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Wikipedia / Joseph Crehan

Joseph Crehan (born Joseph Creaghan; July 15, 1883 April 15, 1966) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 300 films between 1916 and 1965, and notably played Ulysses S. Grant nine times between 1939 and 1958, most memorably in Union Pacific and They Died with Their Boots On.

Early life

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Crehan. He attended Calvert Hall College and Kent College of Law but left the latter because of his stronger interest in drama. Early in his career, Crehan worked in light comedy. He was in his late 30s when he began doing character roles.

Career

Crehan's career began in 1907 in Philadelphia as a member of the Chestnut Street Theater's stock company. After that he acted in Baltimore, Boston, and Washington. He was seen in the film Under Two Flags (1916). He acted with the Morosco Stock Company in Los Angeles for several years.

Crehan's Broadway credits include Twentieth Century (1932), Lilly Turner (1932), Angels Don't Kiss (1932), Those We Love (1930), Sweet Land of Liberty (1929), Merry Andrew (1929), Ringside (1928), and Yosemite (1914). Crehan often played alongside Charles C. Wilson with whom he is sometimes confused.

Crehan frequently portrayed Ulysses S. Grant in films. By June 1939 he had been seen as Grant in 42 films, 31 as the general and 11 as the president.

In 1961, credited as "Joe Crehan", he appeared as "Thomas Boland" in the TV Western series Bat Masterson (S3E18 "The Prescott Campaign").

Death

On April 15, 1966, Crehan died of a stroke in Hollywood, California.

Selected filmography

References