Samuel S. Hinds

Samuel S. Hinds
from the trailer for Grand Central Murder (1942)
Born	Samuel Southey Hinds (1875-04-04)April 4, 1875 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	October 13, 1948(1948-10-13) (aged 73) Pasadena, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Pneumonia
Resting place	Inglewood Park Cemetery
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1926–48
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Cruickshank (2 children)

Samuel Southey Hinds (April 4, 1875 – October 13, 1948) was an American actor and former lawyer. He was often cast as kindly authoritarian figures and appeared in over 200 films until his death.

Samuel S. Hinds is perhaps best remembered for playing Peter Bailey, the father of James Stewart and founder of the Bailey Building and Loan, in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and for his part as Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You (1938), both films directed by Frank Capra. Hinds was also known for his roles in the Abbott & Costello films such as Buck Privates (1941), Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) and Pardon My Sarong (1942). He also portrayed Lew Ayres' 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 was born in Brooklyn, New York as the great-grandson of poet Robert Southey. He was a Harvard Law School graduate and worked for over 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 started acting in Broadway shows at age 54. In 1932, Hinds acted a bit part in his first film If I Had a Million (1932), his second film was The Road Is Open Again (1933) where he portrayed President Woodrow Wilson. His earlier career was reflected in the role of Judge Thatcher, tortured by the mad Dr. Richard Vollin (Bela Lugosi) in The Raven (1935).