Shortly after graduating high school, Ed Gale — who stood 3’4” tall — left Michigan with $40 in his pocket and went to Hollywood. Gale said his goal was never to become a leading man, but to make a living as a working actor… and that he did, appearing in more than 200 television shows, commercials, and films. Upon arriving in Hollywood the first role he was offered was none other than Howard the Duck — a role he was originally told he was “too tall for.” Gale continued to work up until his passing in May of 2025.

On this episode I’m recommending four films that Gale appeared in. In many of his acting roles (including most of these) Gale appeared wearing masks and costumes, but as Rollo from Under the Rainbow once said, “no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.”

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

Two years after the original hit theaters, Chucky returned to once again torment Andy Barclay. While the original Child’s Play was straight horror, this is the film in which Chucky began to develop the personality we know and love today. Keep an eye out for scenes in which Chucky runs around; that’s Ed Gale in costume.

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

Bill and Ted have a problem: despite being told they will eventually become the biggest band in the universe, they still don’t know how to play their instruments and their girlfriends are fed up with them. Oh, and evil robots from the future have come back to murder them, so there’s that. Featuring a stellar soundtrack and lots of jokes, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey did not perform as well as the original in theaters, but has become a cult classic since. Keep an eye out for Station in the film — that’s Ed Gale!

Spaceballs (1987)

In this Mel Brooks masterpiece, Princess Vespa has been kidnapped by Dark Helmet and his cohorts and must be rescued by Lone Star and his faithful companion, Barf. If it all sounds a bit silly it is. Featuring an all-star cast and more Mel Brooks humor than you can swing a lightsaber at. Keep an eye out for Ed Gale as one of the Dinks, and may the Schwartz be with ya!

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

In this Coen Brothers film, three members of a chain gang escape when one of them tells the other two he’s chained to that he knows where more than a million dollars worth of treasure is buried. Loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey, this is another film with a star-studded cast and an award winning soundtrack. Ed Gale makes an appearance as “the Little Man” during an election and in this appearance, you can actually see his face! (After seeing it, you may recognize him from Bones, My Name is Earl, and many other roles.)

Whether he appeared in a speaking role or in a costume, Gale gave every one of his roles 100% and swore people could see him smiling through the masks he wore. After watching these four films, you just might agree with him.

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