Samuel Southey Hinds (April 4, 1875 – October 13, 1948) was an American actor and former lawyer. He was often cast as kindly authority figures and appeared in more than 200 films in a career lasting 22 years. Hinds is perhaps best remembered for playing Peter Bailey, the kindly father of James Stewart and founder of the Bailey Building and Loan, in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and for his portrayal of Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It with You (1938), both films directed by Frank Capra.
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Early life and education
Hinds was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joseph E. Hinds and Mary A. Beetham Hinds. He was a great-grandson of poet Robert Southey. His father was the president of the United States Playing Card Company,
He was a graduate of Phillips Andover Academy, Harvard Law School, and New York University Law School and worked for more than 32 years as a lawyer before becoming a professional actor. After he lost most of his money in the financial crisis of 1929, Hinds retired as a lawyer and joined the Pasadena Community Playhouse. He started acting in Broadway shows at age 54.
Career
Besides his work in Frank Capra's films, Hinds was also known for dozens of films produced by Universal Pictures, including four Abbott and Costello comedies, four Gloria Jean musicals, and five Little Tough Guys adventures. He also portrayed Lew Ayres's father in the Dr. Kildare film series during the early 1940s. Hinds mostly played supporting roles, often kind and dignified authority figures; often lawyers, doctors, mayors, judges. or the father of the main figure.
Hinds' first film was The Amateur Gentleman (1926); his second film was If I Had A Million (1932). His earlier career was reflected in the role of Judge Thatcher, tortured by the mad Dr. Richard Vollin (Bela Lugosi) in The Raven (1935).
Hinds acted in a total of about 220 films. His last film was The Bribe, released in 1949, after his death.
Death
Hinds died of pneumonia in Pasadena, California, on October 13, 1948, at age 73. He was married to Dorothy Cruikshank. They had two children and were divorced.
