See also Biography Index (H) :: Filmography Index (H) :: Discography Index (H)

Born in Virginia City, Nevada, Cavanaugh made his film debut in San Francisco Nights (1928). Over the next few years he established himself as a supporting actor, and although many of his roles were small and received no film credit, he played more substantial roles in films such as I Cover the Waterfront (1933) and Mary Stevens, M.D. (1933). By the mid-1930s he was appearing in more prestigious films such as A Midsummer Night`s Dream (1935), Captain Blood (1935) and Wife vs. Secretary (1936). He continued playing small, often comical roles until the end of his life. One of his last appearances was in A Letter to Three Wives (1949). By the end of his life he had appeared in more than 180 films.

He died in Woodland Hills, California.