Moroni Olsen

Acting

Born Jun 26, 1889

From Ogden, Utah, USA

Died Nov 22, 1954

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 – November 22, 1954) was an American actor. Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah, to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Some sources have claimed that Olsen's birth name was John Willard Clawson, but there appears to be no support for this claim. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University. He then went to study at the University of Utah, where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time. In 1923, Olsen organized the "Moroni Olsen Players" out of Ogden. They performed at both Ogden's Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle. After having worked on Broadway, he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers. He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story, starring Don Ameche as D'Artagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers, who have drunk themselves into a stupor. His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in It's a Wonderful Life. Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church, being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward. He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years.

Moroni Olsen

Known For

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

It's a Wonderful Life

Samson and Delilah

Notorious

Lone Star

Mildred Pierce

Call Northside 777

Santa Fe Trail

Marie Antoinette

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo

Filmography — Acting

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

It's a Wonderful Life

Samson and Delilah

Notorious

Lone Star

Mildred Pierce

Call Northside 777

Santa Fe Trail

Marie Antoinette

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo

That Hagen Girl

Father of the Bride

Madame Curie

Air Force

Father's Little Dividend

The Fountainhead

Possessed

The Long Night

Submarine Command

The Long, Long Trailer

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

Life with Father

Cobra Woman

Allegheny Uprising

Mission to Moscow

The Strange Woman

The Glass Key

Nazi Agent

The Soldier and the Lady

Task Force

Dust Be My Destiny

The Last Gangster

Sign of the Pagan

Kidnapped

High Wall

Mary of Scotland

No Questions Asked

Gold Is Where You Find It

Invisible Stripes

Reunion in France

Buffalo Bill

Susannah of the Mounties

Virginia City

Command Decision

Dive Bomber

Death Takes a Holiday

Kentucky

The Three Musketeers

There Goes My Heart

From This Day Forward

One Foot in Heaven

Payment on Demand

Submarine Patrol

Roger Touhy, Gangster

My Favorite Spy

Washington Story

Grand Jury

We've Never Been Licked

Mummy's Boys

Boys' Ranch

Off the Record

Brigham Young

Up in Central Park

Annie Oakley

So This Is Love

We're Only Human

East of the River