Duke Moore (1913–1976) — actor in Ed Wood films

Career and filmography

Moore's on-screen appearances are closely tied to Ed Wood's output. He worked repeatedly with Wood in films that were often made quickly, with limited resources, and that later found devoted audiences among collectors and fans of cult cinema. Representative titles in which Moore appears include:

• Crossroads of Laredo
• Final Curtain
• Night of the Ghouls
• Plan 9 from Outer Space
• The Sinister Urge
• Take It Out in Trade

Several of these films went through complicated production or distribution histories: some circulated only in incomplete forms for years, and a few reached wider attention long after they were made. Because Moore's screen credits are almost exclusively in Wood-related projects, his filmography is usually presented as part of studies of that director's career rather than as a separate mainstream résumé.

Roles and screen presence

Moore generally played supporting or character parts. Contemporary commentary on his performances notes a plainspoken, straightforward screen presence that suited the modest scale and improvisatory atmosphere of many of the productions he joined. He did not attain star status, but his repeated casting suggests that Wood and other collaborators valued his reliability as a performer.

Context and legacy

Ed Wood's films developed a distinctive reputation: initially dismissed by many critics for visible technical shortcomings and eccentric storytelling, they were later embraced by audiences who appreciate offbeat, low-budget filmmaking. Films like Plan 9 from Outer Space have been widely discussed in histories of cult and independent cinema, and Moore's contributions are preserved within that context. Interest in Wood's circle of regular cast and crew has ensured that Moore's name continues to appear in filmographies, retrospectives, and reference works focused on mid-20th-century American independent film.

Notable facts and further reading

• Birth name: James Moore; professional name: Duke Moore.
• Known credits are limited to films associated with Ed Wood made between the 1950s and 1970.
• Death: November 16, 1976, in Hollywood, from a heart attack.

For more detailed production notes and credits on specific titles, consult filmographies and archival listings devoted to Ed Wood's work and independent American cinema of the period. A number of reference entries and retrospective articles discuss titles such as Plan 9 from Outer Space and Night of the Ghouls, and archival catalogs may list additional production details and surviving materials here. General overviews of Wood's career and the cult reception of his films can also provide context for understanding Moore's place within that repertory and related resources.