From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Robert Elliott October 9 1879 November 15 1951 was an American character actor who appeared in 102 films and TV shows from 1916 to 1951 He was born Richard Robert Elliott in 1879 in Columbus Ohio Most of his main roles were in the silent era In the sound era he mostly performed in supporting roles and bit parts On the stage he originated the Sergeant OHara character opposite Jeanne Eagels in Somerset Maughams play Rain 1922 Active in films from 1916 Elliott played Detective Crosby in the 1928 feature Lights of New York the first alltalking sound film One of his most notable roles was that of a Yankee officer playing cards with Rhett Butler Clark Gable in the film Gone With the Wind the officer says of Rhett Its hard to be strict with a man who loses money so pleasantly Robert Elliott was married to Ruth Thorp 18891971 from 1920 until his death in 1951 aged 72 in Los Angeles California