Background
Born in Danby, New York, York was born Charles Everest Sinsabaugh.
Born in Danby, New York, York was born Charles Everest Sinsabaugh.
He appeared in nearly 160 films between 1932 and 1952. Modern viewers will remember York for his portrayals of grotesque monsters, ape men, or other scary goon-like characters in Three Stooges short films such as Three Little Twirps, Idle Roomers, Shivering Sherlocks, and Who Done lieutenant?. His most prominent non-monster role was as Kelly in Higher Than a Kite.
York also played the role of King Kala in the serial Flash Gordon.
On January 24th, 1952, during a lengthy phone call to Moench, several times during which he threatened suicide, he finally picked up a handgun he had nearby, and shot himself in the head while still on the phone.