Fred 'Snowflake' Toones
Acting
Fred "Snowflake" Toones was a character actor who appeared in over 200 films between 1928 and 1951. He often worked under contract for Republic Pictures, appearing in about 40 of its films. He played a bootblack or shoeshine man in at least six of his movies, and Toones actually ran the shoeshine stand at Republic Studios. He first appeared as a porter in 1932 in The Hurricane Express and was usually typecast as a porter - appearing in over 50 films in such a role. He also played a variety of other service-oriented or domestic worker roles such as stable grooms, janitors, elevator operators, valets, cooks, bellhops, doormen, butlers, and bartenders. Like other actors of the time, i.e. Anna May Wong and Franklin Pangborn, Toones is a prime example of racial and social stereotyping in the Hollywood film industry. His standard characterization was that of a middle-aged "colored" man with a high-pitched voice and childlike mannerisms. "Snowflake" was the stage name Toones was best known by, and he used this name as his credit as early as his third film, 1931's Shanghaied Love. Likewise, in Shanghaied Love and over 35 other films, "Snowflake" was also Toones' character name. He acted in films such as Mississippi (1935), Hawk of the Wilderness (1938), and Daredevils of the Red Circle (1939) with Bruce Bennett and in many "B" westerns such as The Lawless Nineties (1936) with John Wayne. He also appeared in dozens of two-reelers such as Columbia's Woman Haters (1934) with the Three Stooges, and had a bit role in Laurel and Hardy's classic feature Way Out West (1937). Toones is also a familiar face in four Preston Sturges comedies: Twentieth Century (1934), Remember the Night (1940), Christmas in July (1940), and The Palm Beach Story (1942). He died on 13 February 1962 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Gold Diggers of 1933
as Black Man in "Pettin' in the Park" Number (uncredited)
Age 27 (now 56)
Twentieth Century
as George Washington Jones (uncredited)
Age 28 (now 56)
Where There's Life
as Department Store Mover (uncredited)
Age 41 (now 56)
The Lost Weekend
as Washroom Attendant at Harry & Joe's (uncredited)
Age 39 (now 56)
The Mystery of the 13th Guest
as Joe the Valet (uncredited)
Age 37 (now 56)
Obliging Young Lady
as George - Train Porter (uncredited)
Age 36 (now 56)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
as Porter (uncredited)
Age 33 (now 56)
Riders of the Black Hills
as Snowflake (as Snowflake)
Age 32 (now 56)
Love, Honor and Obey (the Law!)
as Phone operator (uncredited)
Age 29 (now 56)
Twentieth Century
as George Washington Jones (uncredited)
Age 28 (now 56)
Gold Diggers of 1933
as Black Man in "Pettin' in the Park" Number (uncredited)
Age 27 (now 56)
The Mind Reader
as Black Man - Shill at Hair Tonic (uncredited)
Age 27 (now 56)
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
as Marine on Ship (uncredited)
Age 26 (now 56)
The Cabin in the Cotton
as Ezzy Daniels (uncredited)
Age 26 (now 56)
Who's Who in the Zoo
as Park Worker with Harmonica (uncredited)
Age 25 (now 56)
Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath
as Barbershop Attendant (uncredited)
Age 22 (now 56)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
'Snowflake', Snowflake, Snow Flake, Fred S. Toones, Fred Toones, 'Snowflake' Toones, Snowflake Toones
IMDB
nm0867560