Actor. He had a five decade career of appearing on stage, in films and television shows. His first stage appearance was in the Broadway tryout of Orson Welle's "Five Kings," followed by a long run in "Out of the Frying Pan." After serving in WWII, he performed in numerous stage performances on both coasts and was on early TV shows "Studio One" and "Gunsmoke." In 1952, he won the Clarence Derwent Award for his role in "Mrs. McThing" on Broadway. He also originated the role of Marcellus Washburn in the Broadway musical, "The Music Man" as the sidekick of Robert Preston's Harold Hill. He appeared in feature films "Herbie Rides Again," "Strongest Man in the World," "Telefon," "Hex" and played Hollywood agent Meyer Mishkin in Steven Spielberg's, "1941." His television appearances included "The Rockford Files," "Love, American Style," "Get Smart" and "Mary Tyler Moore." He was awarded the Screen Actors Guild life achievement award, served as emeritus adviser to SAG, AFTRA and Actors' Equity. He also founded the Hollywood branch of the Actor's Fund and ran its operations for 15 years.
Actor. He had a five decade career of appearing on stage, in films and television shows. His first stage appearance was in the Broadway tryout of Orson Welle's "Five Kings," followed by a long run in "Out of the Frying Pan." After serving in WWII, he performed in numerous stage performances on both coasts and was on early TV shows "Studio One" and "Gunsmoke." In 1952, he won the Clarence Derwent Award for his role in "Mrs. McThing" on Broadway. He also originated the role of Marcellus Washburn in the Broadway musical, "The Music Man" as the sidekick of Robert Preston's Harold Hill. He appeared in feature films "Herbie Rides Again," "Strongest Man in the World," "Telefon," "Hex" and played Hollywood agent Meyer Mishkin in Steven Spielberg's, "1941." His television appearances included "The Rockford Files," "Love, American Style," "Get Smart" and "Mary Tyler Moore." He was awarded the Screen Actors Guild life achievement award, served as emeritus adviser to SAG, AFTRA and Actors' Equity. He also founded the Hollywood branch of the Actor's Fund and ran its operations for 15 years.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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