Edward DeKalb Acuff (June 3, 1903 – December 17, 1956) was an American stage and film actor. He frequently was cast as a droll comic relief, in the support of the star. His best-known recurring role is that of Mr. Beasley, the postman, in the Blondie movie series that starred Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake.
Early years Acuff was born in Caruthersville, Missouri. He was the son of DeKalb Acuff (1880-1916)Obituary: DeKalb Acuff, The Pemiscot Argus, Caruthersville, MO., p. 6, 24 Feb. 1916 and his wife Grace (later known as Mrs. H. N. Arnold).
Career Before beginning his Hollywood film career in 1934, Acuff performed in Broadway theatre in the early-1930s. His Broadway credits include Jayhawker (1934), Yellow Jack (1934), John Brown (1934), Growing Pains (1933), Heat Lightning (1933), and The Dark Hours (1932).
In 1935, Warner Bros. signed Acuff to a long-term contract and scheduled him to debut on film in Anchors Aweigh. He had a recurring role as the postman in the Blondie film series. Acuff was seen in three film serials — as Curly in Jungle Girl, as Red Kelly in Daredevils of the West, and as Spud Warner in Chick Carter Detective.
Death On December 17, 1956, Acuff died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California. He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.Resting Places: The Burial Places of 14,000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1934Here Comes the NavyMarine OrderlyUncredited1935Mr. WidgetShort Film; uncreditedShipmates ForeverLincoln 'Cowboy'I Found Stella ParishDimmieMiss Pacific FleetClarence 'Dutch'1936The Petrified ForestLinemanThe Walking DeadBetchaBoulder DamEd HarperColleenUncreditedThe Law in Her HandsEddie O'MalleyThe Golden ArrowDavisCrash DonovanAlabamJailbreakSig PattonThe Case of the Velvet ClawsSpudsy DrakeYellowstoneDesk ClerkUncreditedLaughing at TroubleJamie BradfordCredited as Edward AcuffLet's Make a MillionUncredited1937Guns of the PecosRanger Jeff CarterBlack LegionMetcalfThe Outer GateTodd ShannonCredited as Edward AcuffThe Go GetterBob BlairWhat Price VengeanceTex McGirkThe Singing MarineSamThey Won't ForgetDrugstore ClerkTalent ScoutMusselman - WriterUncreditedBack in CirculationMurphyLove Is on the Air'Dunk' GloverMissing WitnessesDetective PeteUncreditedShe Loved a FiremanSkillet MichaelsHollywood HotelCameraman1938The Invisible MenaceCorporal SangerLaw of the UnderworldBillGangs of New YorkMotoristUncreditedLadies in DistressHorace - First ThugYoung FugitivesLoaferUncreditedThe ChaserPhotographerUncreditedSmashing the RacketsJoe - HoodlumCredited as Edward AcuffFour DaughtersSamYouth Takes a FlingBumKing of AlcatrazStewardUncreditedHow to Watch FootballYelling Fan Next to BenchleyShort Film; uncreditedRhythm of the SaddleDixie ErwinThe Cowboy and the LadyBus DriverUncreditedHis Exciting NightReporterUncreditedNext Time I MarryGas Station AttendantUncreditedRoad DemonSmittyUncreditedRide a Crooked MileAirplane PilotUncredited1939Fighting ThoroughbredsUncreditedThe Phantom CreepsMac - AMI AgentThe Mysterious Miss XPete - PolicemanAmbushBus ConductorUncreditedWings of the NavyReporterUncreditedPersons in HidingCollinsUncreditedHigh PerilShort FilmSociety SmugglersRadio TechnicianBlondie Meets the BossPots and Pans PeddlerUncreditedRough Riders' Round-upTommy WardWinner Take AllSecondUncreditedBlind AlleyState Trooper Stopping FredUncreditedHelp WantedWorkmanShort Film; uncreditedThe Cowboy QuarterbackAirplane PilotMiracles for SaleSecond Taxi DriverUncreditedWhen Tomorrow ComesSecond Bus DriverUncreditedFlight at MidnightStubby - Passenger Plane PilotUncreditedTwo Bright BoysWashburnEspionage AgentUncreditedHero for a DayEddie GibbonsUncreditedOn Dress ParadeFort Lewis SergeantUncreditedThe Roaring TwentiesCabbieUncreditedToo Busy to WorkStage ManagerMeet Dr. ChristianBensonDays of Jesse JamesTrain ConductorUncreditedLawyer WomanBackfire1940Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love!Motorcycle CopUncreditedCafe HostessScottyHoneymoon DeferredCab DriverUncreditedCastle on the HudsonBillUncreditedCharlie Chan in PanamaSailorUncreditedMa! He's Making Eyes at MeCounter ManUncreditedIt's a DateShip's StewardUncreditedStar DustMike, Dallas StagehandUncreditedShooting HighAndy CarsonEnemy AgentFederal Agent Posing as DrunkUncreditedBuck Benny Rides AgainTruck DriverUncreditedFlight AngelsMechanic with AppleUncreditedSailor's LadyGuideManhattan HeartbeatFirst MechanicUncreditedGirls of the RoadBartley - Bus DriverUncreditedThey Drive by NightDriver in CaféUncreditedThe Boys from SyracuseTaxi Cab DriverThe Secret SevenDriverUncreditedMoney and the WomanMr. JonesUncreditedFlowing GoldShorty SmithUncreditedDr. Kildare Goes HomeClifford Genet - OrderlyUncreditedSpring ParadeEarlUncreditedSo You Won't TalkLoungerUncreditedThe Villain Still Pursued HerJoeUncreditedSlightly TemptedHartman - PolicemanUncreditedOne Night in the TropicsFirst S.S. Atlantica StewardUncreditedGallant SonsTaxi DriverScenes deletedThe Bank DickReporterUncreditedDr. Kildare's CrisisClifford Genet - Window CleanerUncreditedThe Border LegionTicket AgentUncreditedTexas Rangers Ride AgainBud - Ranger StenographerUncreditedThe Green Hornet Strikes Again!Lowery - a Reporter1941Robin Hood of the PecosSam StarrSix Lessons from Madame La ZongaStewardHigh SierraBus DriverUncreditedArkansas JudgeTownsmanUncreditedBack StreetAndyUncreditedRide, Kelly, RideRoy WallUncreditedBlondie Goes LatinCab DriverUncreditedThe Great Train RobberyTelegrapherUncreditedHere Comes HappinessBillDutiful But DumbHeadquarters Guard - Right of DoorShort film; uncreditedMr. District AttorneyCabbieUncreditedModel WifeUndetermined RoleUncreditedThe Wagons Roll at NightPickpocket VictimUncreditedThe People vs. Dr. KildareClifford GenetThe Great American BroadcastJimmyBroadway LimitedEngineer's AssistantUncreditedJungle GirlCurly RogersA Very Young LadySheriff Bill StoneUncreditedBad Men of MissouriPeg LegUncreditedRags to RichesAceDr. Kildare's Wedding DayClifford Genet - OrderlyUncreditedBad Man of DeadwoodReporter of Burns' DeathUncreditedThey Died with Their Boots OnCpl. SmithUncreditedMr. District Attorney in the Carter CaseHypoHellzapoppin'Drafted DevilUncredited1942Fly-by-NightGarage AttendantUncreditedDr. Kildare's VictoryClifford GenetThe Lady Is WillingPatrolman MurphyUncreditedWhat's Cookin'DoormanUncreditedSleepytime GalFirst MugUncreditedSing Your Worries AwayTour Map SellerUncreditedTrue to the ArmySgt. RiggsWho Is Hope Schuyler?Arthur GuerneyUncreditedMississippi GamblerEverett - Desk ClerkTake a Letter, DarlingMan Who Picks TeethUncreditedIn This Our LifeWorkerUncreditedShe's in the ArmyPetePrivate BuckarooWaiter CaptainUncreditedYankee Doodle DandyReporterUncreditedThe Postman Didn't RingPhotographerUncreditedCalling Dr. GillespieClifford GenetTimber!ManUncreditedBlondie for VictoryHusband Whose Wife Knits SocksUncreditedPardon My SarongWise Guy at Gas StationUncreditedThe Old HomesteadPolicemanUncreditedBells of CapistranoMug / Sign-Poster #1UncreditedThe War Against Mrs. HadleySoldier in CanteenUncreditedGirl TroubleTaxi DriverUncreditedYouth on ParadeCopUncreditedArmy SurgeonSergeantUncreditedFall InSgt. ToppsUncreditedDr. Gillespie's New AssistantClifford GenetThe Traitor WithinTommy1943Slightly DangerousSoda JerkUncreditedHe Hired the BossDriverUncreditedGood Morning, JudgeCab DriverUncreditedDaredevils of the WestRed KellyPilot #5Newsreel CameramanUncreditedHers to HoldReporterUncreditedHeadin' for God's CountryHugo HigginsGuadalcanal DiaryPvt. Tex McIlvoyUncreditedFlesh and FantasyCopUncreditedSwingtime JohnnyWorkerUncreditedLost AngelPolicemanUncredited1944Week-End PassWaikowskyHat Check HoneyCameramanUncreditedFour Jills in a JeepSentryScenes deletedIt Happened TomorrowJimHey, RookieJokesterUncreditedAndy Hardy's Blonde TroubleTaxi Driver #1UncreditedOnce Upon a TimeShipyard WorkerUncreditedSilent PartnerTaxicab DriverUncreditedSouth of DixieJay HatcherChristmas HolidaySteveUncreditedBride by MistakePhotographerUncreditedWing and a PrayerPharmacist's MateUncreditedI Love a SoldierPrivateUncreditedRainbow IslandSailorUncreditedIn the Meantime, DarlingMilkmanUncreditedIrish Eyes Are SmilingHarryUncreditedSomething for the BoysBlue Army Radio OperatorUncreditedSergeant MikeMonohanUncreditedCarolina BluesEddieUncreditedCan't Help SingingCavalry OfficerUncreditedBelle of the YukonMinerUncredited1945She Gets Her ManBoze - PhotographerRoughly SpeakingBilliards PlayerUncreditedHer Lucky NightChauffeurLeave It to BlondieMailmanUncreditedWithout LoveTaxi DriverUncreditedThe ClockFirst Subway OfficialUncreditedBetween Two WomenOrderlyBrewster's MillionsCab DriverUncreditedDiamond HorseshoeClarinet PlayerUncreditedHoneymoon AheadConnorsWonder ManPelican Club DoormanUncreditedFlame of Barbary CoastFiremanUncreditedThe Frozen GhostReporter in HallwayUncreditedDon Juan QuilliganCustomer at Mossrock'sUncreditedThe Jungle CaptiveBillOn Stage EverybodyGeorgeUncreditedThe Hidden EyeWhiteyShadow of TerrorJoe WaltersLife with BlondieMailmanUncreditedSan AntonioGawking TownsmanUncredited1946Meet Me on BroadwayWaiterUncreditedThe Notorious Lone WolfDetective JonesUncreditedThe Flying SerpentJerry 'Jonsey' JonesCinderella JonesTruck DriverUncreditedRenegadesStagecoach DriverUncreditedBlonde AlibiAmbulance AttendantUncreditedBad BascombCorporal FinchUncreditedInside JobJerryUncreditedChick Carter, DetectiveSpud WarnerDanger WomanReporterUncreditedThe Bamboo BlondeM.P. SergeantUncreditedThree Little Girls in BlueJoshUncreditedWake Up and DreamBus DriverUncreditedGallant BessChief Petty OfficerUncreditedHeldoradoCarnival Shooting Gallery AttendantLady in the LakeEd - CoronerUncredited1947Blondie's Big MomentMailmanUncreditedThe Sea of GrassCattlemanUncreditedSuddenly, It's SpringMan Retrieving PajamasUncreditedBuck Privates Come HomeSoldierUncreditedBlondie's HolidayPostmanBells of San AngeloBus DriverSwing the Western WayMr. SpraggsWyomingNesterUncreditedThe Secret Life of Walter MittyWells Fargo CowboyUncreditedDown to EarthStage HandUncreditedExposedPoliceman at Bentry Mansion DoorUncreditedBlack GoldColonel Caldwell's Ranch ForemanUncreditedBlondie in the DoughPostmanThe Fabulous TexanTelegrapherUncreditedRoses Are RedReporterUncreditedBandits of Dark CanyonStage Passenger FaradayBlondie's AnniversaryMailmanUncredited1948Slippy McGeeCharlieG-Men Never Forget'Fiddler' - Used Car SalesmanBlack BartElkinsUncreditedSong of IdahoHash BrownBlondie's RewardMr. JohnsonThe Timber TrailTelegraph OperatorCoroner CreekBitUncreditedNorthwest StampedeHamburger VendorUncreditedThe Return of OctoberStable BoyUncreditedLeather GlovesDukeBungalow 13José FernandoSmoky Mountain MelodyJenkinsBlondie's SecretMr. Beasley1949Blondie's Big DealMr. BeasleyHome in San AntonePostmanUncreditedJohnny AllegroSamUncreditedMiss Grant Takes RichmondBus DriverUncredited1950The MilkmanHerman SchultzUncredited1951Painting the Clouds with SunshineGolden Egg DoormanUncredited1952Stop, You're Killing MeCab DriverUncredited; final role
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1950The Lone RangerSheriffEpisode: "Sheep Thieves"
References
External links