Career
Possessing a weak chin and shifty eyes, Hall played movie villains or comedic incompetent characters. Born Clifford Porter Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio, he began his career touring as a stage actor with roles in productions of The Great Gatsby and Naked in 1926. Hall made his film debut in the 1931 drama Secrets of a Secretary.
He made his last onscreen appearance in the 1954 film Return to Treasure Island, which was released after his death.
On October 6, 1953, Hall died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California at the age of 65. His interment was at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery.
Hall had two children, David and Sarah Jane. Director Russian Meyer named one of the characters in the 1970 cult film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls after Hall.
