Duke York

Duke York (né Charles Everest Sinsabaugh; October 17, 1908 – January 24, 1952), was an American film actor and stuntman who appeared in nearly 160 films between 1932 and 1952. He was also known as Duke Owl.[2]

Duke York
Duke York, mid-1940s
Born
Charles Everest Sinsabaugh

(1908-10-17)October 17, 1908
Danby, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 24, 1952(1952-01-24) (aged 43)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Other namesDuke Owl
Years active1932–1952
Spouse
Frances Miles
​
​
(m. 1930; div. 1941)​
[1]
PartnerCatherine Moench[1]

Early years

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Sinsabaugh,[3] York was born in Danby, New York.

Career

Modern viewers will remember York for his portrayals of grotesque monsters, ape men, or other scary goon-like characters in Three Stooges short films such as Three Little Twirps, Idle Roomers, Three Pests in a Mess, Shivering Sherlocks, and Who Done It? His most prominent non-monster role was as Kelly in Higher Than a Kite. York also played the role of King Kala in the serial Flash Gordon.[1]

In the 1930s, York worked as a combination lifeguard and bodyguard for actress Ida Lupino.[4]

Personal life and death

In the 1930s, York married movie stuntwoman Frances Miles, but the union ended in divorce in 1941. Several years later, York was dating Beverly Hills brunette Catherine Moench. They planned to marry, but she called it off, saying that he was "quite jealous and had misunderstood various actions" of hers in the past.[1] York eventually admitted to Moench that he was wrong, and wanted to get back together, but she refused.[1]

On January 24, 1952, during a three-hour phone call to Moench, York threatened suicide several times stating he could not live without her. He then shot himself in the head while on the phone with Moench. His body was discovered by friend and fellow actor George Cleveland.[5]

Selected filmography
York plays a docile wolfman who goes berserk whenever he hears music in The Three Stooges film Idle Roomers (1944).

References
  1. Cappello, Bill (Fall 1992). "Duke York: A Brief Biography". The Three Stooges Journal. Gynedd Valley, Pennsylvania: The Three Stooges Fan Club, Inc. (63): 6–7, 14. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  2. "Couple to Wed Sunday Before Prologue Cast". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. March 31, 1932. p. 27. Retrieved January 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Five generations under one roof". Star-Gazette. New York, Elmira. October 23, 1908. p. 5. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Lupino's Lifeguard in Bouncer's Role". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. March 27, 1934. p. 18. Retrieved July 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "Brunette Describes Duke York Suicide". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. January 26, 1952. p. 3. Retrieved July 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. open access
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