Many actors become identified with one particular film or role. In the
case of this prolific thespian, that film is "Battleground" (1949) one of
the best war films ever made. He played the role of 'Kip' Kippton, the soldier
with ill-fitting dentures which he clicked throughout the film. He was born
Daniel Vincent Fowley on May 30, 1911 in the Bronx, New York and like many
fellow New York actors began his career on the stage but he migrated to
Hollywood as a young man where he attended Los Angeles City College. He
made his screen debut in "The Mad Game" (1933) with Spencer Tracy. His film
career was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the Navy, and
resumed after the War. Although he appeared in numerous films and on many
TV series, "Battleground" remains his best work. He appeared in over 200
films including: "The Thin Man" (1934) in a bit part as a Taxi Driver; "36
Hours to Kill" (1936) as Duke Benson; "Charlie Chan on Broadway" (1937)
as John Burke; "Time Out for Murder" (1938) as Dutch Moran; "Alexander's
Ragtime Band" (1938) as Snapper; "Mr. Moto's Gamble" (1938) as Nick Crowder;
"Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" (1939) as Peter Lewis; "Dodge City" (1939)
as Munger; "20 Mule Team" (1940) as Stag Roper; "Ellery Queen, Master Detective"
(1940) as Rocky Taylor; "Jitterbugs" (1943) with Laurel & Hardy, as Bennett;
"See Here, Private Hargrove" (1944) as Capt. Manville; "The Story of Dr.
Wassell" (1944) in an uncredited Bit Part ; "Life With Blondie" (1946) as
Blackie; "Mighty Joe Young" (1949) as Jones; "Singin' in the Rain" (1952)
as Roscoe Dexter, the film director; "Cat Women of the Moon" (1953) as Walt
Walters; "Casanova's Big Night" (1954) one of Bob Hope's best films, as
2nd Prisoner; "The High and the Mighty" (1954) as Alsop; "Barabbas" (1962)
with Anthony Quinn, as Vasasio; "The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964) as Toothless
Cowboy; "Walking Tall" (1973) as Judge Clark; "The White Buffalo" (1977)
as Amos Bixby and "The North Avenue Irregulars" (1979) as Delaney, his last
film. On TV he played Doc Fabrique and later Doc Holliday on "The Life and
Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955-61); Grandpa on "Pistols and Petticoats" (1966-67)
and "Detective School" (1979) as Robert Redford. He guest starred on numerous
TV series including: "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok"; "Perry Mason";
"The Rockford Files" and "CHiPs." He wrote and produced the 1960 film "Macumba
Love." He died on May 21, 1998 at age 86 in Woodland Hills, California of
natural causes.
