Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Bud Jamison
View on Wikipedia
William Edward "Bud" Jamison (February 15, 1894 – September 30, 1944)[1] was an American film actor. He appeared in 450 films between 1915 and 1944, notably appearing in many shorts with The Three Stooges as a foil.
Key Information
Career
[edit]
Born in Vallejo, California, Jamison joined the ranks of stage and vaudeville performers making movies in California. Jamison's husky build and willingness to participate in messy slapstick and rowdy action guaranteed him work in silent comedies. In 1915 he was a member of Charlie Chaplin's stock company at Essanay Studios. From there he moved to the Hal Roach studio, playing hot-tempered comic foils for Harold Lloyd, Snub Pollard, and Stan Laurel. In the 1920s, he joined Universal Pictures' short-comedy contingent, and later worked in Mack Sennett comedies.
In his earliest films, Jamison looked too young to be totally convincing in heavy makeup as a veteran policeman, detective, or authority figure. As the years progressed, he grew into these roles, and by the time sound films arrived he was well established as a reliable character comedian.

Jamison had a superb tenor singing voice, and loved to sing when not filming. Sound movies gave producers a chance to exploit his singing, and for the rest of his career he would occasionally be called upon to vocalize in films. A brief series of color travelogues filmed in 1930, featured Jamison and comic Jimmie Adams as "The Rolling Stones", two singing vagabonds seeing the country. Jamison would be hired just for his singing, as in Pot o' Gold where he plays a vagrant who harmonizes in jail.
Jamison continued to play cops, robbers, bosses, servants, and various professional men who clash with comedy stars. He appeared opposite Bing Crosby, W. C. Fields, and Andy Clyde in Sennett's talkies. Like other members of the two-reel-comedy community, he found work at various studios: Hal Roach (with Thelma Todd and ZaSu Pitts, and Charley Chase), Educational Pictures (with Buster Keaton), RKO Radio Pictures (with Clark & McCullough, Leon Errol, and Edgar Kennedy), and Columbia Pictures (with Keaton, Clyde, Chase, Harry Langdon, and The Three Stooges, among many others).
The Three Stooges
[edit]
Jamison acted at Columbia Pictures in their short subjects, primarily with the Three Stooges. He appeared in 38 Stooge entries over 10 years, including their debut, Woman Haters (1934). Jamison was a comic foil for the team. He also sings "You'll Never Know Just What Tears Are" in the Three Stooges film A Ducking They Did Go (1939). Stooge leader Moe Howard (who referred to Jamison as "Buddy Jamison") recalled singing barbershop harmony with Charley Chase, actor Vernon Dent, and Jamison many times on movie sets.[2] His last episode appearance with the Three Stooges was in Crash Goes the Hash (1944) as the majordomo, Lord Flint.
Death
[edit]There are conflicting reports regarding Jamison's cause of death.[2] He died on September 30, 1944, at age 50, one day after completing work on the film Nob Hill.[2] Some sources indicate that Jamison developed a blood infection or kidney cancer and because he was a devout Christian Scientist, refused blood transfusions that resulted in his death.[2] However, several surviving family members have stated that Jamison had been suffering from phlebitis in his leg during the final week of filming Nob Hill and refused to seek medical help due to his "the show must go on" mentality (as opposed to religious reasons).[2] Jamison's family was told that the phlebitis caused a blood clot which traveled to his lung and caused his death.[2]
Jamison's death certificate lists mesenteric thrombosis as the official cause of death, with carcinoma of the right kidney also noted as a condition.[2] Jamison was also a Type 2 diabetic in his later years. He is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.[2]
Filmography
[edit]- A Night Out (1915, Short) as Headwaiter (uncredited)
- The Champion (1915, Short) as Bob Uppercut - Champion (uncredited)
- In the Park (1915, Short) as Edna's Beau (uncredited)
- A Jitney Elopement (1915, Short) as Cop with Baton (uncredited)
- The Tramp (1915, Short) as Third Thief (uncredited)
- By the Sea (1915, Short) as Man in Top Hat (uncredited)
- His Regeneration (1915, Short) (uncredited)
- Shanghaied (1915, Short) as Second Mate - The Other Man (uncredited)
- Burlesque on Carmen (1915, Short) as Soldier of the Guard (uncredited)
- Luke Pipes the Pippins (1916, Short)
- Police (1916, Short) as Third Flophouse Customer (uncredited)
- Luke's Double (1916, Short)
- The Floorwalker (1916, Short) as Small Role (uncredited)
- Luke's Late Lunchers (1916, Short)
- Luke Laughs Last (1916, Short)
- Luke's Fatal Flivver (1916, Short)
- Luke's Society Mixup (1916, Short)
- Luke, Crystal Gazer (1916, Short)
- Luke's Lost Lamb (1916, Short)
- Luke Does the Midway (1916, Short)
- Luke Joins the Navy (1916, Short)
- Luke and the Mermaids (1916, Short)
- Luke's Speedy Club Life (1916, Short)
- Luke and the Bang-Tails (1916, Short)
- Luke, the Chauffeur (1916, Short)
- Luke's Preparedness Preparations (1916, Short)
- Luke, the Gladiator (1916)
- Luke, Patient Provider (1916, Short)
- Luke's Newsie Knockout (1916, Short)
- Luke's Movie Muddle (1916, Short) as Angry customer
- Luke, Rank Impersonator (1916, Short)
- Luke's Fireworks Fizzle (1916, Short)
- Luke Locates the Loot (1916, Short)
- Luke's Shattered Sleep (1916, Short)
- Luke's Lost Liberty (1917) as Large Tramp
- Luke's Busy Day (1917, Short)
- Luke's Trolley Troubles (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke, Lawyer (1917, Short)
- Luke Wins Ye Ladye Faire (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke's Lively Life (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke on Tin Can Alley (1917, Short) as Cafe owner
- Lonesome Luke's Honeymoon (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke, Plumber (1917, Short)
- Stop! Luke! Listen! (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke, Messenger (1917, Short) as Paper Hanger (uncredited)
- Lonesome Luke, Mechanic (1917, Short)
- Lonesome Luke's Wild Women (1917, Short)
- Over the Fence (1917, Short) as The Boss
- Lonesome Luke Loses Patients (1917, Short)
- Pinched (1917, Short)
- Birds of a Feather (1917, Short)
- From Laramie to London (1917, Short)
- Love, Laughs and Lather (1917, Short)
- Clubs Are Trump (1917, Short)
- We Never Sleep (1917, Short)
- Move On (1917, Short)
- Bashful (1917, Short) (uncredited)
- Step Lively (1917, Short)
- Here Come the Girls (1918, Short)
- A Dog's Life (1918, Short) as Thief (uncredited)
- It's a Wild Life (1918, Short)
- The Non-Stop Kid (1918, Short)
- Two-Gun Gussie (1918, Short)
- Kicking the Germ Out of Germany (1918, Short)
- Triple Trouble (1918, Short) as Tramp (uncredited)
- Two Scrambled (1918, Short)
- Bees in His Bonnet (1918, Short)
- Swing Your Partners (1918, Short)
- No Place Like Jail (1918, Short)
- Why Pick on Me? (1918, Short)
- Nothing But Trouble (1918, Short)
- Just Rambling Along (1918, Short) as Chef
- Hear 'Em Rave (1918, Short)
- Take a Chance (1918, Short)
- She Loves Me Not (1918, Short)
- Do You Love Your Wife? (1919, Short) as Man tending dog
- Wanted - $5,000 (1919, Short)
- Going! Going! Gone! (1919, Short) as Professor Goulash (uncredited)
- Hustling for Health (1919, Short) as Mr. Spotless (uncredited)
- Ask Father (1919, Short) as Guardian at the Door (uncredited)
- On the Fire (1919, Short)
- Hoots Mon! (1919, Short)
- I'm on My Way (1919, Short) (uncredited)
- Look Out Below (1919, Short)
- The Dutiful Dub (1919, Short)
- Young Mr. Jazz (1919, Short) as The Girl's Daddy (uncredited)
- Ring Up the Curtain (1919, Short) as An Actor
- Back to the Woods (1919, Short)
- Pistols for Breakfast (1919, Short)
- Off the Trolley (1919, Short)
- Spring Fever (1919, Short)
- A Jazzed Honeymoon (1919, Short)
- Count Your Change (1919, Short)
- Chop Suey & Co. (1919, Short)
- Heap Big Chief (1919, Short)
- Don't Shove (1919, Short) as Harold's rival
- Be My Wife (1919, Short)
- Laughing Gas (1920, Short)
- Arizona Express (1924) as Thug Driver (uncredited)
- Dante's Inferno (1924) as The Butler (uncredited)
- The Cyclone Rider (1924) as Romulus
- Darwin Was Right (1924) as Alexander
- Troubles of a Bride (1924) as Architect
- Wolves of the Air (1927) as 'Short-Cut' McGee
- Play Safe (1927) as Big Bill
- Long Pants (1927) as Minor Role (uncredited)
- His First Flame (1927) as Hector Benedict
- Closed Gates (1927) as Pat
- Ladies Beware (1927) as Tubbs
- Jake the Plumber (1927) as Fogarty
- A Texas Steer (1927) as Othello
- Buck Privates (1928) as Cupid Dodds
- The Chaser (1928) as The Husband's Buddy
- Heart Trouble (1928) as Contractor
- The Grand Parade (1930) as Honey Sullivan
- Match Play (1930, Short) as Bud Harvey
- Moby Dick (1930) as Shipping Agent - 'Boston Lass' (uncredited)
- Her Man (1930) as Man in Derby (uncredited)
- Sweepstakes (1931) as Singing Waiter in Cantina (uncredited)
- Make Me a Star (1932) as Actor in 'Wide Open Spaces' (uncredited)
- The Dentist (1932, Short) as Charley Frobisher (uncredited)
- The Candid Camera (1932, short) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Hypnotized (1932) as Det. McCarty (uncredited)
- Blue of the Night (1933, Short) as Cop (uncredited)
- Professional Sweetheart (1933) as Sound Effects Man (uncredited)
- Melody Cruise (1933) as Train Conductor (uncredited)
- Dora's Dunking Doughnuts (1933, Short) as Radio Station Manager
- Rafter Romance (1933) as Morton McGillicuddy (uncredited)
- Wonder Bar (1934) as Third Bartender (uncredited)
- Woman Haters (1934, Short) as Club Chairman (uncredited)
- A Very Honorable Guy (1934) as Jerry the Waiter (uncredited)
- The Party's Over (1934) as Man on Streetcar (uncredited)
- Men in Black (1934, Short) as Tiny Patient's Doctor (uncredited)
- Flirting with Danger (1934) as Cafe Customer Vocalist (uncredited)
- Three Little Pigskins (1934, Short)
- The Spirit of 1976 (1935, Short) (uncredited)
- After Office Hours (1935) as Policeman at Patterson's (uncredited)
- The Whole Town's Talking (1935) as Policeman (uncredited)
- The Perfect Clue (1935) as Johnny O'Rourke (uncredited)
- Princess O'Hara (1935) as Fat Man (uncredited)
- Flying Down to Zero (1935, Short)
- Uncivil Warriors (1935, Short) as Col. Buttz (uncredited)
- Unknown Woman (1935) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Shadows of the Orient (1935) as Jake (uncredited)
- The E-Flat Man (1935, Short) as Cop (uncredited)
- Hoi Polloi (1935, Short) as Butler (uncredited)
- The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935) as Bartender (uncredited)
- The Payoff (1935) as Waiter (uncredited)
- In Person (1935) as Man in Elevator (uncredited)
- Three Little Beers (1935, Short) as A. Panther
- Ants in the Pantry (1936, Short) as Professor Repulso (uncredited)
- Movie Maniacs (1936, Short) as Fuller Rath
- Grand Slam Opera (1936, Short) as Arizona Sheriff
- Doughnuts and Society (1936) as Mover #1 (uncredited)
- Heroes of the Range (1936) as Cookie (uncredited)
- On the Wrong Trek (1936, Short) as Gang Leader (uncredited)
- Disorder in the Court (1936, Short) as Defense Attorney (uncredited)
- The Fugitive Sheriff (1936) as Bunkhouse Singer (uncredited)
- Ticket to Paradise (1936) as Taxi Dispatcher
- A Pain in the Pullman (1936, Short) as Johnson (uncredited)
- Whoops, I'm an Indian! (1936, Short) as Pierre (uncredited)
- The Unknown Ranger (1936) as Bartender (uncredited)
- Come and Get It (1936) as Man in Saloon (uncredited)
- Mind Your Own Business (1936) as Carpenter (uncredited)
- Jail Bait (1937, Short) as Police Chief
- Racing Lady (1937) as Racetrack Bettor (uncredited)
- Dizzy Doctors (1937, Short) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Love Nest on Wheels (1937, Short) as The Mortgage Holder
- Melody of the Plains (1937) as Camp Cook
- Too Many Wives (1937) as Edmund (uncredited)
- The Frame-Up (1937) as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Back to the Woods (1937, Short) as Prosecutor (uncredited)
- Girls Can Play (1937) as Murphy the Cop (uncredited)
- Super-Sleuth (1937) as Man with Burning Beard (uncredited)
- Forty Naughty Girls (1937) as Theatre Doorman (uncredited)
- Life Begins with Love (1937) as Detective (uncredited)
- Counsel for Crime (1937) as Jailer (uncredited)
- Murder in Greenwich Village (1937) as Police Officer (uncredited)
- Paid to Dance (1937) as Lieutenant of Police
- Melody of the Plains (1937) as Camp Cook
- All American Sweetheart (1937) as Al (uncredited)
- The Shadow (1937) as Ticket Seller
- Termites of 1938 (1938, Short) as Lord Wafflebottom (uncredited)
- Little Miss Roughneck (1938) (uncredited)
- Wee Wee Monsieur (1938, Short) as Legionnaire Sergeant (uncredited)
- Women in Prison (1938) as Guard (uncredited)
- When G-Men Step In (1938) as Businessman (uncredited)
- Tassels in the Air (1938, Short) as Thaddeus Smirch (uncredited)
- There's Always a Woman (1938) as Jim - Bartender (uncredited)
- Extortion (1938) as Caterer (uncredited)
- Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb (1938, Short) as House Detective (uncredited)
- I'm From the City (1938) as Circus Spectator Next to Rosie (uncredited)
- I Am the Law (1938) as Bartender (uncredited)
- Mutts to You (1938, Short) as Policeman O'Halloran (uncredited)
- Red Barry (1938, Serial) as Stagehand (uncredited)
- Tarnished Angel (1938) as Man with Pocket Watch (uncredited)
- The Storm (1938) as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
- Blondie (1938) as Repossessor (uncredited)
- Three Little Sew and Sews (1939, Short) as Policeman (uncredited)
- The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) as Nightclub Bartender (uncredited)
- Almost a Gentleman (1939) as Dog Show Announcer (uncredited)
- A Ducking They Did Go (1939, Short) as Police Chief (uncredited)
- Pest from the West (1939, Short) as Neighbor Taking Siesta (uncredited)
- Mooching Through Georgia (1939, Short) as Titus Cobb aka Pa
- Slightly Honorable (1939) as Humboldt, the Cop (uncredited)
- A Plumbing We Will Go (1940, Short) as Police Officer Kelly (uncredited)
- Captain Caution (1940) as Blinks
- Sandy Gets Her Man (1940) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Li'l Abner (1940) as Hairless Joe
- Little Men (1940) as Cop (uncredited)
- Tall, Dark and Handsome (1941) as Bartender (uncredited)
- So Long Mr. Chumps (1941, Short) as Policeman (uncredited)
- So You Won't Squawk! (1941, Short) as Tom (uncredited)
- The Monster and the Girl (1941) as Jim - Monarch Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
- A Girl, a Guy and a Gob (1941) as Tall Bystander (uncredited)
- Dutiful But Dumb (1941, Short) as Army Sergeant (uncredited)
- Pot o' Gold (1941) as Drunken Cellmate (uncredited)
- Model Wife (1941) as Patrolman (uncredited)
- All the World's a Stooge (1941, Short) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Time Out for Rhythm (1941) as Counterman (uncredited)
- I'll Never Heil Again (1941, Short) as Mr. Umpchay (uncredited)
- An Ache in Every Stake (1941, Short) as The Baker (uncredited)
- Pardon My Stripes (1942) as Detective (uncredited)
- Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942) as Casino Singer (uncredited)
- Jail House Blues (1942) as Guard (uncredited)
- A Tragedy at Midnight (1942) as Cop (uncredited)
- Girls' Town (1942) as 'Miss Ohio Valley' Beauty Contest Announcer (uncredited)
- Yokel Boy (1942) as Cop (uncredited)
- Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1942) as Fat Man (uncredited)
- Stardust on the Sage (1942) as Blacksmith Mike (uncredited)
- Joan of Ozark (1942) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Her Cardboard Lover (1942) as George - Casino Doorman (uncredited)
- Three Smart Saps (1942, Short) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- Holiday Inn (1942) as Santa Claus (uncredited)
- Even as IOU (1942, Short) as Police Chief (uncredited)
- You Can't Escape Forever (1942) as Villa Gloria Bartender (uncredited)
- Youth on Parade (1942) as Cop (uncredited)
- Sock-a-Bye Baby (1942, Short) as Pete - Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
- Hello Frisco, Hello (1943) as Member of Barbershop Quartet (uncredited)
- Hit Parade of 1943 (1943) as Escort (uncredited)
- Hangmen Also Die! (1943) as Fat Man (uncredited)
- Coney Island (1943) as Bartender (scenes deleted)
- Back from the Front (1943, Short) as Petty Officer (uncredited)
- Three Little Twirps (1943, Short) as Police Officer (uncredited)
- I Can Hardly Wait (1943, Short) as Dr. A. Yank (uncredited)
- Phony Express (1943, Short) as Red Morgan
- True to Life (1943) as Uncle Jim Farmer (uncredited)
- Crash Goes the Hash (1944, Short) as Lord Flint—Majordomo (final Stooge film)
- Love Your Landlord (1944, Short)
- It Happened Tomorrow (1944) as Policeman at Boardinghouse (uncredited)
- Louisiana Hayride (1944) as Doorman (uncredited)
- Casanova Brown (1944) as Father at Baby Window (uncredited)
- Kansas City Kitty (1944) as Re-po Man from A-1 Piano Co. (uncredited)
- Mrs. Parkington (1944) as Quartet Member (uncredited)
- Lost in a Harem (1944) as Overlord (uncredited)
- Alaska (1944) as Sailor (uncredited)
- She Snoops to Conquer (1944, Short) as Otto Schultz
- Diamond Horseshoe (1945) as Footlight Club Patron (uncredited)
- Nob Hill (1945) as Member of Singing Waiters Quartette (uncredited)
- See My Lawyer (1945)
- Incendiary Blonde (1945) as Head Bartender (uncredited)
References
[edit]- ^ Okuda, Ted, and Edward Watz. 1999. The Columbia Comedy Shorts: Two-reel Hollywood Film Comedies 1933–1958. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. ISBN 9780786405770.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Three Stooges Journal staff (Summer 2019). "The Three Stooges Supporting Players: Bud Jamison". The Three Stooges Journal (170). Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania: The Three Stooges Fan Club, Inc.: 8–9. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Bud Jamison at IMDb
- Bud Jamison at Find a Grave
- Bud Jamison at threestooges.net
Bud Jamison
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family background
William Edward Jamison, professionally known as Bud Jamison, was born on February 15, 1895, in Vallejo, Solano County, California.[2] Information on his family background remains limited, with few records detailing his parents or any siblings. Jamison grew up in Northern California during his early years, in a region known for its working-class communities at the turn of the century.[4] The nickname "Bud," a common affectionate diminutive, was adopted by Jamison for his professional endeavors, appearing consistently in his film credits and industry references from the outset of his career.[5] No specific accounts of childhood interests in theater or performance have been documented, though his later path suggests an early affinity for entertainment that would define his life's work spanning 1915 to 1944.Entry into the film industry
Jamison, born in Vallejo, California, in 1895, began his entertainment career with a brief stint in vaudeville before transitioning to the burgeoning film industry on the West Coast.[6] This move capitalized on the rapid growth of silent filmmaking in California during the early 1910s, where local theater performers frequently sought opportunities in the new medium.[6] In 1915, at age 20, Jamison joined Essanay Studios in Niles, California, as a member of Charlie Chaplin's stock company, where he took on support roles as a heavy or antagonist in short comedies.[6] His film debut came that year in Chaplin's A Night Out, playing the head waiter and the jealous husband of Edna Purviance's character, marking one of his earliest uncredited bit parts in the comedian's Essanay series.[7] He followed with appearances in other early Chaplin shorts, such as In the Park, where he portrayed Edna's beau, and Shanghaied, as the second mate, honing his skills in physical comedy and exaggerated gestures essential to silent-era storytelling.[8][9][10] The 1910s silent film landscape was highly competitive, dominated by the Motion Picture Patents Company and independent studios like Essanay, with thousands of extras and bit players vying for scarce roles amid rapid production demands.[11] Jamison faced additional hurdles as a young actor often cast as older authority figures, relying on aging makeup like whiskers and costumes to appear more seasoned, though this sometimes undermined his convincingness in heavy roles.[6] Through persistent work in these initial Essanay productions, he solidified his niche as a reliable character actor in the frenetic Chicago-based studio's output.[6]Film career
Silent film era
Jamison's early experiences at Keystone and Essanay Studios provided a foundation for his subsequent roles in more prominent comedy productions. In 1916, he joined Hal Roach Studios, where he emerged as a key supporting player in the studio's burgeoning output of one-reel comedies. There, his sturdy frame and expressive demeanor made him a natural fit for antagonistic characters, often embodying irascible authority figures or comic heavies who clashed with the protagonists in chaotic, physical gags.[1] Jamison frequently served as a foil to Harold Lloyd, appearing in dozens of Lloyd's early shorts that showcased the comedian's daring stunts and everyman charm. Notable examples include Ask Father (1919), where he played the guardian at the door blocking Lloyd's path, and Over the Fence (1917), in which he contributed to the film's "glass character" humor through exaggerated reactions and slapstick confrontations. His performances emphasized robust physicality, enduring pratfalls and tussles that amplified the comedy's energetic pace. Jamison also collaborated with Stan Laurel in Roach's early Laurel solo shorts, such as Hustling for Health (1919), portraying a beleaguered host in a series of domestic mishaps.[12] Over his five-year tenure at Roach from 1916 to 1921, Jamison amassed credits in more than 100 films, honing his timing in ensemble slapstick.[13] In the 1920s, Jamison extended his career to Mack Sennett's studio, immersing himself in the fast-paced world of Keystone-style comedies known for their anarchic chases and broad humor. He typically took on roles as policemen or tough-guy antagonists, leveraging his imposing presence to heighten the tension in pie-throwing escapades and vehicular mayhem. A representative appearance was in His First Flame (1927), where he supported Harry Langdon as Hector Benedict amid firefighting hijinks and romantic entanglements. These Sennett efforts reinforced Jamison's versatility in rowdy, no-holds-barred scenarios. Through his prolific output—spanning roughly 200 silent films across multiple studios—Jamison solidified his status as a dependable character actor, excelling in the demands of mute-era physical comedy and earning steady work as the perfect adversary to rising stars.[5] His consistent portrayals of blustery foes not only drove narrative conflict but also showcased the era's emphasis on visual timing and bodily expressiveness, laying the groundwork for his enduring niche in film comedy.Transition to sound films
The advent of sound films in the late 1920s presented both challenges and opportunities for Bud Jamison, whose established physical comedy from the silent era transitioned into dialogue-driven roles that highlighted his vocal talents. Jamison possessed a barbershop-quality tenor singing voice, which producers began to exploit as talkies emphasized audio elements over purely visual gags.[2] His first notable showcase came in early sound shorts, such as the 1930 color travelogues where he and comedian Jimmie Adams portrayed "The Rolling Stones," singing vagabonds touring scenic locales.[4] This marked a shift from his silent-era reliance on expressive facial contortions and slapstick to incorporating song and spoken banter, allowing his built-up comedic persona as a hapless heavy to evolve into more verbal confrontations.[6] Jamison adapted by moving between studios, departing Universal Pictures' short-comedy unit—where he had honed his skills in the 1920s—to Mack Sennett's production of sound shorts in the early 1930s. At Sennett, he appeared in dialogue-heavy comedy shorts like The Old Barn (1929), voicing a radio announcer in one of the studio's earliest talkies, and Match Play (1930), where he played a suitor in a bet-driven farce blending physical antics with witty exchanges.[14][15] His roles increasingly featured him as irritable authority figures or comic foils, such as servants, bosses, or policemen, adapting his robust physicality to support sound-era humor. For instance, in Sweepstakes (1931), he sang as a waiter in a racetrack comedy, demonstrating how sound amplified his versatility beyond silent visuals. This period saw Jamison in features and shorts alongside major stars, expanding his opportunities amid the industry's sound revolution. He collaborated with W.C. Fields in the Mack Sennett short The Dentist (1932), playing the dentist's golfing pal Charley Frobisher in a sequence of verbal and physical mishaps on the course.[16] Similarly, in Blue of the Night (1933), another Sennett production, Jamison portrayed a suspicious cop opposite Bing Crosby, contributing to the musical comedy's blend of songs and chases.[17] He also took on boss-like roles in shorts such as Thundering Taxis (1933), as the head of a rival cab company, and The Soilers (1932), as a detective in a college caper.[18] From 1929 to 1933, Jamison's output included dozens of such two-reel comedies and supporting parts, reflecting the rapid decline of silent productions and his successful pivot to sound's demands.[5]Work with Columbia Pictures
In 1934, Bud Jamison signed a contract with Columbia Pictures, beginning a decade-long association that saw him contribute to the studio's robust output of two-reel comedy shorts and occasional features.[19] His prior experience in silent films and early sound productions equipped him well for Columbia's evolving comedy format, where dialogue and physical comedy intertwined seamlessly. Over the next ten years, until 1944, Jamison appeared in more than 100 Columbia shorts, often in supporting capacities that bolstered the studio's diverse comedy series.[19] Jamison frequently portrayed heavies, authority figures like cops, or sources of comic relief, roles that capitalized on his imposing physique and expressive timing. In the Charley Chase series, for instance, he featured in 13 of the 20 shorts produced between 1937 and 1940, including The Big Squirt (1937) as the suspicious policeman Murphy and The Heckler (1940) as a rowdy baseball spectator.[13] Similarly, in Buster Keaton's Columbia outings, Jamison played antagonistic parts such as the bullying Tom in So You Won't Squawk (1941), adding tension to Keaton's deadpan antics. His work extended to Harry Langdon's series, where he embodied stern bosses or detectives, and Andy Clyde's comedies, enhancing the ensemble dynamics typical of Columbia's economical yet inventive short subjects.[19] Jamison's tenor voice occasionally shone in Columbia's musical comedy shorts, providing barbershop-style harmony or solo interludes that lightened the proceedings. Notable examples include his uncredited role as a member of the singing waiters quartette in the feature Nob Hill (1944), his final film, where he contributed to the saloon's lively musical numbers alongside George Montgomery and Joan Bennett. Earlier crossovers with Educational Pictures material, which Columbia sometimes distributed, saw Jamison in light musical roles, such as in the Moran and Mack series shorts from the early 1930s, bridging his pre-Columbia work into the studio's sound-era productions.[2] These contributions underscored Jamison's versatility, helping sustain Columbia's reputation for punchy, character-driven comedies during the 1930s and 1940s.[19]Association with The Three Stooges
Initial collaborations
Bud Jamison's association with The Three Stooges began with their inaugural Columbia Pictures short, Woman Haters (1934), where he portrayed the pompous chairman of the Woman Haters Club and delivered the series' first eye pokes during an initiation sequence.[3] This debut marked the start of Jamison's integration into the Stooges' comedic ensemble, leveraging his prior experience in Columbia shorts to secure the role as a reliable supporting player.[4] In the ensuing years, Jamison appeared in approximately 10 Stooges shorts from 1934 to 1936, frequently cast as straight men or antagonists who clashed with the trio's anarchic antics. Examples include his role as a stern doctor in Men in Black (1934), a bumbling general in Uncivil Warriors (1935), and a haughty butler in Hoi Polloi (1935), where he often served as the foil to heighten the Stooges' physical comedy.[3] His husky, imposing physique provided a stark contrast to the Stooges' wiry chaos, amplifying the visual humor in slapstick sequences and establishing him as a go-to actor for authority figures under directors like Jules White.[4] These initial collaborations solidified Jamison's place in the Stooges' early output, with his consistent presence across films such as Three Little Beers (1935) and A Pain in the Pullman (1936) helping to define the series' dynamic of hapless protagonists versus exasperated opponents.[3] By 1936, his recurring roles had transitioned from novelty appearances to essential elements of the formula, paving the way for deeper involvement in the franchise.[4]Notable roles and contributions
Bud Jamison appeared in 39 Three Stooges shorts between 1934 and 1944, establishing himself as a reliable foil during the series' prime years at Columbia Pictures.[3][20] His roles often positioned him as an antagonist or authority figure, providing the straight-man contrast essential to the Stooges' chaotic humor, with appearances spanning from early entries like Woman Haters (1934) to later ones. A standout mid-period performance came in Disorder in the Court (1936), where Jamison portrayed the stern Defense Attorney in a high-stakes courtroom trial, reacting with escalating frustration to the Stooges' disruptive testimony and physical antics, which amplified the short's legendary slapstick sequences.[21] Jamison's signature characters frequently embodied pompous bosses, policemen, or officials, delivering deadpan reactions that heightened the Stooges' escalating mayhem. In A Ducking They Did Go (1939), he played the Police Chief, contributing a memorable musical moment by singing alongside the Stooges in a comedic rendition of "Swingin' the Alphabet," his tenor voice adding an unexpected layer of absurdity to the duck-hunting farce.[22] His physical presence and timing in gags—such as enduring eye-pokes in Woman Haters (1934), where he delivered the series' first such poke to each Stooge—exemplified how his exaggerated responses and sturdy build enhanced the trio's violent comedy without overshadowing their antics.[5] Jamison's contributions extended to the structural rhythm of many shorts, where his authoritative demeanor set up conflicts ripe for the Stooges' resolution through slapstick escalation, including pie fights, chases, and improvised destruction. His final appearance came in Crash Goes the Hash (1944), as the majordomo Flint in a butler-themed comedy of errors, marking the end of his Stooges tenure just months before his death.[23]Personal life
Marriage and family
Bud Jamison married Georgia Kathleen Holland in 1921, during the height of his early career in silent films.[4][24] The couple remained together until Jamison's death in 1944, sharing a stable marital life that lasted over two decades.[4][2] Jamison and Holland had no children, maintaining a private family existence largely shielded from the Hollywood spotlight.[4] They resided in the Los Angeles area, where Jamison balanced his demanding film schedule with a home life centered on close family ties.[24] Relatives, including great-niece Dixie Cartmell Stevenson and great-nephew Sam Cartmell, later recalled him as a loving and kind individual, highlighting his family-oriented personality off-screen and visits to Vallejo.[4] While specific details on Holland's influence on his career are not well-documented, their enduring partnership provided personal stability amid his professional transitions from silent to sound eras.[4]Health and religious beliefs
Jamison was a devout practitioner of Christian Science, a religious denomination founded by Mary Baker Eddy that emphasizes spiritual healing over medical intervention.[4][2] He suffered from diabetes in his later years, and some sources suggest his faith led him to refuse conventional treatments like insulin.[4] However, the role of his beliefs in his health management is disputed; his family stated that Christian Science did not influence his death decisions.[3] Jamison's condition was largely private, though he experienced phlebitis during the filming of his final movie in September 1944.[3] The exact cause of Jamison's death remains controversial, with official records listing mesenteric thrombosis and kidney cancer, while other accounts attribute it to complications from untreated diabetes or a gangrenous infection, potentially linked to his religious principles.[2][4]Death and legacy
Final years and passing
In 1944, Bud Jamison continued his busy schedule of film work, completing his final feature role in the musical comedy Nob Hill, released in 1945, where he appeared uncredited as a member of the singing waiters quartette.[2] His last collaboration with The Three Stooges was in the short Crash Goes the Hash, filmed in October 1943 and released in February 1944, in which he portrayed the majordomo Lord Flint.[3] Jamison collapsed at his home in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, on September 29, 1944, shortly after finishing Nob Hill, and died the following day at age 49 from mesenteric thrombosis, with carcinoma of the right kidney noted on his death certificate as a contributing condition.[3][2] Conflicting accounts exist regarding the precise circumstances; while family members reported untreated phlebitis that led to a fatal blood clot in the lungs, potentially exacerbated by Jamison's refusal of medical intervention due to his Christian Science faith—though the family disputed the extent of religious influence on his decisions.[3] He was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California, in the Mausoleum of the Golden West, Sanctuary of Dreams, Alcove of Psalms, Niche 26.[2] His sudden passing left his wife, Georgia Kathleen Holland Jamison, and colleagues in the film industry mourning the loss of a veteran character actor whose reliable presence had supported hundreds of productions over nearly three decades.[2]Posthumous recognition
Following his death in 1944, Bud Jamison's contributions to slapstick comedy, particularly as a reliable foil in over 450 films, have been frequently highlighted in Three Stooges retrospectives and dedicated fan communities.[25] His roles in 38 Stooges shorts from 1934 to 1944, where he often played exasperated authority figures enduring the trio's chaos, are celebrated for enhancing the group's physical humor, as noted in comprehensive analyses of their Columbia Pictures output.[3] These mentions underscore his skill in "reliable foiling," a staple of Stooges comedy that amplified the leads' antics without overshadowing them.[4] Jamison's work has gained visibility through archival media and home video releases preserving Columbia shorts. He features prominently in Sony Pictures' The Three Stooges: The Ultimate Collection (2024), a 20-disc set compiling 100 classic two-reel comedies from 1934–1957, including many of his appearances that highlight his extensive career spanning silent and sound eras.[26] Documentaries and compilations on the Columbia shorts department, such as those exploring the studio's two-reelers, reference his 450+ film contributions as emblematic of the era's ensemble slapstick, often pairing him with contemporaries like Vernon Dent in discussions of supporting players' impact.[27] In modern scholarship on slapstick, Jamison receives citations alongside luminaries like Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, whom he supported in early silent comedies. Books such as The Three Stooges Scrapbook (updated edition) detail his role in the Stooges canon and broader comedy history, praising his husky build and willingness for rowdy action as key to the genre's physicality.[28] Similarly, The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians acknowledges his foundational work in Essanay and Hal Roach productions, positioning him as a bridge between silent heavies and sound-era foils.[29] Online resources, including specialized film databases, further appreciate his versatility, though no formal awards for supporting actors from his era have been posthumously bestowed.[25] Despite this, Jamison remains underappreciated relative to lead comedians, with fan discussions often lamenting the lack of standalone biographies or in-depth profiles compared to stars like the Stooges themselves. Calls persist in comedy history circles for greater biographical coverage to elevate his status among slapstick's unsung ensemble contributors.Filmography
Silent films
Bud Jamison entered the film industry in 1915 at Essanay Studios, where he appeared in several Charlie Chaplin comedy shorts, often cast as a burly antagonist or thug in uncredited roles. His debut was in His New Job, playing an assistant director, followed by A Night Out as the headwaiter who clashes with Chaplin's drunken character. In The Champion, he portrayed Bob Uppercut, the boxing champion defeated by Chaplin. Other notable Essanay appearances include In the Park and The Tramp as a thug pursuing Chaplin's vagrant persona, By the Sea as a large beach bully, and A Night in the Show as Dash in the comedy duo Dot & Dash. These roughly seven films established Jamison as a reliable heavy in early slapstick comedy.[30][31] From 1916 to 1927, Jamison's most prolific silent-era output came at Hal Roach Studios, where he contributed to over 100 shorts and features, frequently in supporting roles as rivals, bosses, or comedic foils, with a mix of credited and uncredited parts.[13] In the Lonesome Luke series starring Harold Lloyd, he appeared in nearly all 1916-1917 entries, such as Luke Joins the Navy as the romantic rival and Luke's Movie Muddle as an aggressive theater patron. Later Roach highlights include Over the Fence (1917) as the boss, Just Rambling Along (1918) as a chef, and Do You Love Your Wife? (1919) as a man tending a dog. Jamison also featured in Lloyd's feature-length comedies, playing the sheriff in Grandma's Boy (1922), a thug in Doctor Jack (1922), and an uncredited role in Safety Last! (1923). He supported Charley Chase in shorts like On the Fire (1919) as a ballooning flirt and worked in other Roach series, including uncredited bits in The Freshman (1925). In the 1920s, Jamison worked at other studios, including Universal Pictures' short-comedy unit and Mack Sennett Comedies, appearing in about a dozen films per studio, often uncredited as heavies or authority figures. At Universal, representative roles include the rival in Don't Shove (1919) and the boxer father in The Marathon (1919), both directed by Alfred J. Goulding.[32] For Sennett, he played supporting parts in comedies like Ring Up the Curtain (1919) as an unidentified character and silent shorts with uncredited thug roles in Keystone-influenced slapsticks.[33] Additional 1920s appearances encompass Harry Langdon features like His First Flame (1927) as a fire chief and scattered roles in independent shorts up to 1928, such as Bear Knees (1928) for Fox.[6][34] Overall, Jamison's silent film output from 1915 to 1928 totaled approximately 200 appearances across studios, with Hal Roach accounting for the majority (over 100, including 30+ uncredited in early shorts), Essanay for about 7 (all uncredited), Universal for around 12 (mostly credited in shorts), and Sennett/others for 20-30 (predominantly uncredited).[13] These roles ranged from 70% uncredited early on to more credited supporting parts by the mid-1920s. Regarding accessibility, most Essanay Chaplin shorts featuring Jamison survive in restored prints, available through collections like Flicker Alley's Chaplin's Essanay Comedies (1915), with high-quality versions scored by The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.[35] Hal Roach films, including Lloyd features like Grandma's Boy, are preserved by the Harold Lloyd Trust and widely accessible in restorations; however, many early Lonesome Luke shorts exist only in incomplete or degraded prints, with about 80% surviving overall. Sennett and Universal shorts vary, with roughly half extant and some restored in sets like The Mack Sennett Collection Volume II (2020).[36] Jamison's silent contributions formed the foundation of his career, which spanned 450 films total through 1944.[37]Sound films and shorts
Bud Jamison's sound film career spanned from 1929 to 1944, encompassing approximately 300 credits in features and shorts, a marked increase from his approximately 150 silent-era appearances. Much of his sound work centered on comedy shorts at Columbia Pictures, where he frequently played authority figures or foils in slapstick scenarios. He also took on supporting roles in RKO features and other studio productions, contributing to the era's burgeoning talkie comedy landscape.[5]Features
Jamison appeared in several features during the sound period, often in bit parts that showcased his comedic timing. Notable RKO examples include Ticket to Paradise (1936), where he played the taxi dispatcher, and Captain Caution (1940), in which he portrayed the character Blinks. Other features from the era featured him as a cop in Little Men (1940, RKO) and as Hairless Joe in Li'l Abner (1940). His final feature credit came in It Happened Tomorrow (1944), as a janitor.[5][25]Shorts
Jamison's most prolific output in sound shorts was at Columbia Pictures, where he supported various comedy series. In non-Stooges Columbia shorts, he appeared in Buster Keaton's two-reelers such as Pest from the West (1939), So You Won't Squawk (1941), General Nuisance (1941), and A Study in Socks (1942, as Policeman Mike). Additional Columbia shorts included His Bridal Fright (1940, as J.B.) and Cold Turkey (1940, as a policeman). He also worked in early sound shorts like Match Play (1930, as Bud Harvey) and had uncredited roles in features transitioning to sound, such as Moby Dick (1930, as shipping agent) and Her Man (1930, as man in derby).[38][25] Jamison's most extensive involvement was with The Three Stooges at Columbia, appearing in over 40 of their shorts from 1934 to 1944, typically as judges, policemen, or other obstructive characters that advanced the Stooges' chaotic plots. Examples include his defense attorney role in the classic Disorder in the Court (1936) and police chief in A Ducking They Did Go (1939), where he notably sang "You'll Never Know Just What Tears Are." His final Columbia short was Crash Goes the Hash (1944), his last credited role overall, playing Flint as a restaurant manager. The following table lists all his Three Stooges shorts chronologically, with roles where specified.[3]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Woman Haters | Club chairman |
| 1934 | Men in Black | Doctor |
| 1935 | Uncivil Warriors | General Buttz |
| 1935 | Hoi Polloi | James, the butler |
| 1935 | Three Little Beers | Mr. Panther |
| 1936 | Ants in the Pantry | Professor Repulso |
| 1936 | Movie Maniacs | Fuller Rath |
| 1936 | Disorder in the Court | Defense Attorney |
| 1936 | A Pain in the Pullman | Mr. Johnson |
| 1936 | Whoops, I'm an Indian! | Pierre |
| 1937 | Dizzy Doctors | Cop |
| 1937 | Back to the Woods | Prosecutor |
| 1938 | Termites of 1938 | Lord Wafflebottom |
| 1938 | Wee Wee Monsieur | Sergeant |
| 1938 | Tassels in the Air | Thaddeus Smirch |
| 1938 | Healthy, Wealthy and Dumb | House detective |
| 1938 | Violent Is the Word for Curly | Gas station owner |
| 1938 | Not Guilty Enough | Policeman |
| 1938 | Mutts to You | Officer O'Halloran |
| 1939 | Three Little Sew and Sews | Policeman |
| 1939 | We Want Our Mummy | Dr. Powell |
| 1939 | A Ducking They Did Go | Police Chief |
| 1939 | Three Sappy People | Williams |
| 1940 | Money Squawks | Sheriff |
| 1940 | A Plumbing We Will Go | Officer Kelly |
| 1940 | Boobs in the Woods | Mr. Livingstone |
| 1941 | So Long Mr. Chumps | Policeman (scene deleted) |
| 1941 | Dutiful But Dumb | Vulgarian Sergeant |
| 1941 | All the World's a Stooge | Policeman |
| 1941 | I'll Never Heil Again | Mr. Umpchay |
| 1941 | An Ache in Every Stake | Baker |
| 1942 | Loco Boy Makes Good | Happy Haven manager |
| 1942 | Three Smart Saps | Party guest |
| 1942 | Even As IOU | Cop |
| 1942 | Sock-a-Bye Baby | Pete, motorcycle cop |
| 1943 | Dizzy Detectives | Police Commissioner |
| 1943 | Back From the Front | German Petty Officer |
| 1943 | Three Little Twirps | Policeman |
| 1943 | I Can Hardly Wait | Dr. A. Yank, Dentist |
| 1943 | Phony Express | Red Morgan |
| 1944 | Crash Goes the Hash | Flint |
.jpg)