Alan Carney
Alan Carney (December 22, 1909 – May 2, 1973) was an American actor and comedian.
Alan Carney | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Boughal December 22, 1909 |
| Died | May 2, 1973 (aged 63) |
| Occupation | Actor/Comedian |
| Years active | 1941–1973 |
Biography
Alan Carney was born David Boughal in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1909. His parents, Edward and Nellie (Kearney) Boughal, were Irish immigrants.
He performed in vaudeville for years. After making his first film, 1941's Convoy, Carney signed a contract at RKO Pictures and appeared in choice supporting roles in such films as Mr. Lucky.
In 1943, Carney teamed up with Wally Brown as RKO's answer to Abbott and Costello. 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. Wally played Chico's part, while Alan Carney filled in for Harpo; the "Groucho" role was essayed by George Murphy. The comedy team was also featured on a live USO tour arranged by the studio.
After 1946's Genius at Work, RKO terminated the team's contracts. Alan Carney continued in films and TV as a supporting player, working prolifically at Disney Studios in the 1960s and 1970s. One of Carney's best latter-day roles was as Mayor Dawgmeat in the 1959 musical film Li'l Abner.
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.
Alan Carney made his last film appearance in Walt Disney Productions' Herbie Rides Again in 1974.
He died in Van Nuys, California, of a heart attack at the age of 63 from the excitement of winning the daily double at Hollywood Park Racetrack.[1]
Filmography
- Gildersleeve's Bad Day (1943) as Toad
- Mr. Lucky (1943) as Crunk
- Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event (1943) as Navajo Room Bartender
- The Adventures of a Rookie (1943) as Mike Strager
- Gangway for Tomorrow (1943) as Swallow
- Around the World (1943) as Joe Gimpus
- Rookies in Burma (1943) as Mike Strager
- Seven Days Ashore (1944) as Orval 'Handsome' Martin
- Step Lively (1944) as Harry
- Girl Rush (1944) as Mike Strager
- Zombies on Broadway (1945) as Mike Strager
- Radio Stars on Parade (1945) as Mike Strager
- Genius at Work (1946) as Mike Strager
- Vacation in Reno (1946) as Angel
- The Pretender (1947) as Victor Korrin
- Hideout (1949) as Evans
- Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! (1958) as Bartender / Owner (uncredited)
- Compulsion (1959) as Globe Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
- Li'l Abner (1959) as Mayor Daniel D. Dogmeat
- Who Was That Lady? (1960) as Building Superintendent (uncredited)
- North to Alaska (1960) as Bartender (uncredited)
- Swingin' Along (1961) as Officer Sullivan
- The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) as First Referee
- The Comancheros (1961) as Stillwater Bartender (uncredited)
- Son of Flubber (1963) as Referee
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as a sergeant with the Santa Rosita Police Department
- Sylvia (1965) as Gus
- Monkeys, Go Home! (1967) as Grocer
- The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967) as Joe Turner
- Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) as Bartender
- Flap (1970) as Member of Circus Train (uncredited)
- Wild Rovers (1971) as Palace Bartender
- Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Judge with Cigar at Chicken Run (final film role)
See also
References
- "Alan Carney Dies. Comedian Was 63". The New York Times. May 5, 1973. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
Alan Carney, him and stage comedian who was at one time under contract to both R.K.O. and Disney Studios, died Wednesday of a heart attack after having won the daily double at Hollywood Park. He was 63 years old. ...
