[2] While the Internet Movie Database has him appearing as a child actor in 1917's Jack and the Beanstalk, the American Film Institute has his first film role as Bent Weymer in 1932's Wild Horse Mesa, directed by Henry Hathaway, which was a featured part.

[5] Although he appeared in many films in small, un-credited roles, he also appeared in featured roles in many notable films, including: as the adult Andrew Horn in The Great Jasper (1933);[6] as Bill Radford in the 1933 drama, One Man's Journey;[7] as Dick in the romantic comedy Young and Beautiful (1934);[8] as Byron Coates/John Meseraux in the 1935 mystery, A Shot in the Dark;[9] as Orin Tallant in the 1935 western, The Arizonian;[10] as Arthur Pennyward in The Lady in Scarlet (1935);[11] as Don Adams in the 1937 war film, I Cover the War!

;[12] as Johnny Eaton in the adventure film, Outlaws of the Orient (1937);[13] as Henry Crusper in the 1939 comedy Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President;[14] as Ken Morgan in West of Cimarron, a Three Mesquiteers western (1940);[15] as Joe Morgan in the Laurel and Hardy comedy, A-Haunting We Will Go;[16] and as Hartman in another Laurel and Hardy film, The Big Noise (1944).

[17] Occasionally, Bush would appear in a starring role: as Ralph Nelson in House of Danger (1934);[18] and as Mark Twain in the 1937 western, Battle of Greed.

[33] Bush also made infrequent appearances in film serials, such as Burn 'Em Up Barnes in 1934, and 1940's Mysterious Doctor Satan.Towards the end of his career, he made several guest appearances on television programs, including The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951), The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1952), and Dragnet in 1953, which was also his last acting performance.