Born: February 27, 1895 – Died: May 27, 1960
Edward Brophy, born on February 27, 1895, in the bustling city of New York, was a versatile actor known for his distinctive voice and memorable roles. Educated at the University of Virginia, Brophy embarked on his entertainment journey in 1919, initially taking on bit and small parts in movies. However, he eventually transitioned to behind-the-scenes work in the film industry while continuing to make appearances in small roles. Notably, he served as a property master for Buster Keaton's production unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and even appeared in a memorable sequence with Keaton. Brophy's chubby, bald-headed appearance and high-pitched voice made him a sought-after comic actor, and he appeared in numerous comedic roles. One of his enduring legacies is as the voice of Timothy Mouse in Disney's classic 1941 cartoon, "Dumbo." Edward Brophy's career left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, making him a beloved figure among film enthusiasts.
Early Life and Career
Edward Brophy's journey in the entertainment world was marked by a mix of talent and determination. Growing up in the vibrant streets of New York, he honed his skills and pursued a higher education at the University of Virginia. Although the details of his major are not widely documented, his passion for the performing arts led him to a career in the movies.
In 1919, Brophy took his first steps into the film industry, starting with bit parts and small roles. However, he made a crucial shift to behind-the-scenes work, becoming a property master for Buster Keaton's production unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Despite this transition, he continued to grace the screen with his presence in various supporting roles.
Brophy's distinctive appearance, characterized by his chubby, bald-headed face and high-pitched voice, made him a sought-after comic actor. He delighted audiences with his comedic timing and performances in scores of comedic roles. His memorable turn as the marine in Manila who adopts the dog "Tripoli" in a war propaganda masterpiece earned him recognition among film enthusiasts.
While he occasionally ventured into dramatic roles, it was his comedic prowess that truly shone. One of his enduring contributions to the entertainment world was providing the voice for Timothy Mouse in Disney's beloved 1941 cartoon, "Dumbo," a role that endeared him to generations of viewers.
In his personal life, Edward Brophy was married to Ann Slater from July 1, 1925, until his death on May 27, 1960, in Pacific Palisades, California. His dedication to both his career and personal life added depth to his legacy.
Edward Brophy's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry lies in his ability to bring humor and charm to the screen. His unique voice and memorable appearances contributed to the success of numerous films. While he may not be considered an icon or legend on the scale of some Hollywood stars, his enduring appeal and contributions to comedy remain appreciated by film enthusiasts, ensuring that he will always hold a special place in the world of entertainment.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Slowest Gun in the West (TV Movie) | The Bartender |
| 1960 | The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) | Seymour |
| 1959 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Gato Barch (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1958 | The Last Hurrah | 'Ditto' Boland |
| 1957 | Circus Boy (TV Series) | Jethroe Ames (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1957 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) | Moran (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1956 | Bundle of Joy | Dance Contest Judge (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1956 | Crossroads (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955–1956 | Damon Runyon Theater (TV Series) | Charlie | Blooch O'Dare |
| 1955 | The Millionaire (TV Series) | Preliminary Feeney |
| 1954 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | Philly the Weeper (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1953 | Mr. & Mrs. North (TV Series) | Rowdy |
| 1951 | Pier 23 | Prof. Shicker |
| 1951 | Roaring City | 'Professor' Frederick Simpson Schicker |
| 1951 | Danger Zone | Prof. Frederick Simpson Schicker |
| 1949 | Arson, Inc. | Pete Purdy |
| 1949 | The Price of Freedom (Short) | Man in restaurant (uncredited) |
| 1947 | It Happened on Fifth Avenue | Cecil Felton |
| 1946 | Renegade Girl | Bob Crandall |
| 1946 | The Falcon's Adventure | Goldie Locke (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1946 | Sweetheart of Sigma Chi | Arty |
| 1946 | Swing Parade of 1946 | Moose (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1946 | Girl on the Spot | Fingers Foley (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1945 | The Falcon in San Francisco | Goldie Locke (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1945 | Penthouse Rhythm | Bailey |
| 1945 | Wonder Man | Torso |
| 1945 | I'll Remember April | Shadow (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1945 | See My Lawyer | Otis Fillmore (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1944 | The Thin Man Goes Home | Brogan |
| 1944 | A Night of Adventure | Steve |
| 1944 | It Happened Tomorrow | Jake Shomberg |
| 1944 | Cover Girl | Joe - Cafe Owner (uncredited) |
| 1943 | A Scream in the Dark | Eddie Tough (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1943 | Destroyer | Casey (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1943 | Air Force | Marine Sgt. J.J. Callahan (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1943 | Lady Bodyguard | Harry Gargan |
| 1942 | Madame Spy | Mike Reese (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1942 | Larceny, Inc | Weepy Davis |
| 1942 | Broadway | Porky (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1942 | All Through the Night | Joe Denning |
| 1941 | Steel Against the Sky | Pete Evans |
| 1941 | The Gay Falcon | Detective Bates |
| 1941 | Dumbo | Timothy Q. Mouse (voice, uncredited) |
| 1941 | Buy Me That Town | Ziggy |
| 1941 | Nine Lives Are Not Enough | Officer Slattery |
| 1941 | A Dangerous Game | Bugsy (misspelled Bugs in on-screen credits) |
| 1941 | The Bride Came C.O.D. | Hinkle |
| 1941 | Thieves Fall Out | Rork |
| 1941 | Sleepers West | George Trautwein |
| 1940 | The Invisible Woman | Bill |
| 1940 | Sandy Gets Her Man | Fireman Junior |
| 1940 | The Great Profile | Sylvester |
| 1940 | Dance, Girl, Dance | Dwarfie Humblewinger |
| 1940 | Golden Gloves | Potsy Brill |
| 1940 | Alias the Deacon | Stuffy |
| 1940 | Calling Philo Vance | Ryan |
| 1939 | The Big Guy | Dippy |
| 1939 | The Amazing Mr. Williams | Buck Moseby (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1939 | Kid Nightingale | Mike Jordon (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1939 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | Newspaper Employee (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Golden Boy | Roxy Lewis (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1939 | The Kid from Kokomo | Eddie Black (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1939 | For Love or Money | Sleeper |
| 1939 | Society Lawyer | Max (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1939 | Pardon Our Nerve | Nosey Nelson |
| 1939 | You Can't Cheat an Honest Man | Corbett |
| 1938 | Gambling Ship | Cuthbert Innocent (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1938 | Vacation from Love | Barney Keenan, Band Leader |
| 1938 | Come on, Leathernecks! | Max 'Curly' Maxwell |
| 1938 | Passport Husband | Spike (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1938 | Gold Diggers in Paris | Mike Coogan (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1938 | Hold That Kiss | Al (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1938 | Romance on the Run | Whitey Whitehouse |
| 1938 | A Slight Case of Murder | Lefty |
| 1937 | Blossoms on Broadway | Mr. Prussic |
| 1937 | The Last Gangster | 'Fats' Garvey (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1937 | The Girl Said No | Pick |
| 1937 | Trapped by G-Men | Lefty |
| 1937 | Varsity Show | Mike Barclay (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1937 | The Great Gambini | 'Butch' |
| 1937 | Oh, Doctor | Meg Smith |
| 1937 | The Hit Parade | Mulrooney |
| 1937 | The Soldier and the Lady | Packer |
| 1937 | Jim Hanvey, Detective | Romo (as Edward S. Brophy) |
| 1936 | Career Woman | Doc Curley |
| 1936 | Hideaway Girl | Bugs Murphy |
| 1936 | Mister Cinderella | Detective McNutt |
| 1936 | All American Chump | Pudgy Murphy |
| 1936 | Wedding Present | Squinty |
| 1936 | Great Guy | Pete Reilly |
| 1936 | Spendthrift | Bill McGuire |
| 1936 | Kelly the Second | Ike Arnold |
| 1936 | The Case Against Mrs. Ames | Sid |
| 1936 | Woman Trap | George Meade (as Ed Brophy) |
| 1936 | Here Comes Trouble | Crowley |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Killer |
| 1935 | Show Them No Mercy! | Buzz |
| 1935 | Remember Last Night? | Maxie |
| 1935 | $1000 a Minute | Benny Dolan |
| 1935 | I Live My Life | Pete (uncredited) |
| 1935 | China Seas | Timmons |
| 1935 | She Gets Her Man | Flash (as Eddie Brophy) |
| 1935 | Mad Love | Rollo |
| 1935 | People Will Talk | Pete Ranse |
| 1935 | Naughty Marietta | Zeke |
| 1935 | The Whole Town's Talking | 'Slugs' Martin |
| 1935 | Shadow of Doubt | Fred Wilcox |
| 1935 | Devil Dogs of the Air | Undetermined Role (scenes deleted) |
| 1934 | Forsaking All Others | (scenes deleted) |
| 1934 | Sequoia | Forest Ranger Pete (uncredited) |
| 1934 | I'll Fix It | Tilly Tilson |
| 1934 | Evelyn Prentice | Eddie Delaney |
| 1934 | Death on the Diamond | Grogan |
| 1934 | Have a Heart | Mac (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Hide-Out | Detective Britt |
| 1934 | Paris Interlude | Ham |
| 1934 | The Thin Man | Morelli |
| 1934 | The Poor Rich | Flannigan |
| 1933 | Hello Pop (Short) | Brophy (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Broadway to Hollywood | Joe Mannion (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Beer and Pretzels (Short) | Theater Manager (uncredited) |
| 1933 | What-No Beer? | Spike Moran |
| 1932 | Flesh | Dolan - a Referee |
| 1932 | Prosperity | Ice Cream Salesman (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Speak Easily | Reno |
| 1932 | Skyscraper Souls | Man in Elevator (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Beast of the City | Police Dispatcher (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Freaks | Rollo Brother |
| 1932 | The Passionate Plumber | Man Outside Beauty Parlor (uncredited) |
| 1931 | The Big Shot | Undetermined Supporting Role (scenes deleted) |
| 1931 | The Champ | Tim |
| 1931 | A Dangerous Affair | Nelson |
| 1931 | Sporting Blood | Newsreel Cameraman (uncredited) |
| 1931 | A Free Soul | Slouch (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Parlor, Bedroom and Bath | Detective |
| 1930 | Paid | Burglar (uncredited) |
| 1930 | Remote Control | Al |
| 1930 | Those Three French Girls | Yank |
| 1930 | Doughboys | Sergeant Brophy |
| 1930 | Our Blushing Brides | Joe Munsey |
| 1930 | Estrellados | Assistant Director (uncredited) |
| 1930 | Free and Easy | Benny - The Stage Manager (uncredited) |
| 1928 | The Cameraman | Man in Bath-House (uncredited) |
| 1927 | West Point | Team Manager (uncredited) |
| 1927 | Spring Fever | Golf Game Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1921 | The Sign on the Door | Newspaper Photographer (uncredited) |
| 1920 | Yes or No | Tom Martin (as Edward S. Brophy) |
General:
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