An American actor, he was born in Cherokee County, Iowa, on December 29, 1887. Watkin was married twice and did not have children. He formed his own theatrical troupe, after which he appeared in Broadway plays. He made his film debut in Dangerous (1935). He's known for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Bill Cracks Down (1937), Shanghai Chest (1948) and Superman (1948). He has over 400 acting credits with a career spanning over four decades. He died of diabetes and pneumonia in 1960, at age 72.