As we approach the 130th anniversary of his birth, we celebrate the hugely successful acting career of Andy Clyde.

Andrew Allan Clyde was born on the 25 March 1892 in the cottage opposite Rattray Church, owned by his Grandfather, David Clyde.  Andy was the fifth of the six children of actor, producer and manager John Clyde and Mary Allan.

Although trained as a draper, John Clyde went to Glasgow to seek his fortune on the stage.  In time he became well known and was able to form and manage his own theatrical group.  Having played the lead in a play about Rob Roy, he went on, in 1911, to direct the film 'Rob Roy' one of the first films to be made in Scotland.

Due to their father's work in the entertainment industry, Andy and his siblings David and Jean played parts in stage productions from an early age.

Andy first went to America in 1912 on tour in a company performing a play called 'The Concealed Bed'.  He returned to America in the early 1920s to join producer Mark Sennett's roster of comedians.  After parting company with Sennett in 1932, he worked briefly at Educational Studios, before signing on with Columbia's short subject unit, where he remained for 22 years.

His portrayal, in the 1940s, of California Carlson in more than 30 films in the Hopalong Cassidy western movie series, was possibly the highlight of his 45 year acting career.  He was cast in seven television series such as 'The Hardy Boys', 'The Real McCoys', 'Lassie' and 'No time for Sergeants', had parts in 294 films and made 37 guest appearances on television.

Many people in Blairgowrie and Rattray will remember enjoying seeing Andy Clyde in films shown in Quinn's Picture House in Reform Street and in the Regal Cinema just over the bridge in Ratttray.

In 1960 Andy Clyde was awarded a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame for his contribution to the film industry.

In 1996 the Scottish Film Council placed a plaque in Blairgowrie's Wellmeadow to commemorate our famous son.

Andy Clyde continued to perform on television until his death on 18 May 1967 aged 75 in Los Angeles, California.  His grave is in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County.