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Esther Howard

Actor

Esther Howard

Born April 2, 1892 in Butte, Montana, USADied March 8, 196577 films

Esther Howard (April 4, 1892 – March 8, 1965) was an American stage and film character actress who played a wide range of supporting roles, from man-hungry spinsters to amoral criminals, appearing in 108 films in her 23-year screen career.

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From 1940 to 1949, Howard was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in seven films written and directed by Sturges. From 1937, Howard was a regular player in short-subjects produced at Columbia Pictures, where she was frequently cast opposite comedian Andy Clyde. Her last film was a Columbia comedy short, Caught on the Bounce (1952), in which she played Joe Besser's aunt.

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The best way into Esther Howard's work
Sullivan's Travels posterFirst watchSullivan's Travels19417.4as Miz ZeffieSuccessful movie director John L. Sullivan, convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Detour poster7.2Detour1945Murder, My Sweet poster7.2Murder, My Sweet1944The Palm Beach Story poster7.0The Palm Beach Story1942I Married a Witch poster6.9I Married a Witch1942Dead End poster7.0Dead End1937The Miracle of Morgan's Creek poster6.8The Miracle of Morgan's Creek1944Caged poster7.1Caged1950Song of the Thin Man poster6.7Song of the Thin Man1947

Filmography

77 films as actor
  1. 1952Caught on the BounceAunt Tildy
  2. 1951All That I HaveMrs. Dalton
  3. 1950CagedGrace (uncredited)
  4. 1950No Man of Her OwnFrowsy Woman in boardinghouse (uncredited)
  5. 1949HellfireBirdie
  6. 1949The Lady GamblesGross Lady
  7. 1949The Crooked WayHotel Proprietess (uncredited)
  8. 1949ChampionMrs. Kelly
  9. 1949HomicideMrs. Brucker, Landlady
  10. 1948June BrideMrs. Mitchell
  11. 1948The Velvet TouchPansy Dupont
  12. 1947Wedlock DeadlockLydia - Betty's Mother
  13. 1947Song of the Thin ManSadie (uncredited)
  14. 1947Born to KillMrs. Kraft
  15. 1946Dick Tracy vs. CueballFilthy Flora, Dripping Dagger Proprietor
  16. 1946A Letter for EvieMrs. Edgewaters
  17. 1946Without ReservationsSarah (uncredited)
  18. 1946The Virginian
  19. 1946The Falcon's AlibiGloria Peabody
  20. 1945AdventureWoman with Mudgin in bar
  21. 1945DetourHedy
  22. 1945The Great FlamarionCleo
  23. 1944Murder, My SweetJesse Florian
  24. 1944The Big NoiseAunt Sophie
  25. 1944The Miracle of Morgan's CreekSally (uncredited)
  26. 1944Hail the Conquering HeroMrs. Everett J. Noble (uncredited)
  27. 1944Idle RoomersHazel's Roommate (uncredited)
  28. 1943True to LifeWoman (uncredited)
  29. 1942I Married a WitchExtra (uncredited)
  30. 1942The Palm Beach StoryWife of Wienie King
  31. 1942Jackass MailDancehall Girl
  32. 1942My Favorite BlondeMrs. Topley
  33. 1942Sappy Birthday
  34. 1941Sullivan's TravelsMiz Zeffie
  35. 1941The Lady from CheyenneLandlady
  36. 1940San Francisco DocksJean-Beauty Shop owner
  37. 1940The Great McGintyMadame Juliette La Jolla
  38. 1940Social Sea LionsSinger at Party
  39. 1940Boobs in the WoodsMrs. Clyde
  40. 1940Alex in WonderlandBlanche - Fred's Wife
  41. 1939Ride, Cowboy, RideCactus Kate Ramsey
  42. 1939The Gracie Allen Murder CaseFlorist
  43. 1939Broadway SerenadeMrs. Fellows
  44. 1938Swing, Sister, SwingMiss Fredericks
  45. 1938Marie AntoinetteStreetwalker (uncredited)
  46. 1938Scandal StreetBirdie Brown
  47. 1937Stand-InMrs, Mack
  48. 1937Partners in CrimeMrs. Wagon
  49. 1937Dead EndNeighbor with Coarse Voice (uncredited)
  50. 1937Rhythm in the CloudsMrs. Madigan
  51. 1936M'LissRose
  52. 1936Florida SpecialFlirtatious Dowager (uncredited)
  53. 1936Klondike AnnieFanny Radler
  54. 1935Stars Over BroadwayMary Sporesgate
  55. 1935It Always HappensMary Clyde
  56. 1935The Misses StoogeThe Hostess
  57. 1935Straight from the HeartTired Mother
  58. 1935The Best Man WinsMamie
  59. 1934Ready for LoveAunt Ida
  60. 1933SweepingsViolet's Madame (Uncredited)
  61. 1933Below the SeaLily
  62. 1933Grand SlamMary
  63. 1933The Iron MasterMrs. Stillman
  64. 1933Second Hand WifeMrs. Trumbull (Uncredited)
  65. 1932Rackety Rax'Sister' Carrie
  66. 1932Tee for TwoLouisa
  67. 1932Life BeginsMrs. Tubby’s Friend (uncredited)
  68. 1932Winner Take AllAnn, Joan's Friend
  69. 1932Merrily We Go to HellVi
  70. 1932The Cohens and Kellys in HollywoodMrs. Maggie Kelly
  71. 1932A Fool's AdviceMrs. Prescott
  72. 1931Ladies of the Big HouseClara Newman
  73. 1931The VictimThe Wife
  74. 1931The Yellow TicketPrisoner
  75. 1931WickedExtra (uncredited)
  76. 1931The Vice SquadJosie
  77. 1931Ship AhoyThe Mother