Hubbry Logo
Alan CarneyAlan CarneyMain
Open search
Alan Carney
Community hub
Alan Carney
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Alan Carney
Alan Carney
Alan Carney
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Alan Carney (born David John Boughal; December 22, 1909 – May 2, 1973) was an American actor and comedian.

Key Information

Early life and career

[edit]

Born David John Boughal in Manhattan on December 22, 1909,[1][2][a] Carny was the youngest of four children born to Irish immigrants Ellen "Nellie"—née Kearney—and Edward Francis Boughal.[2][4][5][6] At some point between 1920 and 1929, the family relocated to Brooklyn.[7][8][9]

Upon finishing high school, Boughal began working in his father's print shop. Despite this fact, and despite his father's clearly expressed wishes, following in the latter's footsteps was never his intention. Instead, he hoped to become an actor. He began imitating customers of the shop, much to their dismay. He eventually appeared in an amateur night program, which resulted in his being added to a vaudeville act at Proctor's Theater in Yonkers, New York.[10] By this time, the aspiring performer had traded in his potentially problematic birth name for a slightly Americanized version of his mother's maiden name.[11] When the show's headliner, Marion Eddy, went on tour, it was Alan Carney that accompanied her.[10]

After performing in vaudeville for several years, Carney made the transition from stage to screen in 1943,[b] in the RKO Radio Pictures production, Gildersleeve's Bad Day.[17] As to how exactly this came to pass, there are at least two slightly varying published accounts, both involving Carney's discovery by film producer David Hempstead. The first, published in March 1943 by the St. Louis Post Dispatch, maintains that Hempstead, by mere happenstance, had caught Carney's act at the Crystal Terrace Room of St. Louis's Park Plaza Hotel and been sufficiently impressed to leave both his calling card and a standing invitation to come visit him in Hollywood, adding that Carney had eventually taken Hempstead up on the offer, leading to an extended RKO contract, and eventually his breakthrough performance as Cary Grant's bodyguard "Crunk" in the 1943 romantic comedy, Mr. Lucky.[10][c]

1943 also saw the pairing of Carney with comic Wally Brown as RKO's answer to Abbott and Costello.[18] In addition to their inexpensive starring vehicles, Brown and Carney co-starred in Step Lively, a musical remake of the Marx Brothers film Room Service, featuring George Murphy in the "Groucho" role, with Brown & Carney as his assistants.[19] The comedy team was also featured on a live USO tour arranged by the studio.[20]

After 1946's Genius at Work, RKO terminated the team's contracts.[21] Alan Carney continued in films and television as a supporting player, working prolifically for Walt Disney the 1960s and 1970s. One of Carney's best latter-day roles was as Mayor Dawgmeat in the 1959 musical film Li'l Abner. On television he played Harry Nolan in "Have Gun Will Travel" S1 E32 "The Five Books of Owen Deaver" which aired 4/25/1958.

Carney appeared with Wally Brown in Who Was That Lady? (1960) and in Walt Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), but they never appeared in the same scenes together. The duo was slated to be reunited for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), but Brown died not long before filming began.

Carney made his last film appearance in Walt Disney Productions' Herbie Rides Again, released in 1974 after his death.[17]

Personal life and death

[edit]

In 1936, Carney married Elinor D. Miller.[10][22] They divorced sometime between 1947 and 1953.[23][24]

Carney died in Van Nuys, California, on May 2, 1973, at age 63, from a heart attack brought on by the excitement of winning the daily double at Hollywood Park Racetrack.[25]

Filmography

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alan Carney

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alan Carney (December 22, 1909 – May 2, 1973) was an American actor and comedian, renowned for his roots and film career spanning over three decades, particularly his comedic with in productions during the . Born David Boughal in , New York, to Irish immigrant parents Edward and Nellie (Kearney) Boughal, Carney grew up in the borough and began performing in acts before transitioning to cinema. Carney made his film debut in 1943, appearing in films such as Mr. Lucky, but achieved prominence through his on-screen teaming with Wally Brown from 1943 to 1946, appearing in a series of B-movies such as Adventures of a Rookie (1943), Seven Days Ashore (1944), and Zombies on Broadway (1945), where they emulated the successful Abbott and Costello dynamic with Carney often playing the dim-witted sidekick. Following the duo's breakup, Carney continued in supporting roles, frequently portraying authority figures like police sergeants in notable films including Mr. Lucky (1943), Li'l Abner (1959) as the Mayor, The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). In the 1960s and early 1970s, he became a familiar face in Walt Disney Studios productions, contributing to comedies like Herbie Rides Again (1974, released posthumously), and made guest appearances on television series such as The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Daniel Boone. Carney passed away from a heart attack on May 2, 1973, in Van Nuys, California, at age 63, shortly after winning a bet at Hollywood Park Racetrack; he is buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, California.

Early life

Birth and family

Alan Carney was born David Boughal on December 22, 1909, in , New York, to Irish immigrant parents Edward Boughal and Nellie (née Kearney) Boughal. The family resided in during his early years.

Vaudeville beginnings

Alan Carney entered the entertainment industry through . His early career began on the Loew's vaudeville circuit, a prominent chain of theaters that featured live variety acts across the . Carney honed his comedic talents as a dialect comedian during the late and , performing in live theater circuits where he specialized in character-driven humor often involving ethnic accents and exaggerated mannerisms typical of the era's stage. These acts typically involved solo routines or small ensembles, allowing him to build a reputation for his lugubrious expressions amid the fast-paced, multi-act bills of the time. His work in this period focused on small-time and medium-time houses, navigating the competitive landscape of live performance where acts had to captivate audiences in short slots to secure repeat bookings. Despite years of stage experience, Carney's pre-film credits remained limited, consisting primarily of uncredited or minor appearances without widespread documentation. The transition to screen opportunities proved challenging, as the decline of in the early due to the rise of motion pictures and radio forced many performers like Carney to adapt to new mediums, often starting with supporting roles after establishing nightclub and stage credentials.

Career

Partnership with Wally Brown

In 1943, RKO Studios deliberately paired Alan Carney with to create a new comedy team, positioning them as a budget-friendly alternative to the popular Universal duo . Both performers drew from their vaudeville backgrounds, where Carney had honed his dialect comedy and Brown his straight-man timing, providing a stage-honed foundation for their rapid-fire banter and physical gags. Carney's entry into RKO came earlier that year with supporting roles, including as in Gildersleeve's Bad Day and as the character in Mr. Lucky, both of which showcased his knack for bumbling sidekicks. The official debut of the Brown and Carney team followed soon after in The Adventures of a (1943), where they played hapless soldiers Jerry Miles and Mike Strager, navigating military mishaps through routines and mistaken identities. The duo's films during emphasized their chemistry as the scheming Brown leading the dim-witted Carney into comedic chaos, often in soldier or civilian settings that mirrored wartime escapism. Standout entries included Step Lively (1944), a musical where they tangled with gangsters amid song-and-dance numbers, and Zombies on Broadway (1945), a horror spoof featuring bumbling promoters encountering actual zombies on a tropical island, complete with exaggerated frights and chases. Over their three-year run, Brown and Carney amassed more than 10 joint credits, blending vaudeville-derived with quick-witted to deliver lighthearted, low-stakes entertainment. By 1946, as the war ended and audience tastes shifted away from such formulaic pairings, the team's popularity waned, leading to the dissolution of their partnership after Genius at Work, a mystery comedy involving radio sleuths unraveling murders. RKO's attempt to sustain the duo fizzled amid competition from more established acts, marking the close of their brief but prolific Hollywood collaboration.

Post-war film and television roles

After the disbanding of his comedy duo with in 1946, which had established him in Hollywood through a series of RKO features, Alan Carney transitioned to solo supporting roles that highlighted his comedic timing and character versatility. One early example of this shift, overlapping with the duo's final wartime productions, was his portrayal of the Navajo Room bartender in the 1943 comedy Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event. In the late and , Carney solidified his status as a reliable , often appearing in Westerns and light comedies. He played Daniel D. Dogmeat in the 1959 musical adaptation , a role that showcased his ability to embody folksy, humorous authority figures in ensemble casts. His work extended to high-profile films like (1960), where he appeared as a in John Wayne's gold-rush adventure, and The Comancheros (1961), contributing to the film's saloon scenes as the Stillwater in this action-packed Western directed by . These roles demonstrated Carney's adaptability across genres, from broad comedy to rugged frontier tales. Carney also broke into television during this period, leveraging his film experience for guest spots and a lead role. He starred as the bumbling husband in the short-lived ABC sitcom Take It from Me (1953–1954), a domestic centered on a New York family that ran for 11 episodes. Notable guest appearances included in The Jack Benny Program's "Modern Prison Sketch" (1962), Officer Mulcahey in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis' "Taken to the Cleaners" (1960), and Harry Nolan in Have Gun – Will Travel's "The Five Books of Owen Deaver" (1958), where he supported the series' Western drama with his trademark wry humor. It is worth noting a frequent mix-up in credits: roles in the British wartime films (1940) and (1942) are often erroneously attributed to Alan Carney but actually belong to the English actor George Carney, who played Bates in the former and Mr. Blake in the latter.)

Disney Productions work

In the early 1960s, Alan Carney transitioned to a prominent role within Productions, contributing to the studio's lineup of whimsical live-action comedies during its expansion. His debut came in the science-fiction The (1961), where he portrayed the First Referee in a supporting capacity that highlighted his knack for authoritative yet humorous bit parts. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration, with Carney embodying the reliable in Disney's ensemble-driven narratives. Carney reprised a referee role in the sequel (1963), further cementing his presence in the studio's fantastical sports-themed escapades. He continued with small but memorable appearances in (1967) as Joe Turner, a Western tale of mishaps. That same year, he played the Grocer in Monkeys, Go Home!, adding to the story of a chimpanzee-run olive farm. His tenure peaked with the role of in the supernatural comedy (1968), where his deadpan delivery complemented the film's ghostly antics. Carney's final Disney contribution was in (1974), released posthumously, in which he appeared as the Judge with Cigar at Chicken Run, providing a brief but characteristic touch of wry humor to the Volkswagen Beetle sequel. Over the course of the decade, he amassed six credits with the studio, often in whimsical supporting roles that supported Disney's renaissance in accessible, family-oriented live-action features.

Personal life

Marriage

Alan Carney married Elinor D. Miller in 1936 following a application issued in that year. Their marriage lasted until a sometime between 1947—when they were still listed as husband and wife in social notices—and 1953, when Miller remarried. The couple had no children together. After the divorce, Elinor Carney (later Wilson following her 1953 marriage to comedian Alan Wilson) had no offspring and remained childless throughout her life. She pursued a career in and services, including performing as a dancer with and owning Miss Carney’s Beauty Bistro in Sherman Oaks for 25 years, where she served clients from the entertainment industry and demonstrated strong community involvement through her business and social contributions.

Death

Alan Carney died on May 2, 1973, in Van Nuys, California, at the age of 63, from a heart attack. The heart attack struck shortly after he won a daily double bet at Hollywood Park Racetrack. He was buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, Los Angeles County, California. Contemporary obituaries, including one in The New York Times on May 5, 1973, highlighted tributes to his comedic career in vaudeville, films, and television. At the time of his death, Carney was engaged in ongoing work with Disney Productions, which led to the posthumous release of his final film appearance in Herbie Rides Again in 1974.

Filmography

Films

Alan Carney appeared in more than 40 feature between 1943 and 1974, often in comedic supporting roles, including several RKO B-movies as part of the comedy duo with and later in productions. The following is a chronological list of his verified film credits, with role descriptions where available; this compilation draws from reputable film databases and excludes television appearances.

1943

  • Gangway for Tomorrow as Swallow
  • Mr. Lucky as Crunk
  • Gildersleeve's Bad Day as
  • Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event as Bartender
  • Around the World as Joe Gimpus

1944

  • The Adventures of a Rookie as Mike Strager (starring duo role with as Jerry Miles)
  • Seven Days Ashore as Orval Martin (starring duo role with )
  • Step Lively as Space (starring duo role with )

1945

  • Zombies on Broadway as Mike Strager (starring duo role with as Jerry Miles)
  • Radio Stars on Parade as Mike Strager (starring duo role with )

1946

  • Genius at Work as Mike Strager (starring duo role with )
  • Girl Rush as Mike Strager (final starring duo role with )

1947

  • The Pretender as Victor Korrin

1949

  • Hideout as Evans

1959

  • Li'l Abner as Mayor Daniel D. Dogmeat

1960

1961

1962

  • Swingin' Along as Officer Sullivan

1963

  • as Referee (Disney production)
  • It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World as Police Sergeant (solo supporting role)

1965

  • Sylvia as Gus

1967

  • Monkeys, Go Home! as Grocer (Disney production)

1968

1970

  • Flap (also known as Nobody Loves Flapping Eagle) as Member of (uncredited)

1971

  • Wild Rovers as Palace Bartender

1974

  • Herbie Rides Again as Judge (posthumous release; filmed prior to Carney's death in 1973)
Note that certain online sources occasionally misattribute early roles to Alan Carney that actually belong to his brother, the actor George Carney, such as the part in Convoy (1940) and the minor role in In Which We Serve (1942).

Television

Carney's television career began in the early 1950s with a starring role in the short-lived ABC sitcom The Jean Carroll Show, subtitled Take It from Me, which aired from November 1953 to January 1954. In the series, he portrayed Herbie, the husband to comedian Jean Carroll's character, in a domestic comedy format that highlighted his vaudeville-honed comedic timing. The show, produced during the transition from radio to television, incorporated live-broadcast elements typical of early network programming, though it lasted only nine episodes due to low ratings. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Carney made numerous guest appearances on popular anthology and comedy series, often in comic relief roles that echoed his film persona as a bumbling everyman. He appeared on The Jack Benny Program in the 1950s, including a 1950 episode as a warden, leveraging the live-audience format to deliver physical comedy. In 1958, he guest-starred on Have Gun – Will Travel as Harry Nolan in the episode "The Five Books of Owen Deaver," providing humorous contrast in the Western drama. His 1960 appearance on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis as Officer Mulcahey in "Taken to the Cleaners" showcased his ability to blend slapstick with ensemble dynamics in youth-oriented sitcoms. Carney continued with episodic roles in the 1960s, appearing in anthologies and Westerns that emphasized television's serialized, character-driven storytelling distinct from feature films. Notable credits include Thriller (1960) as Burgin in "The Cheaters," Goodyear Theatre (1959) in "Coogan's Reward," The Dick Powell Show (1961) as Harry, The Donna Reed Show (1962) as Mr. Pruitt in "The Golden Trap," The Tall Man (1961) in "The Liberty Belle," Our Man Higgins (1963) in "Half a Higgins," Follow the Sun (1961) as Quincy Knowles, The Ann Sothern Show (1958) as Joey, and Alcoa Theatre (1957) as Louie. He returned to Have Gun – Will Travel in 1962 as Teague in "Justice in Hell." Later, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Carney took minor roles such as a stagecoach driver on Daniel Boone (1967) in "Take the Southbound Stage," a guest spot on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1967), and a bartender on The Name of the Game (1968) and Sarge (1971). These roughly 15 appearances underscored his versatility in television's fast-paced, episode-specific format, often involving live or taped elements that allowed for quick character turns without the narrative depth of cinema.

References

  1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/242806398/alan-carney
  2. http://www.classicmoviehub.com/bio/alan-carney
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0138768/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0138768/bio/
  5. https://www.nndb.com/people/204/000243472/
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/05/archives/alan-carney-dies-comedian-was-63.html
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/1943/07/14/archives/rko-will-produce-40-feature-films-194344-season-program-to-include.html
  8. https://travsd.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/stars-of-vaudeville-849-alan-carney/
  9. https://cinemasentries.com/the-rko-brown-and-carney-comedy-collection-dvd-review-the-lonely-quartet-of-a-forgotten-duo/
  10. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/67733
  11. https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2015/02/brown_and_carney.html
  12. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/87562/radio-stars-on-parade
  13. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3490/mexican-spitfires-blessed-event
  14. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/81424/lil-abner
  15. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/85228/north-to-alaska
  16. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/18069/the-comancheros
  17. http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/JeanCarrollShow_TakeItFromMe.htm
  18. http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/JB/JackBennyProgram_12_%281961-62%29.htm
  19. http://ctva.biz/US/Western/HaveGunWillTravel_01_%281957-58%29.htm
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062737/fullcredits
  21. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/105804-alan-carney
  22. https://www.newspapers.com/image/174423496/?clipping_id=169463608
  23. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-windsor-star/169466888/
  24. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ladailynews/name/elinor-wilson-obituary?id=27662462
  25. https://www.kurtshistoricsites.com/alan-carney/
  26. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071607/fullcredits/
  27. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/alan_carney
  28. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/75985/gangway-for-tomorrow
  29. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/860/around-the-world
  30. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1420/the-adventures-of-a-rookie
  31. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/96672/zombies-on-broadway
  32. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/77953/hideout
  33. https://www.classicmoviehub.com/bio/alan-carney
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054594/
  35. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/90803/son-of-flubber
  36. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/79559/its-a-mad-mad-mad-mad-world
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065726/
  38. https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com/actors/alan-carney
  39. https://watch.plex.tv/person/alan-carney
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597631/characters/nm0138768/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016934/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0597631/
  43. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/alan-carney/credits/3030011493/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.