Acting
Douglas Spencer
EN, NL cinema · 61 credits
Born
10 February 1910
Died
6 October 1960 (aged 50)
Birthplace
Princeton, Illinois, USA
Also known as William Henry Mesenkop
Douglas Spencer (born July 4, 1910 – March 5, 1960) was an American actor, best known for his roles in classic science fiction films and film noirs during the 1940s and 1950s. Spencer was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was drawn to the entertainment industry early on and began his career in theater before transitioning to films. He often played characters with a tough, no-nonsense edge, making him a popular choice for a variety of roles in films of the time. Spencer's big break came when he landed a role in the influential science fiction film *The Thing from Another World* (1951), directed by Christian Nyby and produced by Howard Hawks. In the film, Spencer played the role of a reporter named Ned Scott, who is among the group of scientists and military personnel investigating a mysterious alien threat in the Arctic. *The Thing from Another World* became a classic of the genre and remains one of Spencer’s most memorable roles. In addition to his work in science fiction, Spencer appeared in several other films across a range of genres. He was frequently cast in supporting roles in film noirs, thrillers, and dramas, and his distinctive, gravelly voice and sharp screen presence made him a recognizable face in Hollywood. Other notable films he appeared in include *The Big Clock* (1948), a crime thriller directed by John Farrow, and *The Green Glove* (1952), a suspenseful drama. Douglas Spencer was married to actress *Ann Wedgeworth*, and their marriage lasted for several years. After the height of his film career, Spencer continued working in television and on stage, although he never achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries. Spencer’s career was cut short when he died from cancer at the age of 49, on March 5, 1960. Despite his relatively brief career, he remains fondly remembered by fans of classic sci-fi and noir films. Douglas Spencer's legacy is primarily tied to his memorable performance in *The Thing from Another World*, but his work across various genres helped solidify him as a dependable and versatile character actor in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His contributions to the sci-fi and noir genres continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts today.
Known for
Filmography
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie
as The Monitor of Metaluna (archive footage)
The Sins of Rachel Cade
as Doctor Bikel
The Diary of Anne Frank
as Kraler
Cole Younger, Gunfighter
as Marshal Fred Woodruff
Saddle the Wind
as Hemp Scribner
The Three Faces of Eve
as Mr. Black
Short Cut to Hell
as Train Conductor
Omar Khayyam
as Pigeon Keeper
The Unholy Wife
as Judge
Pardners
as Smith
Man from Del Rio
as Sheriff Jack Tillman
This Island Earth
as The Monitor of Metaluna
Smoke Signal
as Garode
A Man Alone
as Henry Slocum
The Kentuckian
as Frome Brother (uncredited)
River of No Return
as Sam Benson
The Raid
as Rev. Douglas
Shane
as Axel 'Swede' Shipstead
The Glass Wall
as Inspector Bailey
Houdini
as Simms
She's Back on Broadway
as Lew Ludlow
Trouble Along the Way
as Father Procurator aka George
Monkey Business
as Dr. Brunner
Untamed Frontier
as Clayton Vance
Something to Live For
as Joey (uncredited)
The Thing from Another World
as Ned 'Scotty' Scott
The Redhead and the Cowboy
as Perry (Union agent)
A Place in the Sun
as Boatkeeper (uncredited)
Warpath
as Kelso
Come Fill the Cup
as Ike Bashaw
Father of the Bride
as Fritz the Organist (uncredited)
Union Station
as Stationmaster (uncredited)
Follow Me Quietly
as Phony Judge
It Happens Every Spring
as Train Conductor (uncredited)
Bride of Vengeance
as False Physician
Trapped
as Sam Hooker (uncredited)
The Heiress
as Minister (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue
as Actor in Theatre Group (uncredited)
Alias Nick Beal
as Henry T. Finch
My Friend Irma
as Interior Decorator (uncredited)
Night Has a Thousand Eyes
as Dr. Ramsdell
The Big Clock
as Bert Finch
The Sainted Sisters
as Townsman (uncredited)
Adventure Island
as Prisoner sharing cell with Herrick and Lochlin (uncredited)
The Dark Corner
as Deli Customer (uncredited)
The Lost Weekend
as Hospital Patient Seeing Imaginary Beetles (uncredited)
Incendiary Blonde
as New Years Eve Party Patron (uncredited)
Kitty
as Guest (uncredited)
Double Indemnity
as Lou Schwartz (uncredited)
Princess O'Rourke
as Pilot (uncredited)
Fall In
as Military Policeman
A Date with the Falcon
as Witness at Accident (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
as Hotel Guest
Lady Scarface
as Police Secretary
Christmas in July
as Man Listening to Radio (uncredited)
Little Nellie Kelly
as Policeman in Dance Line (uncredited)
Men Against the Sky
as Mechanic
Lucky Partners
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Allegheny Uprising
as Prisoner in Irons
The Day the Bookies Wept
as Auction Spectator (uncredited)