''[Alexander's Ragtime Band](/source/Alexander's_Ragtime_Band_(film))'' (1938) - Trio Member * ''[The Lone Wolf in Paris](/source/The_Lone_Wolf_in_Paris)'' (1938) - Peter - Rifleman (uncredited) * ''[Boy Meets Girl](/source/Boy_Meets_Girl_(1938_film))'' (1938) - Olaf - Masseur (uncredited) * ''[The Mad Miss Manton](/source/The_Mad_Miss_Manton)'' (1938) - Homicide Detective (uncredited) {{div col end}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category|Otto Fries}} * {{IMDb name|0295618}} * {{Find a Grave|7960486}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Fries, Otto}} Category:1887 births Category:1938 deaths Category:American male silent film actors Category:Male actors from St. Louis Category:20th-century American male actors Category:Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Otto Fries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Fries) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Fries?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.