Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
October 2, 1874
Died
April 22, 1949 (age 74)
Place of Birth
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA
Also Known As
Charles B. Middleton
Charlie Middleton
Chas. Middleton
Charles Middletown
Charles Brown Middleton
Charles Middleton
Biography
Charles Brown Middleton (October 3, 1874 – April 22, 1949) was an American stage and film actor. During a film career that began at age 46 and lasted almost 30 years, he appeared in nearly 200 films as well as numerous plays. Sometimes credited as Charles B. Middleton, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the villainous emperor Ming the Merciless in the three Flash Gordon serials made between 1936 and 1940.
Known For
Film
Gone with the Wind
Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
1939
Film
The Grapes of Wrath
Leader
1940
Film
Sergeant York
Mountaineer (uncredited)
1941
Film
Batman
Ken Colton
1943
Film
Duck Soup
Prosecutor
1933
Film
Jezebel
Officer (uncredited)
1938
Film
Jesse James
Doctor
1939
Film
The Killers
Farmer (uncredited)
1946
Film
Western Union
Stagecoach Rider
1941
Film
Flash Gordon
Ming the Merciless
1936
Film
Santa Fe Trail
Gentry
1940
Film
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
Train Conductor (uncredited)
1932
Film
The Good Earth
Banker (uncredited)
1937
Film
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Wrecker (uncredited)
1948
Film
Station West
Sheriff
1948
Film
The Flying Deuces
Commandant
1939
Film
Gunfighters
Sheriff #1 (uncredited)
1947
Film
The Sea of Grass
Charley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)
1947
Film
Virginia City
Jefferson Davis
1940
Film
This Day and Age
District Attorney
1933
Filmography
1996FilmThe Boy from Mercuryas Ming the Merciless (Archive Footage)1984FilmGoing Hollywood: The '30sas (archive footage)1982FilmDance of the Cookoosas Commandant1973FilmA Look at the World of 'Soylent Green'as Self (archive footage)1966FilmPeril from the Planet Mongoas Ming the Merciless1966FilmFlash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From Marsas Ming the Merciless1966FilmPurple Death from Outer Spaceas Ming the Merciless1966FilmSpaceship to the Unknownas Ming the Merciless (archive footage)1949FilmThe Last Banditas Blindfolded Circuit Rider1948FilmThe Decision of Christopher Blakeas President in Dream (uncredited)1948FilmJiggs and Maggie in Courtas Mr. Burton, an Attorney1948FilmStation Westas Sheriff1948FilmFeudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'as Townsman (uncredited)1948FilmMr. Blandings Builds His Dream Houseas Wrecker (uncredited)1948FilmHere Comes Troubleas Reporter (uncredited)1948FilmMy Girl Tisa1947FilmThe Pretenderas William the butler1947FilmGunfightersas Sheriff #1 (uncredited)1947FilmWelcome Strangeras Farmer Pinkett (uncredited)1947FilmThe Sea of Grassas Charley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)1946FilmThe Killersas Farmer (uncredited)1946FilmSpook Bustersas Mr. Stiles1946FilmStrangler of the Swampas Ferryman Douglas1945FilmHow DOooo You Doas Sheriff Hayworth1945FilmNorthwest Trailas Pierre1945FilmOur Vines Have Tender Grapesas Mr. Jensen1945FilmHollywood and Vineas Attorney1944FilmThe Town Went Wildas Sam, Midvale District Attorney1944FilmThe Desert Hawkas Koda Bey1944FilmBlack Arrowas Tom Whitney1943FilmWagon Wheels Westas Phineas Hook1943FilmCrazy Houseas Sheriff1943FilmOklahoma Outlawsas Judge Ringle1943FilmBatmanas Ken Colton1943FilmBoobs in the Night1943FilmThe Black Ravenas Sheriff1943FilmSpook Louderas Graves' Valet1942FilmPerils of Nyokaas Cassib1942FilmMen of San Quentinas Saunderson1942FilmThe Mystery of Marie Rogetas Curator1942FilmWild Bill Hickok Ridesas Claim Jumping Leader1941FilmSergeant Yorkas Mountaineer (uncredited)1941FilmJungle Manas Rev. James 'Jim' Graham1941FilmStick to Your Gunsas Long Ben, gambler-saloon owner1941FilmBelle Starras Carpetbagger1941FilmWild Geese Callingas Doctor Jed Sloan1941FilmThe Shepherd of the Hillsas Blacksmith (uncredited)1941FilmWestern Unionas Stagecoach Rider1940FilmSanta Fe Trailas Gentry1940FilmEyes of the Navyas Farmer (uncredited)1940FilmRangers of Fortuneas Water Thug1940FilmBrigham Youngas Mob Member1940FilmGold Rush Maisieas Camp Owner with a Pig (Uncredited)1940FilmWomen in Hidingas Alice's Father (uncredited)1940FilmIsland of Doomed Menas Captain Cort1940FilmCharlie Chan's Murder Cruiseas Jeremiah Walters1940FilmShooting Highas Hod Carson1940FilmVirginia Cityas Jefferson Davis1940FilmThe Grapes of Wrathas Leader1940FilmFlash Gordon Conquers the Universeas Emperor Ming1940FilmAbe Lincoln in Illinoisas Tom Lincoln1939FilmThou Shalt Not Killas Lars Olsen1939FilmGone with the Windas Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)1939FilmCowboys from Texasas Kansas Jones1939FilmAllegheny Uprisingas Dr. Stoke1939FilmThe Flying Deucesas Commandant1939Film$1,000 a Touchdownas Stage Manager (uncredited)1939FilmBlackmailas Southern Deputy (uncredited)1939FilmOne Against the Worldas Mr. Crumley (uncredited)1939FilmWay Down Southas Cass1939FilmWyoming Outlawas Luke Parker1939FilmDaredevils of the Red Circleas 390131939FilmCaptain Furyas Mergon1939FilmThe Oklahoma Kidas Alec Martin1939FilmJesse Jamesas Doctor1938FilmKentuckyas Southerner1938FilmThe Strange Case of Dr. Meadeas Lacey1938FilmMars Attacks the Worldas Ming the Merciless1938FilmDick Tracy Returnsas Pa Stark1938FilmFlaming Frontiersas Ace Daggett1938FilmJoaquin Murrietaas Politician (uncredited)1938FilmJezebelas Officer (uncredited)1938FilmFlash Gordon's Trip to Marsas Emperor Ming1938FilmRocket Shipas Emperor Ming1937FilmThe Man Without a Countryas President Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)1937FilmStand-Inas Actor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln1937FilmThe Last Train from Madridas Warden (uncredited)1937FilmSlave Shipas Slave Dealer1937FilmYodelin' Kid from Pine Ridgeas Gene Autry Sr.1937FilmThe Good Earthas Banker (uncredited)1937FilmHollywood Cowboyas 'Doc' Kramer1937FilmTwo Gun Lawas Wolf Larson1937FilmWe're on the Juryas Mr. Martin1936FilmEmpty Saddlesas Cim White1936FilmCareer Womanas Matt Clay1936FilmWedding Presentas Turnbull1936FilmRamonaas American Settler (uncredited)1936FilmThe Texas Rangersas Lawyer (uncredited)1936FilmJailbreakas Dan Stone1936FilmA Son Comes Homeas Prosecutor1936FilmShow Boatas Sheriff Ike Vallon1936FilmFlash Gordonas Ming the Merciless1936FilmRoad Gangas Grayson1936FilmThe Trail of the Lonesome Pineas Blacksmith1936FilmSong of the Saddleas Phineas P. Hook1936FilmSunset of Poweras Neil Brannum1936FilmRose of the Ranchoas Horse Doctor (uncredited)1935FilmFrisco Kidas Speaker (uncredited)1935FilmSpecial Agentas State Police Commander (uncredited)1935FilmSteamboat Round the Bendas Fleety Belle's Father1935FilmHop-a-long Cassidyas Buck Peters1935FilmRecklessas District Attorney (uncredited)1935FilmThe Miracle Rideras Zaroff1935FilmIn Spite of Dangeras Mr. Merritt1935FilmThe Fixer Uppersas Pierre Gustave1935FilmSquare Shooteras Miller1934FilmRed Morningas Stanchon1934FilmBehold My Wife!as Juan Storm Cloud1934FilmBroadway Billas Veterinarian (uncredited)1934FilmMrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patchas Mr. Bagby1934FilmWhen Strangers Meetas John Tarman1934FilmWhom the Gods Destroyas Constable Malcolm (uncredited)1934FilmMurder at the Vanitiesas Homer Boothby1934FilmThe Last Round-upas Sheriff1934FilmDavid Harumas Deacon1934FilmMassacreas Sheriff Scatters1933FilmMr. Skitchas Joe1933FilmLone Cowboyas U.S. Marshal1933FilmThe World Changesas Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok (uncredited)1933FilmDuck Soupas Prosecutor1933FilmWhite Womanas Fenton1933FilmBig Executiveas Sheriff1933FilmThe Boweryas Detective (uncredited)1933FilmDoctor Bullas Mr. Upjohn1933FilmThis Day and Ageas District Attorney1933FilmDisgraced!as District Attorney1933FilmTomorrow at Sevenas Jerry Simons1933FilmAt Twelve Midnightas Roger Thurston1933FilmSunset Passas Williams1933FilmThe Three Musketeersas El Shaitan (voice)1933FilmDestination Unknownas Turk1933FilmPick-upas Mr. Brewster1933FilmThe Road Is Open Againas Abraham Lincoln1932FilmThe Sign of the Crossas Tyros1932FilmSilver Dollaras Jenkins1932FilmToo Busy to Workas Chief of Police1932FilmRockabyeas District Attorney (uncredited)1932FilmI Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gangas Train Conductor (uncredited)1932FilmBreach of Promiseas Joe Pugmire1932FilmHell's Highwayas Matthew the Hermit1932FilmThe Phantom Presidentas Abe Lincoln (uncredited)1932FilmPack Up Your Troublesas Welfare Association Officer1932FilmMystery Ranchas Henry Steele1932FilmThe Strange Love of Molly Louvainas Police Capt. Slade1932FilmThe Hatchet Manas Lip Hop Fat1932FilmHigh Pressureas Mr. Banks1931FilmManhattan Paradeas Sheriff Casey1931FilmX Marks the Spotas Kirby1931FilmSafe in Hellas Lawyer Jones1931FilmA House Dividedas Minister1931FilmBeau Hunksas Commandant1931FilmSob Sisteras City Editor Baker1931FilmA Dangerous Affairas Tupper1931FilmPalmy Daysas Yolando1931FilmThe Ruling Voiceas Board Member (uncredited)1931FilmAn American Tragedyas Attorney Reuben Jephson1931FilmCaught Plasteredas Sheriff Flint1931FilmThe Miracle Womanas Simpson1931FilmShips of Hateas Captain Lash1930FilmThe Devil's Cabaretas Mr. Satan (uncredited)1930FilmEast Is Westas Dr. Fredericks1930FilmWay Out Westas Buck Rankin1930FilmBeau Banditas Lucius J. Perkins1929FilmWelcome Dangeras John Thorne / The Dragon1929FilmThe Far Callas Kris Larsen1929FilmThe Bellamy Trialas District Attorney1928FilmThe Farmer's Daughteras Hiram Flint