Preston Foster

Acting

Preston Foster

Born
Died
(aged 69)
Birthplace
Pitman, New Jersey, USA
Credits
118 titles

Biography

Preston Foster (August 24, 1900 – July 14, 1970) was an American stage and film actor, and singer. Foster entered films in 1929 after appearing as a Broadway stage actor. He was appearing in Broadway plays as late as October 1931 when he acted in a play titled Two Seconds starring Edward J. Pawley. Some of his notable films include: Doctor X (1932), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Annie Oakley (1935), The Last Days of Pompeii (also 1935), The Informer (1935) (as the head of the organization), and My Friend Flicka (1943).

He starred on the television drama, Waterfront (1954–1955), playing the role of Captain John Herrick. Foster has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was sometimes credited in movies as Preston S. Foster. His first wife was stage actress Gertrude Warren (1926–1945; divorced). He had one daughter, Stephanie. He was married to his second wife, actress Sheila Darcy, from 1946 until his death.

During World War II while serving with the United States Coast Guard, he rose to the rank of Captain, Temporary Reserve. He eventually held the honorary rank of Commodore in the U.S. Coast Guard.

After the war and before his productive movie career, Foster became a singer of some note. In 1948 Foster created a trio with himself, Gene Leis and Foster’s wife, actress Sheila Darcy. Gene arranged the songs, and they played on radio and in clubs, appearing with Orrin Tucker, Peggy Ann Garner and Rita Hayworth.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Preston Foster, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 118

YearTitleRole
2022 Lucy and Desi Film Self (archive footage)
1997 Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line Film Self (archive footage)
1975 Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Film Self (archive footage)
1968 Chubasco Film Nick
1967 You've Got To Be Smart Film D. O. Griggs
1964 The Time Travelers Film Dr. Erik von Steiner
1964 Advance to the Rear Film Gen. Bateman (uncredited)
1963 The Man from Galveston Film Judge Homer Black
1962 Going My Way TV (1 ep)
1961 Target: The Corruptors! TV (1 ep)
1961 Gunslinger TV Captain Zachary Scott (12 ep)
1960 Outlaws TV (1 ep)
1958 77 Sunset Strip TV (1 ep)
1957 Harbor Command TV (1 ep)
1957 Destination 60,000 Film Col. Ed Buckley
1957 O. Henry Playhouse TV John McCaskey (1 ep)
1954 Waterfront TV Cap'n John Herrick (81 ep)
1953 Letter to Loretta TV (1 ep)
1953 I, the Jury Film Capt. Pat Chambers
1953 The Marshal's Daughter Film Preston Foster - Poker-Game Player
1953 Law and Order Film Kurt Durling
1953 General Electric Theater TV (1 ep)
1952 Kansas City Confidential Film Tim Foster
1952 Montana Territory Film Sheriff Henry Plummer
1951 The Big Night Film Andy La Main
1951 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars TV Bob Hood (1 ep)
1951 The Bogus Green Film Brass McGannon
1951 The Big Gusher Film Henry 'Hank' Mason
1951 Tomahawk Film Col. Carrington
1951 Three Desperate Men Film Tom Denton
1950 The Tougher They Come Film Joe MacKinley
1949 The Big Cat Film Tom Eggers
1949 I Shot Jesse James Film John Kelley
1948 Thunderhoof Film Scotty Mason
1948 The Hunted Film Johnny Saxon
1947 Ramrod Film Frank Ivey
1947 King of the Wild Horses Film Dave Taggert
1946 It's Your America Film Army Surgeon (uncredited)
1946 Inside Job Film Bart Madden
1946 Tangier Film Col. Jose Artiego
1946 Strange Triangle Film Sam Crane
1946 The Harvey Girls Film Judge Sam Purvis
1945 Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood Film Self (uncredited)
1945 Twice Blessed Film Jeff Turner
1945 The Valley of Decision Film Jim Brennan
1945 Thunderhead: Son of Flicka Film Rob McLaughlin
1944 Roger Touhy, Gangster Film Roger Touhy
1944 Bermuda Mystery Film Steve Carramond
1943 Guadalcanal Diary Film Father Donnelly
1943 My Friend Flicka Film Rob McLaughlin
1942 American Empire Film Paxton Bryce
1942 Thunder Birds Film Steve Britt
1942 Classification of Enlisted Men Film Narrator
1942 Little Tokyo, U.S.A. Film Michael Steele
1942 Night in New Orleans Film Police Lt. Steve Abbott
1942 A Gentleman After Dark Film Tom Gaynor
1942 Secret Agent of Japan Film Roy Bonnell
1941 Unfinished Business Film Steve Duncan
1941 The Roundup Film Greg Lane
1940 North West Mounted Police Film Sergeant Jim Brett
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