Kenne Duncan (February 17, 1903 - February 5, 1972) was a well-known B-movie character actor. Hyped professionally as "The Meanest Man in the Movies," the vast majority of his over 250 appearances on camera were Westerns, but he also did occasional forays into horror, crime drama, and science fiction.
Duncan is best known, in some circles, for his work with Edward D. Wood, Jr.. Duncan appeared in five Wood productions: Night of the Ghouls, Trick Shooting with Kenne Duncan, Crossroad Avenger, The Sinister Urge, and The Lawless Rider, a film Wood did with Yakima Canutt in the Director's chair.
Duncan had problems with substance abuse later in life. His final appearances on screen were Wood's low-budget The Sinister Urge, and a bit part in an episode of Rawhide ("Incident of the Sharpshooter"). Duncan then vanished from the Hollywood scene in 1961.
In 1972 he committed suicide by deliberate overdose of barbiturates.
Alcoholism and ill health (he was on prescribed medication for a stroke suffered the year before) led to his suicide from an overdose of barbiturates.
Played hundreds of henchman and other heavies in scores of Republic Pictures westerns and serials.
Before entering films in the late 1920s, he had been a professional jockey.
His name is pronounced "Kenny.".
Duncan made his longtime friend and drinking buddy, Z-grade writer/director Edward D. Wood Jr. the executor of his estate. After his funeral, his wake was held at Wood's swimming pool, which each of the guests reminiscing about Duncan standing on the diving board.
