Gordon Westcott

Gordon Westcott (born Myrthus Hickman, November 6, 1903 – October 30, 1935) was an American film actor.

Gordon Westcott
From Murder in the Clouds (1934)
Born
Myrthus Hickman

(1903-11-06)November 6, 1903
St. George, Utah, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 1935(1935-10-30) (aged 31)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1927–1935
Spouse(s)Margaret Cardon (1922–19??; divorced)
Hazel Beth McArthur (19??–1935; his death)
Children2, including Helen Westcott

Biography

Born in St. George, Utah, in 1903, Westcott studied architecture at the University of Chicago, where he was also lightweight boxing champion of the university.[1] Westcott was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.[2]

Westcott acted on stage in New York, Utah, and California, before he made the move to film.[3]

He became a contract player with Warner Brothers and appeared in 37 films between 1928 and 1935,[4] starring alongside such up and comers as Bette Davis, Loretta Young and James Cagney.

After appearing in a string of Pre-Code productions, and working with such directors as William A. Wellman, Busby Berkeley and William Dieterle, his film career ended with his death on October 30, 1935 from a skull fracture[5] sustained in a polo accident that occurred three days earlier. He was 31 years old and survived by his second wife and two children.[6]

Family

His son, from a brief 1922 marriage to Margaret Cardon Hickman (1902–1991), was Louis C. Hickman (1922–2016). His daughter, by Hazel Bethea McArthur, was actress Helen Westcott (1928–1998).

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1928Our Dancing DaughtersDiana's Party FriendUncredited
1929Queen KellyLackey(unbilled), Uncredited
1931Enemies of the LawBlackie
1932Merrily We Go to HellParty BoyUncredited
1932Guilty as HellDr. GoodmanUncredited
1932Devil and the DeepLt. Toll
1932Love Me TonightCredit Manager of the Association of Retail MerchantsUncredited
1932Heritage of the DesertSnap Naab
1933The Crime of the CenturyGilbert Reid
1933He Learned About WomenEddie Clifford
1933The Working ManFred Pettison
1933Lilly TurnerRex Durkee
1933Private Detective 62Bandor
1933Heroes for SaleRoger[7]
1933VoltaireThe Captain
1933Footlight ParadeThompson
1933The World ChangesJohn Nordholm
1933Convention CityPhil Lorraine / Frank Wilson
1934Dark HazardJoe
1934I've Got Your NumberNicky
1934Fashions of 1934Harry Brent
1934Registered NurseJim Benton
1934Fog Over FriscoJoe Bello
1934The Circus ClownFrank
1934Call It Luck'Lucky' Luke Bartlett
1934Kansas City PrincessJimmy the Dude aka Frankie Smith
1934The Case of the Howling DogArthur Cartwright
19346 Day Bike RiderHarry St. Clair
1934Murder in the CloudsGeorge Wexley
1935The White CockatooDr. Roberts
1935A Night at the RitzJoe Scurvin
1935Go into Your DanceFred
1935Going HighbrowSam Long
1935Front Page WomanMaitland Coulter
1935Bright LightsWellington
1935Two-FistedGeorge Parker
1935This Is the LifeEd Revier(final film role)

References
  1. "Fight Training Is Aid to Actor Now". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. August 31, 1927. p. 25. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Biographies: Latter-day Saint and/or Utah Film Personalities: W". www.ldsfilm.com.
  3. "Gordon Wescott [sic] Dies from Skull Injury". The Oshkosh Northwestern. Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Associated Press. October 31, 1935. p. 4. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Hunter, James Michael (2013). Mormons and Popular Culture: The Global Influence of an American Phenomenon. ABC-CLIO. pp. 253–254. ISBN 9780313391675. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  5. "Polo Game Injuries Take Actor's Life". Star Tribune. Minnesota, Minneapolis. Associated Press. October 31, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved July 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "The Ogden Standard-Examiner from Ogden, Utah on October 31, 1935 · Page 18". newspapers.com.
  7. "Warner Brothers film release; aired on TCM, 12 January 2013
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