Charles Middleton

Acting

Charles Middleton

Born 2 October 1874 · Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA · Died 22 April 1949 at 74

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

Highlights

Gone with the Wind1939 · Film · Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
The Grapes of Wrath1940 · Film · Leader
Duck Soup1933 · Film · Prosecutor
The Killers1946 · Film · Farmer (uncredited)
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang1932 · Film · Train Conductor (uncredited)
Sergeant York1941 · Film · Mountaineer (uncredited)

Filmography

Movies

173 films

Dance of the Cookoos1982 · Film · Commandant
Peril from the Planet Mongo1966 · Film · Ming the Merciless
Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From Mars1966 · Film · Ming the Merciless
Purple Death from Outer Space1966 · Film · Ming the Merciless
The Last Bandit1949 · Film · Blindfolded Circuit Rider
The Decision of Christopher Blake1948 · Film · President in Dream (uncredited)
Jiggs and Maggie in Court1948 · Film · Mr. Burton, an Attorney
Station West1948 · Film · Sheriff
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'1948 · Film · Townsman (uncredited)
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House1948 · Film · Wrecker (uncredited)
Here Comes Trouble1948 · Film · Reporter (uncredited)
My Girl Tisa1948 · Film
The Pretender1947 · Film · William the butler
Gunfighters1947 · Film · Sheriff #1 (uncredited)
Welcome Stranger1947 · Film · Farmer Pinkett (uncredited)
The Sea of Grass1947 · Film · Charley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)
The Killers1946 · Film · Farmer (uncredited)
Spook Busters1946 · Film · Mr. Stiles
Strangler of the Swamp1946 · Film · Ferryman Douglas
How DOooo You Do1945 · Film · Sheriff Hayworth
Northwest Trail1945 · Film · Pierre
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes1945 · Film · Mr. Jensen
Hollywood and Vine1945 · Film · Attorney
The Town Went Wild1944 · Film · Sam, Midvale District Attorney
The Desert Hawk1944 · Film · Koda Bey
Black Arrow1944 · Film · Tom Whitney
Wagon Wheels West1943 · Film · Phineas Hook
Crazy House1943 · Film · Sheriff
Oklahoma Outlaws1943 · Film · Judge Ringle
Batman1943 · Film · Ken Colton
Boobs in the Night1943 · Film
The Black Raven1943 · Film · Sheriff
Spook Louder1943 · Film · Graves' Valet
Perils of Nyoka1942 · Film · Cassib
Men of San Quentin1942 · Film · Saunderson
The Mystery of Marie Roget1942 · Film · Curator
Wild Bill Hickok Rides1942 · Film · Claim Jumping Leader
Sergeant York1941 · Film · Mountaineer (uncredited)
Jungle Man1941 · Film · Rev. James 'Jim' Graham
Stick to Your Guns1941 · Film · Long Ben, gambler-saloon owner
Belle Starr1941 · Film · Carpetbagger
Wild Geese Calling1941 · Film · Doctor Jed Sloan
The Shepherd of the Hills1941 · Film · Blacksmith (uncredited)
Western Union1941 · Film · Stagecoach Rider
Santa Fe Trail1940 · Film · Gentry
Eyes of the Navy1940 · Film · Farmer (uncredited)
Rangers of Fortune1940 · Film · Water Thug
Brigham Young1940 · Film · Mob Member
Gold Rush Maisie1940 · Film · Camp Owner with a Pig (Uncredited)
Women in Hiding1940 · Film · Alice's Father (uncredited)
Island of Doomed Men1940 · Film · Captain Cort
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise1940 · Film · Jeremiah Walters
Shooting High1940 · Film · Hod Carson
Virginia City1940 · Film · Jefferson Davis
The Grapes of Wrath1940 · Film · Leader
Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe1940 · Film · Emperor Ming
Abe Lincoln in Illinois1940 · Film · Tom Lincoln
Thou Shalt Not Kill1939 · Film · Lars Olsen
Gone with the Wind1939 · Film · Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
Cowboys from Texas1939 · Film · Kansas Jones
Allegheny Uprising1939 · Film · Dr. Stoke
The Flying Deuces1939 · Film · Commandant
$1,000 a Touchdown1939 · Film · Stage Manager (uncredited)
Blackmail1939 · Film · Southern Deputy (uncredited)
One Against the World1939 · Film · Mr. Crumley (uncredited)
Way Down South1939 · Film · Cass
Wyoming Outlaw1939 · Film · Luke Parker
Daredevils of the Red Circle1939 · Film · 39013
Captain Fury1939 · Film · Mergon
The Oklahoma Kid1939 · Film · Alec Martin
Jesse James1939 · Film · Doctor
Kentucky1938 · Film · Southerner
The Strange Case of Dr. Meade1938 · Film · Lacey
Mars Attacks the World1938 · Film · Ming the Merciless
Dick Tracy Returns1938 · Film · Pa Stark
Flaming Frontiers1938 · Film · Ace Daggett
Joaquin Murrieta1938 · Film · Politician (uncredited)
Jezebel1938 · Film · Officer (uncredited)
Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars1938 · Film · Emperor Ming
Rocket Ship1938 · Film · Emperor Ming
The Man Without a Country1937 · Film · President Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)
Stand-In1937 · Film · Actor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln
The Last Train from Madrid1937 · Film · Warden (uncredited)
Slave Ship1937 · Film · Slave Dealer
Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge1937 · Film · Gene Autry Sr.
The Good Earth1937 · Film · Banker (uncredited)
Hollywood Cowboy1937 · Film · 'Doc' Kramer
Two Gun Law1937 · Film · Wolf Larson
We're on the Jury1937 · Film · Mr. Martin
Empty Saddles1936 · Film · Cim White
Career Woman1936 · Film · Matt Clay
Wedding Present1936 · Film · Turnbull
Ramona1936 · Film · American Settler (uncredited)
The Texas Rangers1936 · Film · Lawyer (uncredited)
Jailbreak1936 · Film · Dan Stone
A Son Comes Home1936 · Film · Prosecutor
Show Boat1936 · Film · Sheriff Ike Vallon
Flash Gordon1936 · Film · Ming the Merciless
Road Gang1936 · Film · Grayson
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine1936 · Film · Blacksmith
Song of the Saddle1936 · Film · Phineas P. Hook
Sunset of Power1936 · Film · Neil Brannum
Rose of the Rancho1936 · Film · Horse Doctor (uncredited)
Frisco Kid1935 · Film · Speaker (uncredited)
The Virginia Judge1935 · Film · Cyrus Higgins
Special Agent1935 · Film · State Police Commander (uncredited)
Steamboat Round the Bend1935 · Film · Fleety Belle's Father
Hop-a-long Cassidy1935 · Film · Buck Peters
Reckless1935 · Film · District Attorney (uncredited)
The Miracle Rider1935 · Film · Zaroff
In Spite of Danger1935 · Film · Mr. Merritt
The Fixer Uppers1935 · Film · Pierre Gustave
Square Shooter1935 · Film · Miller
Red Morning1934 · Film · Stanchon
Behold My Wife!1934 · Film · Juan Storm Cloud
Broadway Bill1934 · Film · Veterinarian (uncredited)
The St. Louis Kid1934 · Film · Sheriff (uncredited)
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch1934 · Film · Mr. Bagby
When Strangers Meet1934 · Film · John Tarman
Whom the Gods Destroy1934 · Film · Constable Malcolm (uncredited)
Murder at the Vanities1934 · Film · Homer Boothby
The Last Round-up1934 · Film · Sheriff
David Harum1934 · Film · Deacon
Massacre1934 · Film · Sheriff Scatters
Mr. Skitch1933 · Film · Joe
Lone Cowboy1933 · Film · U.S. Marshal
The World Changes1933 · Film · Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok (uncredited)
Duck Soup1933 · Film · Prosecutor
White Woman1933 · Film · Fenton
Big Executive1933 · Film · Sheriff
The Bowery1933 · Film · Detective (uncredited)
Doctor Bull1933 · Film · Mr. Upjohn
This Day and Age1933 · Film · District Attorney
Disgraced!1933 · Film · District Attorney
Tomorrow at Seven1933 · Film · Jerry Simons
At Twelve Midnight1933 · Film · Roger Thurston
Sunset Pass1933 · Film · Williams
The Three Musketeers1933 · Film · El Shaitan (voice)
Destination Unknown1933 · Film · Turk
Pick-up1933 · Film · Mr. Brewster
The Road Is Open Again1933 · Film · Abraham Lincoln
Silver Dollar1932 · Film · Jenkins
The Sign of the Cross1932 · Film · Tyros
Too Busy to Work1932 · Film · Chief of Police
Rockabye1932 · Film · District Attorney (uncredited)
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang1932 · Film · Train Conductor (uncredited)
Hell's Highway1932 · Film · Matthew the Hermit
The Phantom President1932 · Film · Abe Lincoln (uncredited)
Pack Up Your Troubles1932 · Film · Welfare Association Officer
Mystery Ranch1932 · Film · Henry Steele
The Strange Love of Molly Louvain1932 · Film · Police Capt. Slade
The Hatchet Man1932 · Film · Lip Hop Fat
High Pressure1932 · Film · Mr. Banks
Manhattan Parade1931 · Film · Sheriff Casey
X Marks the Spot1931 · Film · Kirby
Safe in Hell1931 · Film · Lawyer Jones
A House Divided1931 · Film · Minister
Beau Hunks1931 · Film · Commandant
Sob Sister1931 · Film · City Editor Baker
A Dangerous Affair1931 · Film · Tupper
Palmy Days1931 · Film · Yolando
The Ruling Voice1931 · Film · Board Member (uncredited)
An American Tragedy1931 · Film · Attorney Reuben Jephson
Caught Plastered1931 · Film · Sheriff Flint
The Miracle Woman1931 · Film · Simpson
Ships of Hate1931 · Film · Captain Lash
The Devil's Cabaret1930 · Film · Mr. Satan (uncredited)
East Is West1930 · Film · Dr. Fredericks
Way Out West1930 · Film · Buck Rankin
Beau Bandit1930 · Film · Lucius J. Perkins
Welcome Danger1929 · Film · John Thorne / The Dragon
The Far Call1929 · Film · Kris Larsen
The Farmer's Daughter1928 · Film · Hiram Flint