Otis Harlan (December 29, 1865 – January 21, 1940) was an American comedic actor.

Biography

Harlan was born in Zanesville, Ohio in 1865. He married Nellie Harvey and had a daughter named Marion. Harlan was the uncle of the silent film era leading man, Kenneth Harlan.


Career
In 1906, he appeared in Victor Herbert's The Magic Knight. He was playing in vaudeville shows by 1911, appearing in Irving Berlin's ragtime musicals. Harlan also played the role of Cap'n Andy in the first, part-talkie film version of "Show Boat" (1929). He was also seen as the Master of Ceremonies in the sound prologue that accompanied the film. In 1935, Harlan played the role of Starveling in Max Reinhardt's 1935 film version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1937, Harlan provided the voice of "Happy" the dwarf, in the Disney animated classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a resounding hit which became a film classic. In the same year he also appeared in the Our Gang short Roamin' Holiday. He also voiced Mr. Mole in Bambi.


Death
He died in Martinsville, Indiana of a stroke on January 21, 1940 at the age of 74. His interment is located in the Greenlawn Cemetery section of New South Park Cemetery in Martinsville, Indiana.

Best films