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Rough-and-tumble American actor Dick Wessel was known for his fierce scowl and bulldog-like face. His thick build and commanding presence landed him numerous roles in Warner Bros. comedies and hard-boiled crime dramas throughout the late 1930s and 1940s. Despite appearing in hundreds of films, he rarely had the chance to stand out, often going uncredited in over half of his roles and playing minor, brief parts when credited. He appeared in major films like Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), and Strangers on a Train (1951), but his presence in these was minimal.
Born Richard M. Wessel in Wisconsin in 1913, the burly character actor began his career on stage before transitioning to films in the mid-1930s. Initially cast in uncredited extra roles, he portrayed a range of characters on both sides of the law, including gangsters, henchmen, convicts, as well as tough cops and streetwise figures such as cab drivers, mailmen, bartenders, and boxers. His characters often had rugged names like "Monk," "Beans," "Moxie," and "Chopper Kane," reflecting their tough nature. His most notable role came as the bald, menacing villain Harry "Cueball" Lake in Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946), a performance that showcased his talent but did not lead to larger parts.
Wessel became a regular player at Columbia Pictures, appearing in many short comedy films as burglars, thieves, wrestlers, circus strongmen, and bumbling husbands alongside The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, and others. On television, he was a rugged figure in western series such as Gunsmoke (1955), Laramie (1959), Rawhide (1959), and Bonanza (1959). Near the end of his career, he had a regular role as a crew member on the adventure series Riverboat (1959) starring Darren McGavin. His final role, released after his death, was a small part as a frantic garbage man in The Ugly Dachshund (1966). Wessel passed away from a heart attack at his Hollywood home on his 52nd birthday in 1965. He was survived by his wife and daughter.
