Ernie Alexander
born: 27 January 1898
Terry, South Dakota,
United States of America
died: 16 June 1945
Los Angeles, California,
United States of America
(coronary occlusion, age 47)
American actor. He began working in Mack Sennett comedies before shifting over to Hal Roach. Born in Terry, South Dakota to Albert Audley Alexander (1871-1958) and Effie Martha Reed (1872-1954). He had one brother, William Audley Alexander (1895-1987). To add weight to the "Ernie" nickname, the 1900 and 1910 Censuses refer to him as "Ernest" and "Ernest J," though a birth record, as well as all preceding sources, support the order of James Ernest. His WWI draft registration card lists his stats as: medium height, slender build, blue eyes, brown hair. By the time James filled out the card, the family had moved to L.A. (father Albert, a bank teller, is in the LA city directories as early as 1911 -- they are in Colorado in the 1910 Census).
On 31 Mar 1923, James Ernest married Marjorie E. MacDonald (1904-1999) in Santa Ana, California. At the time, J.E. was a salesman for the Standard Oil Co. By the 1928 city directory, however, James was an actor. While 1930 Census profession says "none," he continued to be listed as an actor in the 1929, 1930, 1932, 1934 and 1936 city directories (cannot find 1931, 1933 or 1937). As for 1938, 1939 and 1942 (the other ones available to me), I "lose" him, though the 1940 Census has him as a bit player in the movie industry.
He died of coronary occlusion (15 hours) due to coronary thrombosis and coronary heart disease (4 years); he previously suffered from coronary thrombosis two years prior to his more recent and fatal bout. He succumbed at his home (2055 Fox Hills Drive, Los Angeles, California), and was working as a make-up artist for Paramount at the time of his death. He was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. His widow, Marjorie, died in 1999.

*At least one source gives dates of 11 Feb 1890, Wichita, Kansas - 12 Dec 1961, Los Angeles, California. Based on extensive and trustworthy research made by Jesse Brisson, this information is now considered inaccurate.
Real name: James Ernest Alexander
Height: 5'8¼"
Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography;
plus 1 film with Laurel & Hardy;
plus 1 Our Gang film.

33


1932
The Chimp
Stunt double for Stan Laurel

1932
Show Business
Stunts

1932
Young Ironsides
Elevator operator

1932
Strange Innertube
Cabbie

1932
Alum And Eve
Intern

1932
The Soilers
Maintenance man

1933
His Silent Racket
Busy store employee

1933
One Track Minds
Train passenger

1933
Sherman Said It
Soldier

1933
Beauty And The Bus
Theatre patron behind Patsy

1933
Sons Of The Desert
Third waiter at convention

1934
Babes In The Goods
Spectator

1934
Hi-Neighbor!
Pedestrian
 

1934
Soup And Fish
Dog hospital intern
 

1934
Next Week-End
Nightclub patron

1934
I'll Be Suing You
Angry driver

1934
It Happened One Day
Office clerk

1934
Three Chumps Ahead
Pool hall patron/
Cafe patron

1934
Washee Ironee
Pedestrian
 

1934
Babes In Toyland
Townsman
 

1934
The Chases Of Pimple Street
Newspaper guy outside nightclub

1935
Beginner's Luck
Audience member

1936
An All-American Toothache
Football player #16

1936
The Lucky Corner
First customer

1936
Hill-Tillies
Photographer

1936
Kelly The Second
Cecil's handler
 

1936
Our Relations
Extra in Denker's Beer Garden/nightclub
 

1936
General Spanky
Boat passenger
 

1937
Reunion In Rhythm
Band leader

1937
Topper
Reporter

1937
Framing Youth
Usher
 

1938
Swiss Miss
[unidentified character]
 

1940
Saps At Sea
Newsboy
DVD screencapture - Lord Heath - Laurel & Hardy - Another Nice Mess - http://www.lordheath.com/
NON-HAL ROACH FILMS

1934
Hollywood Party
Servant at party

1942
Unexpected Riches
Mickey's father

Acknowledgements:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:QKD8-T4F4 (birth)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-267-11838-172066-31 ?cc=1325221 (1900 Census, line 60)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-267-12069-43847-86? cc=1325221 (1900 Census, line 61)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1951-23010-8791-70? cc=1727033 (1910 Census, line 4)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1971-26183-19976-16 ?cc=1968530 (WWI Draft Reg Card)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22900-10919- 18?cc=1488411 (1920 Census, line 40)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1942-29901-503-87?c c=1804002 (marriage)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22728-9935-82? cc=1810731 (1930 Census, line 55)
https://familysearch.org/pal:/ MM9.3.1/TH-1942-27799-2472-47? cc=2000219 (1940 Census, line 33)
https://www.fold3.com/document/629092545/ (WWII draft reg. card)
https://familysearch.org/ark:/ 61903/1:1:VPQ6-X7C (CA Death Index)
His appearance in It Happened One Day is my own observation.
Some sources list him as an audience member in Our Gang's "Rushin' Ballet" but I think this is wrong.
Jesse Brisson (help and information; identification in Strange Innertube, His Silent Racket,
The Chases Of Pimple Street, Babes In The Goods, Next Week-End, The Chimp, Show Business, Sherman Said It)

This page was last updated on: 04 September 2024