Buddy Messinger (born Melvin Joseph Messinger; 26 October 1907 – 25 October 1965) was an American actor who was cast in substantial roles in dozens of films during the silent film era. He began his career as a jovial chubby child actor. With the advent of sound films he was relegated mostly to bit parts.[1][2]

Buddy Messinger
Messinger in 1922
Born
Melvin Joseph Messinger

(1907-10-26)October 26, 1907
DiedOctober 25, 1965(1965-10-25) (aged 57)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Marjorie Montgomery
(m.1932—1965; his death)
RelativesGertrude Messinger (sister)
Still of Mary Alden and Messinger in The Old Nest (1921)
Advert for The Flirt (1922)

His sister Gertrude Messinger was also a child actor. They appeared in several Fox fairytale movies for children.[3] She transitioned to speaking roles in B-movies during the 1930s continuing her career into the 1950s.

He featured in a series of "Edgar" films including Edgar's Sunday Courtship, Edgar Camps Out, and Edgar's Little Saw in 1920 and 1921.[3]

He appeared in a series of comedy films for Century Film Corporation. He starred in a 22-minute haunted house comedy for Universal called What an Eye in 1924 with Hilliard Karr.[4]

In the 1950s and 1960s he also worked as an assistant director.[5]

He married Marjorie Montgomery in 1932.[citation needed]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ T, Ian (December 21, 2016). "Forgotten Actors: Buddy Messinger".[self-published source]
  2. ^ "Buddy Messinger". www.lordheath.com.[self-published source]
  3. ^ a b c d Ankerich, Michael G. (5 December 2010). "Dangerous Curves atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen". BearManor Media – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b Workman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 282. ISBN 978-1936168-68-2.
  5. ^ "Buddy Messinger". BFI. Archived from the original on October 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "The Educational Screen". Educational Screen. October 10, 1923 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Munden, Kenneth White; Institute, American Film (October 10, 1997). The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520209695 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "ThreeStooges.net : Cast Member : Buddy Messinger". www.threestooges.net.
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