Biography
Character: Boxcar
Birthday: September 14, 1931
Place of Birth: San Diego, California
Date of Death: February 8, 2011
Place of Death: Henderson, Nevada
First Short: The Pigskin Palooka
Last Short: Dancing Romeo
Number of Shorts: 10
History: Not much is known about Vincent Graeff. Maltin and Bann erroneously referred to him as Billy Ray "Boxcar" Smith in their book. Born Vincent Bernard Graeff, he was born in San Ysidro near San Diego, California and became a child actor, possibly to help out his family. As a child actor, he got his start in the Our Gang series and went on to playing parts in the movies, "Fighting Father Dunn," "Boys Ranch" and "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" before going on to several uncredited roles, appearing in about twenty-five movies after until 1951. After leaving acting, he graduated high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, receiving a Purple Heart while serving in the Fourth Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. After a career as a sheet metal worker, he retired to Redding, California later moving to Henderson, Nevada. He enjoyed being with his family, often filling his time with golfing, boating or fixing things around the house. He truly will be missed. He passed away in 2011 in Henderson, Nevada, leaving behind an obituary. He is survived by his wife Pat, five children, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
List of Shorts
- The Pigskin Palooka
- Baby Blues
- Fightin' Fools
- Robot Wrecks
- Helping Hands
- Going To Press
- Doin' Their Bit
- Benjamin Franklin, Jr.
- Election Daze
- Dancing Romeo
Other Projects
- Mokey (1942) - with Robert Blake, Shirley Coates, Cordell Hickman, William Thomas Jr., and Frank Ward
- Buffalo Bill (1944) - with Billy Bletcher, Freddie Chapman, and Cordell Hickman
- More coming up