Richard Fiske
Encyclopedia
Richard Fiske was an American film actor. He appeared in over 80 films between 1938 and 1942.
in 1938, and appeared regularly in the studio's "B" pictures, serials, and short subjects, including major roles in the popular serials The Spider's Web
(1938) and Flying G-Men
(1939), frequent castings in the Blondie
, The Lone Wolf, and Boston Blackie
series, and equally frequent work with short-subject comedians Charley Chase
, Andy Clyde
, and Buster Keaton
.
in 1940's Boobs in Arms
. This performance would be recycled three years later in Dizzy Pilots
.
, while serving with in the 2nd Division of the 9th Infantry. 1st Lieutenant
Fiske (Potts) was 28 years of age.
Fiske was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
, Bronze Star Medal
, and several other military honors. He is buried at Brittany American Cemetery in France.
Career
Born Thomas Richard Potts, Fiske was born to Frank and Bernice Potts. The tall, handsome young actor signed a contract with Columbia PicturesColumbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
in 1938, and appeared regularly in the studio's "B" pictures, serials, and short subjects, including major roles in the popular serials The Spider's Web
The Spider's Web
The Spider's Web is a Columbia Pictures movie serial based on the pulp magazine character The Spider. The 15-chapter adventure was directed by serial and western specialist Ray Taylor and comedy and serial veteran James W. Horne...
(1938) and Flying G-Men
Flying G-Men
Flying G-Men is a Columbia Film serial. It was the sixth of the fifty seven serials released by Columbia.-Plot:Three government aviators, the "Flying G-Men" of the title - one of whom is disguised as The Black Falcon, fight to protect America from an enemy spy ring and to avenge the death of the...
(1939), frequent castings in the Blondie
Blondie (film)
Blondie is a 1938 movie directed by Frank Strayer, based on the comic strip of the same name. The screenplay was written by Chic Young and Richard Flournoy....
, The Lone Wolf, and Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie
Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle . Originally a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's novels, he became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend."-Literature:Jack...
series, and equally frequent work with short-subject comedians Charley Chase
Charley Chase
Charley Chase was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his work in Hal Roach short film comedies...
, Andy Clyde
Andy Clyde
Andy Clyde was a Scottish movie and TV actor whose career spanned more than four decades. He broke into silent films in 1925 as a Mack Sennett comic...
, and Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
.
The Three Stooges
Fiske is best known by modern viewers for his portrayals of neurotic foils to The Three Stooges. Perhaps his most familiar role is that of the irate husband-turned-drill sergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in 1940's Boobs in Arms
Boobs in Arms
Boobs in Arms is the 52nd short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
. This performance would be recycled three years later in Dizzy Pilots
Dizzy Pilots
Dizzy Pilots is the 74th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
.
Death
Fiske's brief acting career was cut short when he was drafted into the United States army in 1942. He was killed in action two years later at La Croix-AvranchinLa Croix-Avranchin
La Croix-Avranchin is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France.Its postal code is 50240. The INSEE code is 50154....
, while serving with in the 2nd Division of the 9th Infantry. 1st Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Fiske (Potts) was 28 years of age.
Fiske was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and several other military honors. He is buried at Brittany American Cemetery in France.
Selected filmography
- Oily to Bed, Oily to RiseOily to Bed, Oily to RiseOily to Bed, Oily to Rise is the 42nd short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:Once again, the Stooges are three hapless tramps...
(1939) - Pest from the WestPest from the WestPest from the West is the first short subject starring American comedian Buster Keaton made for Columbia Pictures. Keaton made a total of ten films for the studio between 1939 and 1941.-Synopsis:...
(1939) - Three Sappy PeopleThree Sappy PeopleThree Sappy People is the 43rd short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1939) - You Nazty Spy! (1940)
- Boobs in ArmsBoobs in ArmsBoobs in Arms is the 52nd short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1940) - The Devil CommandsThe Devil CommandsThe Devil Commands is a 1941 horror film directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Boris Karloff. The working title of the film was The Devil Said No. In it, a man obsessed with contacting his dead wife falls in with a sinister phony medium. The Devil Commands is one of the many films from the...
(1941) - All the World's a StoogeAll the World's a StoogeAll the World's a Stooge is the 55th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1941) - Time Out for RhythmTime Out for RhythmTime Out for Rhythm is a 1941 musical comedy film starring Rudy Vallée, Ann Miller and The Three Stooges. Alan Hale, Jr., best known for his role as Skipper Jonas Grumby on Gilligan's Island, also makes a brief appearance early on, marking one of his first film appearances.To date, there has been...
(1941) - In the Sweet Pie and PieIn the Sweet Pie and PieIn the Sweet Pie and Pie is the 58th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1941) - The Major and the MinorThe Major and the MinorThe Major and the Minor is a 1942 American comedy film starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland. It was the first American film directed by Billy Wilder, and launched his "incomparable" directing career...
(1942) - Dizzy PilotsDizzy PilotsDizzy Pilots is the 74th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1943) [archive footage]