Edmunds, despite his name having undergone Anglicization, was often typecast in roles that showcased his versatility in portraying characters from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including those of darker complexion or Latin descent, such as Spaniards, Mexicans, Frenchmen, Gypsies, Arabs, Polynesians, and other exotic nationalities, thereby earning him the reputation of being a sort of poor-man's equivalent of the renowned character actor J. Carroll Naish.
Born in Italy in 1891, Edmunds is particularly notable for his impressive body of work in Italian-themed films, with some of his most memorable roles including those in "A Bell for Adano" (1945),"The Lost Moment" (1947),and, most notably, his iconic portrayal of Mr. Martini in the beloved classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946).