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Martin Wolfkeil
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born:
21 March 1900 Hazelton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States of America |
died:
10 September 1962 Hamilton, Butler, Ohio, United States of America (heart-related trouble, age 62) |
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Tall, stout, blue-eyed American actor, nicknamed "Tonnage" (by Will Rogers), who had a steady stream of film roles at the Hal Roach Studios in the 1920s. World War I Draft Card (September 12, 1918): Martin Robert Wolfskeil is living at 200 W. Chapel, Hazleton, Luz., Pa. He is a brakeman at Lehigh Valley Railroad Co. In late 1939, Stan hired "Tonnage" as a bodyguard during his turbulent marriage to Vera Ivanova Shuvalova (AKA "Illeana"). 1940 Census (April 8, 1940) Martin, shaving 10 years off his age, is a guest living in LA with Stan and others, including Pete Gordon. His profession is listed as enginer [sic] on a steam ship. Five years earlier (April 1, 1935), he was at sea. On February 6, 1941, "Tonnage" sued Stan for nonpayment of services (he served as Stan's bodyguard for nine months), demanding $2,700. The 396-pound ex-bodyguard was quoted as saying, "I've been through hazardous experiences in four corners of the world. I was torpedoed three times. I would rather take a few more torpedoes than put in another nine months like those with my friend, Mr. Laurel." Reflecting, Stan typed in a letter to Ernie Murphy: "I just heard that "Tonnage" died (heart trouble) glad I [was not] invited to be a Pall-bearer! Imagine carrying all that HEAP!!" |
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Real name: Martin Robert Wolfkeil Height: 6'2" |
Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography. |
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