Victor Kilian

Enjoyed a prolific career on Broadway, active from 1926-62 and appearing in 26 productions.

American character actor of gruff demeanor who played in dozens of films through the Thirties and Forties. A native of New Jersey, he was a wagon driver for his father's laundry business before joining a vaudeville company. He played in stock and touring companies, then was cast in the Walter Huston production of 'Desire Under the Elms' on Broadway. While working on the New York stage, he made a few appearances in films shot on Long Island. In 1935 he came to Hollywood and appeared with great frequency in supporting roles over the next decade and a half.

While shooting the John Wayne film Reap the Wild Wind (1942), Kilian lost the use of his eye after an accident during a fighting scene.

In the early 1950s, he was blacklisted for his political beliefs during the Communist witch-hunts, and returned to the stage almost exclusively thereafter.

Although he was the star of the low budget science fiction adventure "Unknown World" (1951), because he was blacklisted (as a victim of the Communist witch hunts) his name did not appear in the credits of the released version.

Was killed a few days after Charles Wagenheim under similar circumstances (beaten to death by burglars in his apartment). The very last appearance of both actors was on the episode of All in the Family: The Return of Stephanie's Father (1979), which aired a few days before their deaths.