Samuel S. Hinds Biography

Fast Facts

• Graduated from Harvard University in 1898 and earned his law degree from New York University Law School
• His father, Joseph Hinds, a lithographer who was the president of the U․S․ Playing Card Co․, was a lifelong friend of Mark Twain and Thomas Edison
• Worked as an attorney in New York before moving to California in 1908, where he opened his own practice and performed in community theater productions at night
• Made his screen acting debut in the film "The Amateur Gentleman" in 1926
• Quote: "[on appearing in films after the Great Depression] "I thought it was a good time to change my profession․ I decided I would become a movie actor․ I had nothing to lose, for I had lost everything․""
• Appeared in several stage productions at the Pasadena Playhouse, including "The Passing of the Third Floor Back" and "The Admirable Crichton․"
• Best known for his roles as Pa Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" and as Paul Sycamore in "You Can't Take It with You․"
• Founded the professional acting company 18 Actors Inc․ in 1940 with several other actors, including Victory Jory, Dana Andrews and Charles Lane