Ward Bond
Known for
Born in Benkelman, Nebraska in 1903, Ward Bond was an American character actor whose broad frame and gravelly warmth made him a fixture of classical Hollywood, especially the films of John Ford. He appeared in more than 200 features across four decades, including memorable roles in It Happened One Night (1934), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), My Darling Clementine (1946) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as the cop Bert. He is unforgettable as the affectionate reverend Samuel Clayton in The Searchers (1956) and led the long-running television Western Wagon Train (1957) as wagon master Major Seth Adams until his death in 1960. Bond remains a defining supporting player of American frontier cinema.
Ward Bond
258 Movies
8 Series
Born in Benkelman, Nebraska in 1903, Ward Bond was an American character actor whose broad frame and gravelly warmth made him a fixture of classical Hollywood, especially the films of John Ford. He appeared in more than 200 features across four decades, including memorable roles in It Happened One Night (1934), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), My Darling Clementine (1946) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as the cop Bert. He is unforgettable as the affectionate reverend Samuel Clayton in The Searchers (1956) and led the long-running television Western Wagon Train (1957) as wagon master Major Seth Adams until his death in 1960. Bond remains a defining supporting player of American frontier cinema.
Movies
Plays Bert
It's a Wonderful Life
1946
Plays Tom the Yankee Captain
Gone with the Wind
1939
Plays Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnston Clayton
The Searchers
1956
Plays Pat Wheeler
Rio Bravo
1959
Plays Detective Tom Polhaus
The Maltese Falcon
1941
Plays Father Peter Lonergan
The Quiet Man
1952
Plays Sgt. Maj. Michael O'Rourke
Fort Apache
1948
Plays Perley 'Buck' Sweet
3 Godfathers
1948
Plays Policeman
The Grapes of Wrath
1940
Plays John Fraser
Unconquered
1947
Plays Ike Botkin
Sergeant York
1941
Plays Morgan Earp
My Darling Clementine
1946
Plays La Hire
Joan of Arc
1948
Plays Buffalo Baker
Hondo
1953
Plays Connors - Death-Row Inmate
The Westland Case
1937
Plays John McIvers
Johnny Guitar
1954
Plays Elder Wiggs
Wagon Master
1950
Plays Hoab Dabney
Tap Roots
1948
Plays Bud Taylor
Dodge City
1939
Plays "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
They Were Expendable
1945
Plays Dowdy
Mister Roberts
1955
Plays John Palmer Cass
Young Mr. Lincoln
1939
Plays Honey Bragg
Canyon Passage
1946
Plays John Dodge
The Wings of Eagles
1957
Plays Townley
Santa Fe Trail
1940
Plays Captain Herman Kohler
The Long Gray Line
1955
Plays Doorman
Dead End
1937
Plays Adam Hartman
Drums Along the Mohawk
1939
Plays John "Pop" Perry
Operation Pacific
1951
Plays Wash Gibbs
The Shepherd of the Hills
1941
Plays Yank
The Long Voyage Home
1940
Plays Inspector Charles Weber
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
1950
Plays Tug
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse
1938
Plays Jim Bender
Dakota
1945
Plays Franz
The Mortal Storm
1940
Plays Sheriff Gil Corrigan
A Man Alone
1955
Plays Cpl. Timothy Gilchrist
Only the Valiant
1951
Plays Wes Handley
The Oklahoma Kid
1939
Plays John L. Sullivan
Gentleman Jim
1942
Plays Walter Brent
On Dangerous Ground
1951
Plays Cop in Raid
Careless Lady
1932
Plays Sgt. Scully
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
1942
Plays Eddie Adams
Manpower
1941
Plays Dutch Peterson
Blowing Wild
1953
Plays Lov Bensey
Tobacco Road
1941
Plays Policeman
They Met in a Taxi
1936
Plays James Calvert, aka 'El Gringo'
The Fugitive
1947
Plays Al Yackey
A Guy Named Joe
1944
Plays Clarence - a Policeman
Going Places
1938
Plays Lt. John McCreery
Thunderbirds
1952
TV Shows
Plays Major Seth Adams
Wagon Train
1957
Plays Sheriff Ab Kale
Climax!
1954
Plays M / Sgt. Lou Diamond
Cavalcade of America
1952
Plays Capt. Parker
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Plays Bill Meeker
Suspense
1949
Plays Lt. Pannetti
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
Plays Patterson
Star Stage
1955
Plays Larry 'Buck' Goodhue
Screen Director's Playhouse
1955
Latest Trailers
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Alias Jesse James
Full Filmography
Alias Jesse James
Major Seth Adams (uncredited)
1959
Film
Rio Bravo
Pat Wheeler
1959
Film
China Doll
Father Cairns
1958
Film
Wagon Train
Major Seth Adams · 152 episodes
1957–
TV
The Wings of Eagles
John Dodge
1957
Film
The Halliday Brand
Big Dan Halliday
1957
Film
The Growler Story
Quincannon
1957
Film
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Capt. Parker · 1 episode
1955–1956
TV
Star Stage
Patterson · 1 episode
1955–1956
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ward Bond still alive?
Ward Bond passed away on November 5, 1960 at age 57.
What are the most famous roles of Ward Bond?
Ward Bond is best known for roles in It's a Wonderful Life, Gone with the Wind, The Maltese Falcon.
How many movies has Ward Bond been in?
Over a 32-year career (since 1928), Ward Bond has appeared in 258 movies and 8 TV shows.
What was Ward Bond's first movie?
The career of Ward Bond began with Noah's Ark (1928).
What is Ward Bond's most recent movie or series?
Ward Bond's most recent release is The Colter Craven Story, which premiered on November 23, 1960.
What TV shows has Ward Bond appeared in?
On television, Ward Bond has appeared in Wagon Train, Climax!, Suspense, General Electric Theater.
Ward Bond
1903-04-09 · Benkelman, Nebraska, USA
Wardell Edwin Bond (April 9, 1903 – November 5, 1960) was an American film character actor whose rugged appearance and easygoing charm were featured in more than 200 films, as well as in the NBC television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1961. Among his best-remembered roles are Bert the cop in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Captain Clayton in John Ford's The Searchers (1956).