Preston Foster
Biography
Preston Foster (August 24, 1900 β July 14, 1970) was an American stage and film actor, and singer. Foster entered films in 1929 after appearing as a Broadway stage actor. He was appearing in Broadway plays as late as October 1931 when he acted in a play titled Two Seconds starring Edward J. Pawley. Some of his notable films include: Doctor X (1932), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Annie Oakley (1935), The Last Days of Pompeii (also 1935), The Informer (1935) (as the head of the organization), and My Friend Flicka (1943).
He starred on the television drama, Waterfront (1954β1955), playing the role of Captain John Herrick. Foster has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was sometimes credited in movies as Preston S. Foster. His first wife was stage actress Gertrude Warren (1926β1945; divorced). He had one daughter, Stephanie. He was married to his second wife, actress Sheila Darcy, from 1946 until his death.
During World War II while serving with the United States Coast Guard, he rose to the rank of Captain, Temporary Reserve. He eventually held the honorary rank of Commodore in the U.S. Coast Guard.
After the war and before his productive movie career, Foster became a singer of some note. In 1948 Foster created a trio with himself, Gene Leis and Fosterβs wife, actress Sheila Darcy. Gene arranged the songs, and they played on radio and in clubs, appearing with Orrin Tucker, Peggy Ann Garner and Rita Hayworth.
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Filmography
Kansas City Confidential
as Tim Foster 1952
The Informer
as Dan Gallagher 1935
Doctor X
as Dr. Wells 1932
The Time Travelers
as Dr. Erik von Steiner 1964
I Shot Jesse James
as John Kelley 1949
Ramrod
as Frank Ivey 1947
The Harvey Girls
as Judge Sam Purvis 1946
Lucy and Desi
as Self (archive footage) 2022
North West Mounted Police
as Sergeant Jim Brett 1940
Ladies They Talk About
as David Slade 1933
Annie Oakley
as Toby Walker 1935
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood
as Self (uncredited) 1945
The Valley of Decision
as Jim Brennan 1945
The Last Days of Pompeii
as Marcus 1935
Two Seconds
as Bud Clark 1932
The Big Night
as Andy La Main 1951