Tom Kennedy - Actor Profile

Tom Kennedy

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jul 14, 1885
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Tom Kennedy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tom Kennedy (July 15, 1885 – October 6, 1965) was an American actor known for his roles in Hollywood comedies from the silent days, with such producers as Mack Sennett and Hal Roach, mainly supporting lead comedians such as the Marx Brothers, W. C. Fields, Mabel Normand, Shemp Howard, Laurel and Hardy, and the Three Stooges. Kennedy also played dramatic roles as a supporting actor. For over 50 years, from 1915 to 1965, he appeared in over 320 films and television series, often uncredited. His first film was a short black and white comedy, His Luckless Love. Kennedy was in all nine Torchy Blane films as Gahagan, the poetry-spouting cop whose running line was, "What a day! What a day!" He is often erroneously listed in film sources as the brother of slow-burning comedian Edgar Kennedy. Though the two men were not related, they were apparently good friends, with Tom appearing in many of Edgar's domestic two-reel comedy shorts. Tom Kennedy was also paired with Stooge Shemp Howard for several shorts for Columbia Pictures such as Society Mugs, as well as appearing with the Three Stooges in the films Loose Loot and Spooks!. He was also paired with El Brendel for four shorts, such as Phoney Cronies in 1942. His television appearances included episodes of Perry Mason, Maverick, My Favorite Martian, and Gunsmoke. Tom Kennedy continued making films right up until his death, his last film being the western The Bounty Killer.

Tom Kennedy Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Tom Kennedy reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Tom Kennedy's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of Tom Kennedy's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Here Comes Elmer, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Tom Kennedy Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Tom Kennedy's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Tom Kennedy has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
1999 Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl Self (from Mantrap [1926]) (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
N/A Home Work Repairman Super Hit Similar →
1959 Some Like It Hot Bouncer (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1955 Hook a Crook I. Katchum (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1951 Fraidy Cat I. Katchum (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1951 Let's Go Navy! Officer Donovan Super Hit Similar →
1951 The Awful Sleuth Pinky Super Hit Similar →
1946 Jiggers, My Wife Joe Super Hit Similar →
1944 Take It Big Moving Man (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1944 Radio Rampage Mr. Thompson Super Hit Similar →
1943 Wedtime Stories House Detective Super Hit Similar →
1943 True to Life Customer (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1943 Here Comes Elmer Johnson Super Hit Similar →
1943 Cutie on Duty Rocky Super Hit Similar →
1942 Pretty Dolly Gus Super Hit Similar →
1942 Butch Minds the Baby Philly the Weeper Super Hit Similar →
1942 Home Work - Super Hit Similar →
1941 Sweet Spirits of the Nighter Tom Super Hit Similar →
1941 The Officer and the Lady Bumps O'Neil Super Hit Similar →
1941 Sailors on Leave Dugan Super Hit Similar →
1941 Man-I-Cured House Detective, Maizie's Boy Friend Super Hit Similar →
1941 The Great Swindle Capper Smith Super Hit Similar →
1938 Making the Headlines Police Sergeant Handley Super Hit Similar →
1937 Calling All Curtains - Super Hit Similar →
1937 New News Tom Kennedy Super Hit Similar →
1936 Wives Never Know Bartender (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1935 Gobs of Trouble - Super Hit Similar →
1935 Stage Frights - Super Hit Similar →
1935 Sock Me to Sleep Battling McGee Super Hit Similar →
1935 Gum Shoes - Super Hit Similar →
1934 Cracked Shots Tom 'Pinky' Kennedy Super Hit Similar →
1932 Fish Feathers - Super Hit Similar →
1931 Young as You Feel Colorado Detective Super Hit Similar →
1929 Glad Rag Doll Manager Super Hit Similar →
1929 The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City Crook Super Hit Similar →
1928 Marked Money Bill Clemons Super Hit Similar →
1928 None But the Brave Noah Super Hit Similar →
1927 Silver Valley 'Hayfever' Hawkins Super Hit Similar →
1927 Fireman, Save My Child Capt. Kennedy Super Hit Similar →
1927 Alias The Deacon Bull Moran Super Hit Similar →
1927 The Mysterious Rider Lem Spooner Super Hit Similar →
1926 Man of the Forest Sheriff Super Hit Similar →
1926 The Yankee Señor Luke Martin Super Hit Similar →
1925 The Best Bad Man Dan Ellis Super Hit Similar →
1924 Loving Lies Captain Lindstrom Super Hit Similar →
1922 Our Leading Citizen Boots Super Hit Similar →
1922 Full o' Pep - Super Hit Similar →
1921 Serenade Zambrano Super Hit Similar →
1920 Kismet Kutayt Super Hit Similar →
1919 Cupid's Day Off Gambling House Operator Super Hit Similar →

Tom Kennedy - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Tom Kennedy?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Tom Kennedy is "Here Comes Elmer" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Tom Kennedy acted in?

Tom Kennedy has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Tom Kennedy?

Other notable films include "Man of the Forest", "Cutie on Duty", and "New News".

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