Erford Gage

Erford Holmes Gage (April 5, 1912 – March 17, 1945) was an American stage and film actor whose career spanned Broadway productions and Hollywood pictures before his death in military service during World War II.

Gage appeared on Broadway between 1938 and 1941, accumulating credits across several productions. His stage work included Macbeth, They Walk Alone, Diff'rent, Page Pygmalion, and Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines, among others.

Following his years as a stage performer, Gage transitioned to film work, becoming active at RKO Pictures from 1942 to 1944. His screen roles frequently cast him as morally compromised or villainous figures. Among the most prominent of these was Dr. Schmidt, a sadistic Nazi character in Hitler's Children. He also appeared in a contrasting register as Sgt. Burke, a no-nonsense military figure, in two low-budget comedies built around the comedy team of Brown and Carney.

Gage enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, attaining the rank of staff sergeant in the 20th Infantry Regiment. He was killed in action on March 17, 1945, during the Battle of Luzon. For his service, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. He is interred at Manila American Cemetery. Obituaries published at the time of his death identified his widow as actress Nell King.