Person
Charles Middleton
Acting · 1874–1949 · Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA
Biography
Charles Brown Middleton (October 3, 1874 – April 22, 1949) was an American stage and film actor. During a film career that began at age 46 and lasted almost 30 years, he appeared in nearly 200 films as well as numerous plays. Sometimes credited as Charles B. Middleton, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the villainous emperor Ming the Merciless in the three Flash Gordon serials made between 1936 and 1940.
Known for
Gone with the Wind
Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
At Twelve Midnight
Roger Thurston
Welcome Stranger
Farmer Pinkett (uncredited)
Sob Sister
City Editor Baker
Belle Starr
Carpetbagger
Pick-up
Mr. Brewster
Rose of the Rancho
Horse Doctor (uncredited)
The Grapes of Wrath
Leader
Brigham Young
Mob Member
Mr. Skitch
Joe
Filmography
- 1996The Boy from MercuryMing the Merciless (Archive Footage)
- 1984Going Hollywood: The '30s(archive footage)
- 1982Dance of the CookoosCommandant
- 1973A Look at the World of 'Soylent Green'Self (archive footage)
- 1966Peril from the Planet MongoMing the Merciless
- 1966Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From MarsMing the Merciless
- 1966Purple Death from Outer SpaceMing the Merciless
- 1966Spaceship to the UnknownMing the Merciless (archive footage)
- 1949The Last BanditBlindfolded Circuit Rider
- 1948The Decision of Christopher BlakePresident in Dream (uncredited)
- 1948Jiggs and Maggie in CourtMr. Burton, an Attorney
- 1948Station WestSheriff
- 1948Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'Townsman (uncredited)
- 1948Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream HouseWrecker (uncredited)
- 1948Here Comes TroubleReporter (uncredited)
- 1948My Girl Tisa
- 1947The PretenderWilliam the butler
- 1947GunfightersSheriff #1 (uncredited)
- 1947Welcome StrangerFarmer Pinkett (uncredited)
- 1947The Sea of GrassCharley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)
- 1946The KillersFarmer (uncredited)
- 1946Spook BustersMr. Stiles
- 1946Strangler of the SwampFerryman Douglas
- 1945How DOooo You DoSheriff Hayworth
- 1945Northwest TrailPierre
- 1945Our Vines Have Tender GrapesMr. Jensen
- 1945Hollywood and VineAttorney
- 1944The Town Went WildSam, Midvale District Attorney
- 1944The Desert HawkKoda Bey
- 1944Black ArrowTom Whitney
- 1943Wagon Wheels WestPhineas Hook
- 1943Crazy HouseSheriff
- 1943Oklahoma OutlawsJudge Ringle
- 1943BatmanKen Colton
- 1943Boobs in the Night
- 1943The Black RavenSheriff
- 1943Spook LouderGraves' Valet
- 1942Perils of NyokaCassib
- 1942Men of San QuentinSaunderson
- 1942The Mystery of Marie RogetCurator
- 1942Wild Bill Hickok RidesClaim Jumping Leader
- 1941Sergeant YorkMountaineer (uncredited)
- 1941Jungle ManRev. James 'Jim' Graham
- 1941Stick to Your GunsLong Ben, gambler-saloon owner
- 1941Belle StarrCarpetbagger
- 1941Wild Geese CallingDoctor Jed Sloan
- 1941The Shepherd of the HillsBlacksmith (uncredited)
- 1941Western UnionStagecoach Rider
- 1940Santa Fe TrailGentry
- 1940Eyes of the NavyFarmer (uncredited)
- 1940Rangers of FortuneWater Thug
- 1940Brigham YoungMob Member
- 1940Gold Rush MaisieCamp Owner with a Pig (Uncredited)
- 1940Women in HidingAlice's Father (uncredited)
- 1940Island of Doomed MenCaptain Cort
- 1940Charlie Chan's Murder CruiseJeremiah Walters
- 1940Shooting HighHod Carson
- 1940Virginia CityJefferson Davis
- 1940The Grapes of WrathLeader
- 1940Flash Gordon Conquers the UniverseEmperor Ming
- 1940Abe Lincoln in IllinoisTom Lincoln
- 1939Thou Shalt Not KillLars Olsen
- 1939Gone with the WindMan with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
- 1939Cowboys from TexasKansas Jones
- 1939Allegheny UprisingDr. Stoke
- 1939The Flying DeucesCommandant
- 1939$1,000 a TouchdownStage Manager (uncredited)
- 1939BlackmailSouthern Deputy (uncredited)
- 1939One Against the WorldMr. Crumley (uncredited)
- 1939Way Down SouthCass
- 1939Wyoming OutlawLuke Parker
- 1939Daredevils of the Red Circle39013
- 1939Captain FuryMergon
- 1939The Oklahoma KidAlec Martin
- 1939Jesse JamesDoctor
- 1938KentuckySoutherner
- 1938The Strange Case of Dr. MeadeLacey
- 1938Mars Attacks the WorldMing the Merciless
- 1938Dick Tracy ReturnsPa Stark
- 1938Flaming FrontiersAce Daggett
- 1938Joaquin MurrietaPolitician (uncredited)
- 1938JezebelOfficer (uncredited)
- 1938Flash Gordon's Trip to MarsEmperor Ming
- 1938Rocket ShipEmperor Ming
- 1937The Man Without a CountryPresident Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)
- 1937Stand-InActor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln
- 1937The Last Train from MadridWarden (uncredited)
- 1937Slave ShipSlave Dealer
- 1937Yodelin' Kid from Pine RidgeGene Autry Sr.
- 1937The Good EarthBanker (uncredited)
- 1937Hollywood Cowboy'Doc' Kramer
- 1937Two Gun LawWolf Larson
- 1937We're on the JuryMr. Martin
- 1936Empty SaddlesCim White
- 1936Career WomanMatt Clay
- 1936Wedding PresentTurnbull
- 1936RamonaAmerican Settler (uncredited)
- 1936The Texas RangersLawyer (uncredited)
- 1936JailbreakDan Stone
- 1936A Son Comes HomeProsecutor
- 1936Show BoatSheriff Ike Vallon
- 1936Flash GordonMing the Merciless
- 1936Road GangGrayson
- 1936The Trail of the Lonesome PineBlacksmith
- 1936Song of the SaddlePhineas P. Hook
- 1936Sunset of PowerNeil Brannum
- 1936Rose of the RanchoHorse Doctor (uncredited)
- 1935Frisco KidSpeaker (uncredited)
- 1935Special AgentState Police Commander (uncredited)
- 1935Steamboat Round the BendFleety Belle's Father
- 1935Hop-a-long CassidyBuck Peters
- 1935RecklessDistrict Attorney (uncredited)
- 1935The Miracle RiderZaroff
- 1935In Spite of DangerMr. Merritt
- 1935The Fixer UppersPierre Gustave
- 1935Square ShooterMiller
- 1934Red MorningStanchon
- 1934Behold My Wife!Juan Storm Cloud
- 1934Broadway BillVeterinarian (uncredited)
- 1934Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage PatchMr. Bagby
- 1934When Strangers MeetJohn Tarman
- 1934Whom the Gods DestroyConstable Malcolm (uncredited)
- 1934Murder at the VanitiesHomer Boothby
- 1934The Last Round-upSheriff
- 1934David HarumDeacon
- 1934MassacreSheriff Scatters
- 1933Mr. SkitchJoe
- 1933Lone CowboyU.S. Marshal
- 1933The World ChangesSheriff Wild Bill Hickok (uncredited)
- 1933Duck SoupProsecutor
- 1933White WomanFenton
- 1933Big ExecutiveSheriff
- 1933The BoweryDetective (uncredited)
- 1933Doctor BullMr. Upjohn
- 1933This Day and AgeDistrict Attorney
- 1933Disgraced!District Attorney
- 1933Tomorrow at SevenJerry Simons
- 1933At Twelve MidnightRoger Thurston
- 1933Sunset PassWilliams
- 1933The Three MusketeersEl Shaitan (voice)
- 1933Destination UnknownTurk
- 1933Pick-upMr. Brewster
- 1933The Road Is Open AgainAbraham Lincoln
- 1932The Sign of the CrossTyros
- 1932Silver DollarJenkins
- 1932Too Busy to WorkChief of Police
- 1932RockabyeDistrict Attorney (uncredited)
- 1932I Am a Fugitive from a Chain GangTrain Conductor (uncredited)
- 1932Breach of PromiseJoe Pugmire
- 1932Hell's HighwayMatthew the Hermit
- 1932The Phantom PresidentAbe Lincoln (uncredited)
- 1932Pack Up Your TroublesWelfare Association Officer
- 1932Mystery RanchHenry Steele
- 1932The Strange Love of Molly LouvainPolice Capt. Slade
- 1932The Hatchet ManLip Hop Fat
- 1932High PressureMr. Banks
- 1931Manhattan ParadeSheriff Casey
- 1931X Marks the SpotKirby
- 1931Safe in HellLawyer Jones
- 1931A House DividedMinister
- 1931Beau HunksCommandant
- 1931Sob SisterCity Editor Baker
- 1931A Dangerous AffairTupper
- 1931Palmy DaysYolando
- 1931The Ruling VoiceBoard Member (uncredited)
- 1931An American TragedyAttorney Reuben Jephson
- 1931Caught PlasteredSheriff Flint
- 1931The Miracle WomanSimpson
- 1931Ships of HateCaptain Lash
- 1930The Devil's CabaretMr. Satan (uncredited)
- 1930East Is WestDr. Fredericks
- 1930Way Out WestBuck Rankin
- 1930Beau BanditLucius J. Perkins
- 1929Welcome DangerJohn Thorne / The Dragon
- 1929The Far CallKris Larsen
- 1929The Bellamy TrialDistrict Attorney
- 1928The Farmer's DaughterHiram Flint
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