John Leroy "Roy" Atwell (May 2, 1878 – February 6, 1962) was an American actor, comedian and composer, known for playing characters that mis-deliver their lines or stammer, most notably Doc from Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Early life

Roy Atwell, son of Joseph Addison Atwell, was born in 1878. He was educated at the Sargent School of Acting. Atwell was a direct descendant of Joseph Atwell (1754–1834), a Revolutionary War soldier who in 1792 purchased land in the military tract in New York and built a house ("Atwell's Corners") in what is today Pompey Hollow, south of Syracuse, near Cazenovia.

Career

Acting

Atwell appeared in 34 films between 1914 and 1947. As well as his film work, he appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Little Missus, The Mimic World, Oh, My Dear!, The Firefly, Apple Blossoms, and How's Your Health? He was a member of the Fortune Gallo's San Carlo Opera Company. When Atwell began working on Broadway, he had a role, as a serious actor, in which he was to deliver the following line: "It is spring and all the little birds are twittering in the tree tops." Being new and somewhat on edge, what Atwell actually did say was: "Tis ting and the twits are birdering in the tree flops." Atwell fully expected to be dismissed, but the misdelivered line drew a big laugh from the audience and, after the show was over, he was congratulated and asked to repeat it the next night. His unwitting comedic success caused Atwell to make the change from being a dramatic actor to becoming a comedian.

Composition

Atwell joined ASCAP in 1957. He composed the popular song Some Little Bug is Going to Find You and wrote the words to a song called "When a Piece of Toast Climbs Your Bedpost with a Cigar."

Personal life

He was married three times, to Blanche West (1907-?), Dorothy Young (1913–1916), and Ethel Smith (1916–1936).

Filmography