Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly (July 11, 1923 – January 20, 2004) was a New York City-born American actor[1] who later left show business to become a physician.
Bernard Punsly | |
|---|---|
 Punsly in trailer to "Little Tough Guy" (1938) | |
| Born | July 11, 1923 New York, New York, U.S.A. |
| Died | January 20, 2004 (aged 80) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1937–1943 |
His last name was often spelled incorrectly in film credits as Punsley.
Early life and acting career
Punsly was born on July 11, 1923 in New York City. In 1935, He auditioned for a part in the play Dead End, because he thought it might be fun. The success of the play led them appearing in a film adaption of the play. The success of that film led to Punsly (and other actors from that film) appearing in a series of "Dead End Kids" films. He later appeared in an offshoot group of films starring "The Little Tough Guys". He appeared with actors such as Ronald Reagan, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, John Garfield, and Humphrey Bogart in these films.
After acting
Punsley joined the army after his last film, Mug Town, where he received medical training. Even as an actor, he was known to read medical books in his spare time and upon discharge from the army, Punsley entered the Medical College of the University of Georgia, subsequently obtaining his medical degree. He returned to California and set up a medical practice in Torrance, never returning to show business.
He became chief of staff in the South Bay Hospital in Redondo Beach, California.
Personal Life and death
Punsly married a woman named Lynne[2] and had two children, Brian and Richard.
On January 20, 2004, at age 80, he died of cancer in a hospital in Torrance, California.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Dead End | Milty | |
| 1938 | The Big Broadcast of 1938 | Caddy | Uncredited |
| 1938 | Crime School | Fats | |
| 1938 | Little Tough Guy | Ape | |
| 1938 | Angels with Dirty Faces | Hunky | |
| 1939 | They Made Me a Criminal | Milt | |
| 1939 | Hell's Kitchen | Patrick Henry 'Ouch' Rosenbloom | |
| 1939 | The Angels Wash Their Faces | Sleepy Arkelian | |
| 1939 | On Dress Parade | Dutch | |
| 1940 | You're Not So Tough | Ape | |
| 1940 | Junior G-Men | Lug | Serial |
| 1940 | Give Us Wings | Ape | |
| 1941 | Hit the Road | ||
| 1941 | Mob Town | ||
| 1941 | Sea Raiders | Butch | Serial |
| 1942 | Junior G-Men of the Air | 'Creaseball' Plunkett | Serial |
| 1942 | Tough as They Come | Ape | |
| 1942 | Junior Army | Bad Eye - Gang Member | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Mug Town | Ape | Final film[3] |
References
- Lentz, Harris M. III (2005). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2004: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 288. ISBN 9780786421039. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
- Associated Press (24 January 2004). "Bernard Punsly, 80, Actor in Dead End Kids". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- "In Remembrance: Bernard Punsly". Film Buff Online. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
