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Ralph Byrd

Ralph Byrd

Actor · Died August 18, 1952, aged 43 · Dayton, Ohio, USA

Handsome, hairy-chested Ralph Byrd had an 18 year career in Hollywood both as a leading man and as a character actor, though he is best remembered for his role as Chester Gould's comic strip detective, Dick Tracy, in several movie serials and on television (first for ABC and then in a syndicated series). During his film career he was a contract player for RKO and 20th- Fox. A serious auto accident slowed down his film career in the late 1940s, but he returned to the role of Tracy and worked steadily until his untimely death of a heart attack. His survivors were his widow, the actress Virginia Carroll, and his daughter, Carol, 13 at the time of his death.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
April 22, 1909
Died
August 18, 1952 (aged 43)
From
Dayton, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 19% in 30 days

What are Ralph Byrd's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
43%
Bonds
21%
Survival
15%
Power
10%
Society
7%
Self
4%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 5 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 12 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 9 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Trickster
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Thrilling
12
Romantic
4
Melancholic
3
Warm
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ralph Byrd's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ralph Byrd's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page.

  • Lightning Strikes Twice(1951)

    as Jack Ross

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Redhead and the Cowboy(1951)

    as Capt. Andrews

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Union Station(1950)

    as Priest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dick Tracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 39 episodes · as Dick Tracy

  • Radar Secret Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Static

  • Thunder in the Pines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as 'Boomer' Benson

  • Jungle Goddess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Bob Simpson

  • Canon City(1948)

    as Officer Gray

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Stage Struck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Police Sgt. Tom Ramey

  • The Argyle Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Lt. Samuel Sampson

  • Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome(1947)

    as Dick Tracy

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Vigilante: Fighting Hero of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Greg Sanders / The Vigilante

  • Dick Tracy's Dilemma(1947)

    as Dick Tracy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Stallion Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Richmond Mallard

  • Four Jills in a Jeep(1944)

    as Sergeant in Mess Hall (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Guadalcanal Diary(1943)

    as Ned Rowman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • They Came to Blow Up America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Burkhardt

  • December 7th(1943)

    as Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Margin for Error (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Pete - Dice-Playing Soldier

  • Three Cadets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Medical Officer

  • Reconnaissance Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Colonel

  • Time to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Lou Venter, bodyguard

  • Manila Calling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Corbett

  • Careful, Soft Shoulders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Elliott Salmon

  • Ten Gentlemen from West Point(1942)

    as Maloney

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Moontide(1942)

    as Reverend Wilson

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Jungle Book(1942)

    as Durga

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Broadway Big Shot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Jimmy O'Brien

  • Duke of the Navy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Breezy Duke

  • Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc.(1941)

    as Dick Tracy

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • A Yank in the RAF(1941)

    as Al Bennett

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Desperate Cargo(1941)

    as Tony Bronson

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Power Dive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Jackson - Draftsman

  • Wings of Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • The Penalty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Brock

  • Play Girl(1941)

    as Miami Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Misbehaving Husbands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Bob Grant

  • The Son of Monte Cristo(1940)

    as William Gluck

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Dark Streets of Cairo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Dennis Martin

  • The Mark of Zorro(1940)

    as Student / Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • North West Mounted Police(1940)

    as Constable Ackroyd

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Drums of the Desert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Paul Dumont

  • The Howards of Virginia(1940)

    as James Howard

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Buyer Beware (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Officer Halligan (uncredited)

  • The Golden Fleecing(1940)

    as Larry Kelly

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Dick Tracy's G-Men(1939)

    as Dick Tracy

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Mickey the Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Dr. Ben Cameron

  • S.O.S. Tidal Wave(1939)

    as Jeff Shannon

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Fighting Thoroughbreds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Ben Marshall

  • Down in 'Arkansaw' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as John Parker

  • Dick Tracy Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Dick Tracy

  • Army Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Marvin

  • Born to Be Wild(1938)

    as Steve Hackett

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Paid to Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Nickels Brown

  • The Firefly(1937)

    as French Lieutenant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Trigger Trio(1937)

    as Larry Smith

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • SOS Coast Guard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Lt. Terry Kent

  • They Gave Him a Gun(1937)

    as Wounded Soldier (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Criminals of the Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Williamson

  • Motor Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as C.P.O. Mike Burns

  • Dick Tracy(1937)

    as Dick Tracy

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Sea Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Court-Martial Seaman (uncredited)

  • Blake of Scotland Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Jerry Sheehan

  • Blake of Scotland Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Dr. Jerry Sheehan

  • Find the Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Tex

  • We Who Are About to Die(1936)

    as Police Lab Technician (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • A Tenderfoot Goes West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Prankster Cowhand

  • Alibi for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Cop (Uncredited)

  • Killer Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Father (uncredited)

  • Border Caballero(1936)

    as Tex Weaver

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Hell-Ship Morgan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Dale

  • The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Forest Ranger Jerry Morton

  • Chinatown Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Desk Sergeant

  • Red-Headed Woman(1932)

    as Driver, at Film's End, with Mustache (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1932 to 1951.

Biggest box office

The Jungle Book (1942)

$3.9M worldwide

Highest rated

Moontide (1942)

Midcredits 73rd

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54th

By decade

1930s29 · acting1940s40 · acting1950s5 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 10% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Ralph Byrd's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 31 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Dick Tracy's G-Men (1939)

72nd percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Mark of Zorro (1940)

Midcredits 92nd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Ralph Byrd work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ralph Byrd's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Paul Sawtell shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers