Moroni Olsen

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Moroni Olsen June 27 1889 November 22 1954 was an American actor Olsen was born in Ogden Utah to Mormon parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst who named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon Some sources have claimed that Olsens birth name was John Willard Clawson but there appears to be no support for this claim Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy the predecessor of Weber State University He then went to study at the University of Utah where one of his teachers was Maud May Babcock During World War I he sold war bonds for the United States Navy He also studied and performed in the Eastern United States around this time In 1923 Olsen organized the Moroni Olsen Players out of Ogden They performed at both Ogdens Orpheum Theatre and at various other locations spread from Salt Lake City to Seattle After having worked on Broadway he made his film debut in a 1935 adaptation of The Three Musketeers He later played a different role in a 1939 comedy version of the story starring Don Ameche as DArtagnan and the Ritz Brothers as three dimwitted lackeys who are forced to substitute for the musketeers who have drunk themselves into a stupor His most famous role was the voice of the Slave in The Magic Mirror in Walt Disneys Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 1937 Olsen also provided the voice of the senior angel in Its a Wonderful Life Olsen was an active member of the LDS Church being a teacher of youth in the Hoolwood Ward He also was director of the Pilgramage Play of Hollywood for several years