Robert Elliott

Robert Elliott (October 9, 1879 – November 15, 1951) was an American character actor who appeared in 102 films and television shows from 1916 to 1951. Born Richard Robert Elliott in 1879 in Columbus, Ohio, he was active during the silent film era in leading roles, but in the sound era primarily performed in supporting roles and bit parts. On stage, he originated the role of Sergeant O'Hara opposite Jeanne Eagels in the 1922 production of Somerset Maugham's *Rain*.

Elliott began his film career in 1916 and appeared in *Lights of New York* (1928), the first all-talking feature film, in the role of Detective Crosby. One of his most memorable film appearances was as a Yankee officer playing cards with Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable) in *Gone With the Wind*, delivering the line, "It's hard to be strict with a man who loses money so pleasantly."

Elliott was married to Ruth Thorp (1889–1971) from 1920 until his death in 1951 at the age of 72 in Los Angeles, California.