Charles Middleton

Acting • 1874-10-02 • Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA

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

6.4

The Flying Deuces

1939

6.8

Beau Hunks

1931

7.3

Duck Soup

1933

6.8

The Fixer Uppers

1935

6.4

Flash Gordon

1936

6.7

The Miracle Woman

1931

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Filmography

1996
The Boy from MercuryFilm
Ming the Merciless (Archive Footage)
★ 8.0
1984
Going Hollywood: The '30sFilm
(archive footage)
★ 9.0
1982
Dance of the CookoosFilm
Commandant
★ 10.0
1973
A Look at the World of 'Soylent Green'Film
Self (archive footage)
★ 6.5
1966
Purple Death from Outer SpaceFilm
Ming the Merciless
★ 5.8
1966
Spaceship to the UnknownFilm
Ming the Merciless (archive footage)
★ 7.3
1966
Flash Gordon: The Deadly Ray From MarsFilm
Ming the Merciless
★ 10.0
1966
Peril from the Planet MongoFilm
Ming the Merciless
★ 7.0
1949
The Last BanditFilm
Blindfolded Circuit Rider
★ 7.0
1948
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream HouseFilm
Wrecker (uncredited)
★ 7.0
1948
Station WestFilm
Sheriff
★ 6.4
1948
Here Comes TroubleFilm
Reporter (uncredited)
★ 5.2
1948
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'Film
Townsman (uncredited)
★ 7.3
1948
The Decision of Christopher BlakeFilm
President in Dream (uncredited)
★ 3.8
1948
My Girl TisaFilm
★ 9.0
1948
Jiggs and Maggie in CourtFilm
Mr. Burton, an Attorney
★ 8.0
1947
The Sea of GrassFilm
Charley - Saloon Owner (uncredited)
★ 6.1
1947
GunfightersFilm
Sheriff #1 (uncredited)
★ 5.6
1947
The PretenderFilm
William the butler
★ 5.8
1947
Welcome StrangerFilm
Farmer Pinkett (uncredited)
★ 6.9
1946
The KillersFilm
Farmer (uncredited)
★ 7.4
1946
Strangler of the SwampFilm
Ferryman Douglas
★ 5.8
1946
Spook BustersFilm
Mr. Stiles
★ 5.5
1945
Our Vines Have Tender GrapesFilm
Mr. Jensen
★ 7.1
1945
Hollywood and VineFilm
Attorney
★ 4.4
1945
Northwest TrailFilm
Pierre
★ 5.8
1945
How DOooo You DoFilm
Sheriff Hayworth
★ 7.5
1944
The Town Went WildFilm
Sam, Midvale District Attorney
★ 7.0
1944
The Desert HawkFilm
Koda Bey
★ 6.5
1944
Black ArrowFilm
Tom Whitney
★ 7.0
1943
BatmanFilm
Ken Colton
★ 6.2
1943
The Black RavenFilm
Sheriff
★ 5.5
1943
Spook LouderFilm
Graves' Valet
★ 7.2
1943
Wagon Wheels WestFilm
Phineas Hook
★ 7.0
1943
Oklahoma OutlawsFilm
Judge Ringle
★ 6.2
1943
Crazy HouseFilm
Sheriff
★ 6.0
1943
Boobs in the NightFilm
★ 10.0
1942
The Mystery of Marie RogetFilm
Curator
★ 5.7
1942
Wild Bill Hickok RidesFilm
Claim Jumping Leader
★ 5.5
1942
Men of San QuentinFilm
Saunderson
★ 9.0
1942
Perils of NyokaFilm
Cassib
★ 8.0
1941
Sergeant YorkFilm
Mountaineer (uncredited)
★ 7.2
1941
Western UnionFilm
Stagecoach Rider
★ 6.0
1941
The Shepherd of the HillsFilm
Blacksmith (uncredited)
★ 6.6
1941
Belle StarrFilm
Carpetbagger
★ 5.9
1941
Jungle ManFilm
Rev. James 'Jim' Graham
★ 3.2
1941
Wild Geese CallingFilm
Doctor Jed Sloan
★ 6.5
1941
Stick to Your GunsFilm
Long Ben, gambler-saloon owner
★ 5.7
1940
The Grapes of WrathFilm
Leader
★ 7.8
1940
Santa Fe TrailFilm
Gentry
★ 5.7
1940
Virginia CityFilm
Jefferson Davis
★ 6.3
1940
Abe Lincoln in IllinoisFilm
Tom Lincoln
★ 7.0
1940
Charlie Chan's Murder CruiseFilm
Jeremiah Walters
★ 6.8
1940
Flash Gordon Conquers the UniverseFilm
Emperor Ming
★ 5.8
1940
Island of Doomed MenFilm
Captain Cort
★ 5.5
1940
Brigham YoungFilm
Mob Member
★ 4.6
1940
Eyes of the NavyFilm
Farmer (uncredited)
★ 7.4
1940
Gold Rush MaisieFilm
Camp Owner with a Pig (Uncredited)
★ 6.9
1940
Women in HidingFilm
Alice's Father (uncredited)
★ 7.0
1940
Shooting HighFilm
Hod Carson
★ 7.0
1940
Rangers of FortuneFilm
Water Thug
★ 6.5
1939
Gone with the WindFilm
Man with Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited)
★ 7.9
1939
The Flying DeucesFilm
Commandant
★ 6.4
1939
Jesse JamesFilm
Doctor
★ 6.6
1939
The Oklahoma KidFilm
Alec Martin
★ 6.0
1939
Allegheny UprisingFilm
Dr. Stoke
★ 5.9
1939
Wyoming OutlawFilm
Luke Parker
★ 5.8
1939
BlackmailFilm
Southern Deputy (uncredited)
★ 6.9
1939
Captain FuryFilm
Mergon
★ 5.6
1939
Way Down SouthFilm
Cass
★ 6.4
1939
One Against the WorldFilm
Mr. Crumley (uncredited)
★ 8.0
1939
Daredevils of the Red CircleFilm
39013
★ 4.8
1939
Cowboys from TexasFilm
Kansas Jones
★ 6.0
1939
Thou Shalt Not KillFilm
Lars Olsen
★ 8.0
1939
$1,000 a TouchdownFilm
Stage Manager (uncredited)
★ 3.7
1938
JezebelFilm
Officer (uncredited)
★ 7.0
1938
Flash Gordon's Trip to MarsFilm
Emperor Ming
★ 6.3
1938
KentuckyFilm
Southerner
★ 6.1
1938
Flaming FrontiersFilm
Ace Daggett
★ 5.1
1938
Rocket ShipFilm
Emperor Ming
★ 6.3
1938
Dick Tracy ReturnsFilm
Pa Stark
★ 6.0
1938
Joaquin MurrietaFilm
Politician (uncredited)
★ 7.3
1938
Mars Attacks the WorldFilm
Ming the Merciless
★ 6.5
1938
The Strange Case of Dr. MeadeFilm
Lacey
★ 6.5
1937
The Good EarthFilm
Banker (uncredited)
★ 6.3
1937
Stand-InFilm
Actor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln
★ 6.5
1937
The Man Without a CountryFilm
President Abraham Lincoln (uncredited)
★ 6.1
1937
The Last Train from MadridFilm
Warden (uncredited)
★ 4.8
1937
Slave ShipFilm
Slave Dealer
★ 5.1
1937
We're on the JuryFilm
Mr. Martin
★ 6.2
1937
Hollywood CowboyFilm
'Doc' Kramer
★ 5.5
1937
Yodelin' Kid from Pine RidgeFilm
Gene Autry Sr.
★ 6.7
1937
Two Gun LawFilm
Wolf Larson
★ 10.0
1936
Show BoatFilm
Sheriff Ike Vallon
★ 6.7
1936
Flash GordonFilm
Ming the Merciless
★ 6.4
1936
The Trail of the Lonesome PineFilm
Blacksmith
★ 6.5
1936
The Texas RangersFilm
Lawyer (uncredited)
★ 6.6
1936
Wedding PresentFilm
Turnbull
★ 6.2
1936
JailbreakFilm
Dan Stone
★ 6.7
1936
Road GangFilm
Grayson
★ 7.0
1936
RamonaFilm
American Settler (uncredited)
★ 5.8
1936
Song of the SaddleFilm
Phineas P. Hook
★ 7.3
1936
Empty SaddlesFilm
Cim White
★ 10.0
1936
Career WomanFilm
Matt Clay
★ 6.0
1936
Sunset of PowerFilm
Neil Brannum
★ 8.0
1936
Rose of the RanchoFilm
Horse Doctor (uncredited)
★ 7.0
1936
A Son Comes HomeFilm
Prosecutor
★ 4.0
1935
The Fixer UppersFilm
Pierre Gustave
★ 6.8
1935
Steamboat Round the BendFilm
Fleety Belle's Father
★ 7.5
1935
Special AgentFilm
State Police Commander (uncredited)
★ 6.1
1935
RecklessFilm
District Attorney (uncredited)
★ 5.2
1935
Frisco KidFilm
Speaker (uncredited)
★ 7.0
1935
Square ShooterFilm
Miller
★ 6.2
1935
Hop-a-long CassidyFilm
Buck Peters
★ 6.5
1935
The Miracle RiderFilm
Zaroff
★ 5.5
1935
The Virginia JudgeFilm
Cyrus Higgins
★ 10.0
1935
In Spite of DangerFilm
Mr. Merritt
★ 5.5
1934
Broadway BillFilm
Veterinarian (uncredited)
★ 6.0
1934
Murder at the VanitiesFilm
Homer Boothby
★ 5.7
1934
MassacreFilm
Sheriff Scatters
★ 5.5
1934
The St. Louis KidFilm
Sheriff (uncredited)
★ 6.3
1934
Behold My Wife!Film
Juan Storm Cloud
★ 8.0
1934
Whom the Gods DestroyFilm
Constable Malcolm (uncredited)
★ 6.0
1934
When Strangers MeetFilm
John Tarman
★ 10.0
1934
David HarumFilm
Deacon
★ 7.5
1934
Red MorningFilm
Stanchon
★ 5.7
1934
The Last Round-upFilm
Sheriff
★ 8.0
1934
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage PatchFilm
Mr. Bagby
★ 6.0
1933
Duck SoupFilm
Prosecutor
★ 7.3
1933
Doctor BullFilm
Mr. Upjohn
★ 6.7
1933
Tomorrow at SevenFilm
Jerry Simons
★ 6.2
1933
The BoweryFilm
Detective (uncredited)
★ 5.4
1933
White WomanFilm
Fenton
★ 5.8
1933
The Three MusketeersFilm
El Shaitan (voice)
★ 5.7
1933
The World ChangesFilm
Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok (uncredited)
★ 4.8
1933
Pick-upFilm
Mr. Brewster
★ 5.1
1933
Mr. SkitchFilm
Joe
★ 7.3
1933
Sunset PassFilm
Williams
★ 8.0
1933
At Twelve MidnightFilm
Roger Thurston
★ 5.7
1933
Lone CowboyFilm
U.S. Marshal
★ 4.0
1933
This Day and AgeFilm
District Attorney
★ 5.0
1933
Disgraced!Film
District Attorney
★ 6.5
1933
The Road Is Open AgainFilm
Abraham Lincoln
★ 7.0
1933
Big ExecutiveFilm
Sheriff
★ 7.0
1933
Destination UnknownFilm
Turk
★ 7.0
1932
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain GangFilm
Train Conductor (uncredited)
★ 7.8
1932
Pack Up Your TroublesFilm
Welfare Association Officer
★ 6.8
1932
The Sign of the CrossFilm
Tyros
★ 6.5
1932
Hell's HighwayFilm
Matthew the Hermit
★ 6.1
1932
RockabyeFilm
District Attorney (uncredited)
★ 6.5
1932
The Strange Love of Molly LouvainFilm
Police Capt. Slade
★ 6.1
1932
The Hatchet ManFilm
Lip Hop Fat
★ 5.4
1932
High PressureFilm
Mr. Banks
★ 5.8
1932
The Phantom PresidentFilm
Abe Lincoln (uncredited)
★ 6.5
1932
Silver DollarFilm
Jenkins
★ 6.2
1932
Mystery RanchFilm
Henry Steele
★ 7.0
1932
Breach of PromiseFilm
Joe Pugmire
★ 10.0
1932
Too Busy to WorkFilm
Chief of Police
★ 6.5
1931
Beau HunksFilm
Commandant
★ 6.8
1931
The Miracle WomanFilm
Simpson
★ 6.7
1931
Safe in HellFilm
Lawyer Jones
★ 6.7
1931
An American TragedyFilm
Attorney Reuben Jephson
★ 6.3
1931
Palmy DaysFilm
Yolando
★ 7.2
1931
The Ruling VoiceFilm
Board Member (uncredited)
★ 6.2
1931
Caught PlasteredFilm
Sheriff Flint
★ 6.2
1931
X Marks the SpotFilm
Kirby
★ 6.5
1931
A House DividedFilm
Minister
★ 5.6
1931
Ships of HateFilm
Captain Lash
★ 7.5
1931
Manhattan ParadeFilm
Sheriff Casey
★ 3.2
1931
Sob SisterFilm
City Editor Baker
★ 7.0
1931
A Dangerous AffairFilm
Tupper
★ 7.0
1930
Way Out WestFilm
Buck Rankin
★ 6.1
1930
The Devil's CabaretFilm
Mr. Satan (uncredited)
★ 5.9
1930
Beau BanditFilm
Lucius J. Perkins
★ 4.6
1930
East Is WestFilm
Dr. Fredericks
★ 5.3
1929
Welcome DangerFilm
John Thorne / The Dragon
★ 4.9
1929
The Far CallFilm
Kris Larsen
★ 8.0
1929
The Bellamy TrialFilm
District Attorney
★ 4.0
1928
The Farmer's DaughterFilm
Hiram Flint
★ 10.0