Burly supporting actor, often in gruff roles or as a heavy. A favorite of Hal Roach, who used him as a foil in Charley Chase ('Be Your Age',1926) and early Laurel & Hardy comedies ('Do Detectives Think',1927). He was frequently seen in westerns as gold miners or second-string henchmen. After the coming of sound, Brownlee was increasingly relegated to playing background characters, usually military or police officers, guards or farmers.