Actor. He appeared in nearly 200 motion picture roles in a career that spanned 40 years. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, he made his screen debut in 1918. He first gained notice as a member of director D.W. Griffith’s stock company, with prominent roles in “The White Rose” (1923), “America” (1924), “Isn’t Life Wonderful?” (1924), and “Sally of the Sawdust” (1925). He was typically cast as authority figure, with most of his roles uncredited bit parts. However, he did have some notable movie moments: – as the corrupt handwriting expert in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), as Jefferson F. Davis in “The Santa Fe Trail” (1940), Andrew Jackson in “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” (1940), and ‘Nate Tomkins’ in “Sergeant York” (1941). He also had a recurring role as ‘Henry the Bailiff’ in Metro Goldwyn Meyer Studio’s “Andy Hardy” films from 1938 to 1942. His other credits include “Arrowsmith” (1931), “I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang” (1932), “State Fair” (1933), “The Scarlet Empress” (1934), “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” (1938), “Marie Antoinette” (1938), “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), “High Sierra” (1941), “Tobacco Road” (1941), “The Spiral Staircase” (1946), “The Bishop’s Wife” (1947), “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), and “The Spirit of St. Louis” (1957). Although he seldom got billing onscreen, Alderson worked steadily until his death. (bio by: Bobb Edwards)  Family links:  Parents:  William Atkinson Alderson (1856 – 1946)  Sibling:  Erville Alderson (1882 – 1957)  Ralph Alderson (1884 – 1905)* *Calculated relationship