Norman Leavitt
Norman Turner Leavitt (December 1, 1913 – December 11, 2005) was an American film and television actor.
Norman Leavitt | |
---|---|
Born | Norman Turner Leavitt December 1, 1913 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | December 11, 2005 92) Solvang, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupation(s) | Film and television actor |
Years active | 1935–1978 |
Spouse(s) | Margaret Anna Haldin (?—1992; her death)[1] |
Life and career
Leavitt was born in Lansing, Michigan.[2][3] He began his stage career in 1935, appearing as a wedding guest in the Broadway play How Beautiful With Shoes.[4]
Leavitt made his film debut in 1941.[5] in 1946 he appeared in The Harvey Girls.[6] During the 1940s and 1950s he mainly appeared in films in uncredited and supporting roles.[5]
Films he appeared in during the 1950s and 1960s including It's a Dog's Life, The Long, Long Trailer, Stars and Stripes Forever, Somebody Loves Me, The Merry Widow, Hannah Lee: An American Primitive, O. Henry's Full House, California Passage, Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell, Harvey, The Killer That Stalked New York, Wabash Avenue, The Inspector General, A Woman of Distinction, Off Limits, The Luck of the Irish, Showdown at Boot Hill, God Is My Partner, Valerie, The Way to the Gold, The Shadow on the Window, The Ten Commandments, Fury at Gunsight Pass, Ride, Vaquero!, Living It Up, The Kentuckian and When Gangland Strikes,[2][3][5][7] Combat Squad,[8] The Rookie, and Teenage Monster.[9]
Leavitt started appearing on television in 1952 in The Adventures of Kit Carson. In 1958 Leavitt played the recurring role of the dimwitted jail handyman Ralph in the western television series Trackdown.[10]
In the 1960s and 1970s Leavitt started appearing in more television programs and fewer films. His television credits include Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, Mayberry, R.F.D., Perry Mason, The Fugitive, The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bonanza, Lost in Space, The Wild Wild West, The Jack Benny Program, Mister Ed, Death Valley Days, The Rifleman, Leave It to Beaver, Peter Gunn, The Addams Family, Wagon Train, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Millionaire, The Guns of Will Sonnett and Ironside.[2][3][5][7] He also appeared in The Andy Griffith Show, playing a number of different roles.[7]
Leavitt retired in 1978, last appearing in the television series Quincy, M.E..[2]
Death
Leavitt died in December 2005 of dehydration and dementia at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Solvang, California, at the age of 92.[2][11][12] His body was cremated.[11]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1946 | The Harvey Girls | 2nd Cowboy | |
1946 | Idea Girl | Joe – Mailman | uncredited |
1946 | The Spider Woman Strikes Back | Tom | |
1946 | Two Sisters from Boston | Singing Waiter | uncredited |
1946 | The Hoodlum Saint | Dance Contestant No. 1 – Mamie's Partner | uncredited |
1946 | The Runaround | Van Driver | uncredited |
1947 | The Michigan Kid | Lineman | uncredited |
1947 | The Unfinished Dance | Joe | uncredited |
1947 | Daisy Kenyon | Fourth Cab Driver | uncredited |
1947 | If Winter Comes | Cyril Cottswood | uncredited |
1948 | The Big Clockc | Tourist | uncredited |
1948 | Best Man Wins | Hotel Clerk | uncredited |
1948 | The Walls of Jericho | Adam McAdam | uncredited |
1948 | The Luck of the Irish | Milkman | uncredited |
1948 | Music Man | Sam | |
1948 | The Three Musketeers | Mousqueton | uncredited |
1948 | That Wonderful Urge | Farley Grocery Clerk | uncredited |
1948 | Yellow Sky | Bank Teller | uncredited |
1949 | The Reckless Moment | Second Postal Clerk | uncredited |
1949 | The Great Lover | Radio Operator | uncredited |
1949 | The Inspector General | Lazlo | uncredited |
1950 | Mule Train | Homer – Telegrapher | uncredited |
1950 | A Woman of Distinction | Earl – Hotel Desk Clerk | uncredited |
1950 | Side Street | Bartender | uncredited |
1950 | Wabash Avenue | Poker Player | uncredited |
1950 | The Flame and the Arrow | Tied Up Palace Guard | uncredited |
1950 | The Return of Jesse James | Dr. Hallstrom | |
1950 | The Killer That Stalked New York | The Photographer | uncredited |
1950 | Harvey | Henry Riley – Cab Driver | uncredited |
1950 | California Passage | Bartender | uncredited |
1951 | Vengeance Valley | Cowhand | uncredited |
1951 | M | Harry Greer | uncredited |
1951 | Show Boat | George the Calliope Player | uncredited |
1951 | Comin' Round the Mountain | Zeb | |
1951 | Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell | Pharmacist | uncredited |
1951 | The Lady and the Bandit | B. Hedger | uncredited |
1951 | The Red Badge of Courage | Union Soldier | uncredited |
1951 | Drums in the Deep South | Confederate Soldier | uncredited |
1951 | The Stooge | Cabbie | uncredited |
1951 | Elopement | Western Union Clark | uncredited |
1952 | The Bushwackers | Deputy Yale | |
1952 | For Men Only | Motorist | uncredited |
1952 | Mutiny | 2nd Mate Hackett | uncredited |
1952 | Deadline - U.S.A. | Reporter | uncredited |
1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Yokel | uncredited |
1952 | Captain Pirate | Tall Pirate | uncredited |
1952 | The Merry Widow | Scout Leader | uncredited |
1952 | Somebody Loves Me | Bellhop | uncredited |
1952 | Stars and Stripes Forever | John Purvis | uncredited |
1952 | Off Limits | Chowhound | |
1953 | The Blue Gardenia | Bill | uncredited |
1953 | Hannah Lee: An American Primitive | Miller | uncredited |
1953 | Ride, Vaquero! | Dentist | uncredited |
1953 | The Moonlighter | Tidy | |
1953 | Combat Squad | Fred Jones | |
1953 | The Fabulous Oliver Chantry | Reporter No. 2 | TV movie |
1954 | The Long, Long Trailer | Driver | uncredited |
1954 | Living It Up | Photographer | uncredited |
1955 | The Kentuckian | Frontiersman | uncredited |
1955 | Kismet | Fig Vendor | uncredited |
1955 | It's a Dog's Life | Bartender | uncredited |
1956 | Inside Detroit | Preacher Bronislav | |
1956 | Fury at Gunsight Pass | Mitchell | uncredited |
1956 | Backlash | Hotel Clerk | uncredited |
1956 | When Gangland Strikes | Court Clerk | uncredited |
1956 | The Ten Commandments | Slave | uncredited |
1956 | Friendly Persuasion | Clem – Looter | uncredited |
1956 | The Brass Legend | Deputy Cooper | |
1956 | Stagecoach to Fury | Customer | |
1957 | The Quiet Gun | Matt Harper | uncredited |
1957 | The Shadow on the Window | Postman | uncredited |
1957 | Fury at Showdown | Swamper | |
1957 | The Spirit of St. Louis | Ryan Aircraft Employee | uncredited |
1957 | The Way to the Gold | Jig Long | uncredited |
1957 | The Buckskin Lady | Taylor | uncredited |
1957 | God Is My Partner | Court Clerk | uncredited |
1957 | Valerie | Linsey | uncredited |
1957 | The Girl in Black Stockings | Amos | |
1957 | Rockabilly Baby | Fred Rogers | |
1958 | Teenage Monster | Deputy Ed | |
1958 | Live Fast, Die Young | Sam – Hotel Clerk | |
1958 | The Left Handed Gun | General Store Clerk | uncredited |
1958 | The Sheepman | Town Loafer | uncredited |
1958 | Showdown at Boot Hill | Photographer | uncredited |
1959 | The Rookie | Maj. Evert | |
1960 | Elmer Gantry | Salesman in Saloon | uncredited |
1960 | Young Jesse James | Folsom | |
1960 | The Facts of Life | Parent at Meeting | uncredited |
1960 | Cinderfella | Gold Chauffeur | uncredited |
1961 | Swingin' Along | Cab Driver | uncredited |
1962 | Saintly Sinners | Pittheus | |
1962 | The Three Stooges in Orbit | William, The Martian | |
1962 | Period of Adjustment | Christmas Caroler | uncredited |
1962 | Billy Rose's Jumbo | Eddie | |
1963 | Showdown | Townsman Giving Directions | uncredited |
1963 | Summer Magic | Barber | uncredited |
1964 | The Patsy | Newsboy | uncredited |
1964 | Looking for Love | Buyer | uncredited |
1965 | The Family Jewels | Carl = Gas Station Manager | uncredited |
1965 | McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force | Russian Seaman | |
1966 | Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! | Titus Zeale, Gas Station Proprietor | uncredited |
1966 | The Swinger | Vendor | uncredited |
1968 | With Six You Get Eggroll | Executive | uncredited |
1969 | Hook, Line & Sinker | Dr. Everson – County Coroner | uncredited |
1970 | Which Way to the Front? | Mr. Benson | uncredited |
1970 | There Was a Crooked Man... | Prisoner | uncredited |
1971 | The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker | Mr. Van Meter | |
1975 | The Day of the Locust | Mr. Odlesh |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1952 | The Adventures of Kit Carson | Frank | 1 episode |
1952–1954 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | Party Guest/Man | 3 episodes |
1952–1953 | The Roy Rogers Show | Cliff Miller/Hank Blodgett – Sheriff's Brother | 2 episodes |
1953–1956 | General Electric Theater | Silm/Clerk | 4 episodes |
1953 | Your Jeweler's Showcase | 1 episode | |
1954–1958 | December Bride | Carpenter/Lester/Mr. Foster | 6 episodes |
1954 | Waterfront | Slim | 2 episodes |
1954 | Mr. and Mrs. North | Orrie | 1 episode |
1954–1956 | Studio 57 | Deputy Clem/Al/Insane Prisoner | 3 episodes |
1954 | The Mickey Rooney Show | Window Washer | 1 episode |
1955 | Adventures of the Falcon | Spike Rogan | 1 episode |
1955 | Stories of the Century | Constable | 1 episode |
1955 | The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse | Burt | 1 episode |
1955 | The Millionaire | Constable Logan | 1 episode |
1955–1957 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin | Rancher/Howard Thurston | 2 episodes |
1955 | Soldiers of Fortune | Erik Mueller | 1 episode |
1956–1962 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Elmer/Accountant/Ed-Gas Station Attendant/The Painter | Season 1 Episode 33 "The Belfry" as Elmer (1956)
Season 2 Episode 14 "John Brown's Body as Accountant (1956) Season 2 Episode 28 "One More Mile to Go" as Ed the Gas Station Attendant (1957) Season 7 Episode 38 "Where Beauty Lies" as The Painter (1962) |
1956 | The Ford Television Theatre | Arthur | 1 episode |
1956 | Celebrity Playhouse | Fred | 1 episode |
1956–1958 | State Trooper | C.R. Benedict/Ross Partridge | 2 episodes |
1956 | The 20th Century Fox Hour | 1 episode | |
1957–1963 | Perry Mason | Alexander Redfield/Ballistics Expert/Crime Lab Technician/Technician | 5 episodes |
1957 | Whirlybirds | Emmett Stevens | 1 episode |
1957 | Navy Log | Shorty | 1 episode |
1957 | The Gale Storm Show | Reyes | 1 episode |
1957 | You Are There | 1 episode | |
1957–1961 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Prosecuting Attorney/Willy Zane/The Agent | 3 episodes |
1957 | Panic! | Hired Man | 1 episode |
1957 | Circus Boy | Deputy Summers/2nd Rancher | 2 episodes |
1957–1965 | Wagon Train | Mr. Spartan/Wilk Beal/Sam – Bartender/Wagon Train Member/Judd Higgins/Frank/Joe Casper/Cory/Slim/First Guard/Mr. Kelsey | 11 episodes |
1957 | Tales of the Texas Rangers | Sheriff | 1 episode |
1957 | Casey Jones | Telegrapher/Vic Presby | 4 episodes |
1958–1959 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | Policeman | 2 episodes |
1958 | The Life of Riley | Eddie | 1 episode |
1958–1959 | Trackdown | Clerk/Ralph | 26 episodes |
1958 | Rescue 8 | 1st Zoo Attendant | 1 episode |
1958–1960 | The Texan | Bender/Waiter/Bartender | 3 episodes |
1958–1960 | 'The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour | Gas Station Attendant/George/Chauffeur | 3 episodes |
1958 | Flight | 1 episode | |
1959 | Cimarron City | Mr. Hickens – Citizen Being Mobbed | 1 episode |
1959–1960 | The DuPont Show with June Allyson | Mr. Howell/Sheriff | 2 episodes |
1959–1961 | Dennis the Menace | Mr. Ferris/Brown/Farmer/Officer Ted Quincy | 4 episodes |
1959 | The Magical World of Disney | Townsman | 1 episode |
1959–1963 | Laramie | Newspaperman/Smokey/Station Ranch Hand/Jud/George/Desk Clerk/Freight Agent/Saloon Keeper/Frank/Bartender/Hotel Clerk/Freddie | 14 episodes |
1959 | Fibber McGee and Molly | Chester Cook | 1 episode |
1959 | Alcoa Theatre | Reporter | 1 episode |
1959–1960 | M Squad | Vending Machine Co. Manager/Garth the Barber | 2 episodes |
1959 | Man with a Camera | The Texan | 1 episode |
1959 | Peter Gunn | Derelict | 1 episode |
1959 | Men into Space | Doctor | 1 episode |
1960–1963 | Rawhide | Hotel Clerk/Telegraph Operator/Court Clerk/Deputy of Elkville/Loafer/Miner | 6 episodes |
1961 | Rawhide | Telegraph Operator | S3:E21, "Incident of His Brother's Keeper" |
1960–1962 | Thriller | Charlie/Hendricks | 2 episodes |
1960 | Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond | Noah | 1 episode |
1960–1961 | Maverick | Bartender/Ezra Gouch | 2 episodes |
1960 | Pony Express | Ben Tate – Way Station Manager | 1 episode |
1960–1967 | Bonanza | Rudy the Telegrapher/Bert/Ramsey the Telegrapher/Al the Telegrapher/Mr. Bartlett/Clerk/Telegrapher | 9 episodes |
1960 | Leave It to Beaver | Veterinarian | 1 episode |
1960–1961 | Stagecoach West | Gabe/Adam | 2 episodes |
1960–1963 | The Andy Griffith Show | Cal/Gil/Townsman/Ralph-Town Councilman/Wally | 6 episodes |
1960 | Shirley Temple's Storybook | Lightning Bug Repairman | 1 episode |
1960 | Bachelor Father | Pappas' Attorney | 1 episode |
1961 | The Brothers Brannagan | Howie | 1 episode |
1961–1962 | Hazel | Joe/Charley | 2 episodes |
1961 | Michael Shayne | Desk Clerk | 1 episode |
1961–1963 | Alcoa Premiere | Driver/The Thin Pale Man | 2 episodes |
1961 | The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp | Mr. Phillips | 2 episodes |
1961 | The Untouchables | Customs Records Clerk | 1 episode |
1961–1962 | Checkmate | Railroad Station Agent/Bus Driver/Parade Indian | 3 episodes |
1961 | Gunslinger | Bank Clerk | 1 episode |
1961 | Whispering Smith | Clerk | 1 episode |
1961–1962 | Outlaws | Willie Scosee/George | 2 episodes |
1961 | The New Bob Cummings Show | 1 episode | |
1961–1963 | The Rifleman | Jephtha Docking/Hotel Clerk | 2 episodes |
1961 | Frontier Circus | Willoughby | 1 episode |
1961–1964 | Death Valley Days | Family Member/Leif Weaver/Joe Harper | 4 episodes |
1961 | The Hathaways | Wilmer Bennett | 1 episode |
1962–1963 | Gunsmoke | Orderly/Stableman | 2 episodes |
1962 | Ripcord | Air Controller | 1 episode |
1962–1965 | The Lucy Show | Clerk/Farmer Johnson | 2 episodes |
1962 | 87th Precinct | Gas Station Attendant | 1 episode |
1962 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | Quint | 1 episode |
1962–1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Ben Kaylor/Kyle Sawyer/The Gas Company Man | 3 episodes |
1962–1963 | The New Loretta Young Show | Sheriff/Elwyn | 4 episodes |
1962 | Cheyenne | Pete | 1 episode |
1962 | Going My Way | Milkman | 1 episode |
1962–1964 | Mister Ed | Holly/TV Repairman/Repairman | 3 episodes |
1963 | Lassie | Mr. Timmins | 1 episode |
1963–1966 | The Beverly Hillbillies | Attendant/Driver | 2 episodes |
1963–1966 | Petticoat Junction | Fred Thompson/Clyde Rambo | 2 episodes |
1963 | Wide Country | Ike Bieler | 1 episode |
1963 | The Jack Benny Program | Thin Announcer | 1 episode |
1963 | The Dakotas | Jaimie | 1 episode |
1963 | The Fugitive | Doctor | 1 episode |
1963 | Temple Houston | 1 episode | |
1963 | Channing | The Manager | 1 episode |
1964 | Arrest and Trial | The 2nd Addict | 1 episode |
1964–1965 | Kraft Suspense Theatre | Gotch/The Farmer/Peter Johnson | 3 episodes |
1964 | The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters | Prospector | 1 episode |
1964 | Destry | The Wayback Bartender | 1 episode |
1964–1970 | The Virginian | Fowler/Joe Mapes/Clem Atwell/Ragpicker/Charles Colton/Barber/Storekeeper | 9 episodes |
1964 | The Twilight Zone | Sheriff Gilchrist | 1 episode |
1964 | Burke's Law | Interne | 1 episode |
1965 | The Addams Family | Mr. Conkey | 1 episode |
1965–1966 | Laredo | Farmer/Oakes/McClory | 3 episodes |
1965 | A Man Called Shenandoah | Hotel Clerk | 1 episode |
1965–1970 | Daniel Boone | Clyde Devon/Nathan/Starkie | 3 episodes |
1965 | Green Acres | Telephone Man | 1 episode |
1966 | The Loner | Abner | 1 episode |
1966 | The Green Hornet | Walter Melvin | 1 episode |
1967 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Hiram | 1 episode |
1967 | Lost in Space | Charlie | 1 episode |
1967–1968 | The Guns of Will Sonnett | Shelby Witty/Stableman | 2 episodes |
1967 | Cimarron Strip | Hobo | 1 episode |
1968 | The Big Valley | Sam | 1 episode |
1968 | Run for Your Life | Gas Station Attendant | 1 episode |
1968–1971 | Mayberry R.F.D. | Mr. Felton/Ollie/Postman | 7 episodes |
1969 | The Wild Wild West | Mayor Hiram Sneed/Sheriff Corby | 2 episodes |
1969–1972 | Ironside | Farmer/Peter Ferguson | 2 episodes |
1970 | The Name of the Game | Mr. Venables | 1 episode |
1971 | Alias Smith and Jones | Wagon Driver | 1 episode |
1971–1972 | Longstreet | Truck Driver/Motel Manager | 2 episodes |
1973 | Kung Fu | Burt Proctor | 1 episode |
1978 | Quincy, M.E. | Grave Digger | 1 episode |
References
- "California Death Index, 1940—1997", digital database, death of Margaret Anna (née Haldin) Leavitt in Merced, California, June 17, 1992; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento; record via FamilySearch archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- Lentz, Harris (May 4, 2006). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2005. McFarland. pp. 220–221. ISBN 9780786424894 – via Google Books.
- "Norman Leavitt". TV Guide. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- "Norman Leavitt". Playbill. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- "Norman Leavitt Filmography". Fandango. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- Vogel, Michelle (June 8, 2015). Marjorie Main: The Life and Films of Hollywood's "Ma Kettle". McFarland. p. 166. ISBN 9781476604268 – via Google Books.
- Robinson, Fernandes, Dale, David (2012). The Definitive Andy Griffith Show Reference: Episode-by-Episode, with Cast and Production Biographies and a Guide to Collectibles. McFarland. p. 31. ISBN 978-1476601878 – via Google Books.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Lentz, Robert (May 2016). Korean War Filmography: 91 English Language Features through 2000. McFarland. pp. 86–88. ISBN 978-1476621548 – via Google Books.
- Craig, Rob (September 25, 2013). It Came from 1957: A Critical Guide to the Year's Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. McFarland. p. 197. ISBN 9780786477777 – via Google Books.
- Mayers, Boyd. "Do You Remember... "Trackdown"". westernclippings.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- Willson, Scott (August 19, 2016). Resting Places – The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d Ed. McFarland. p. 431. ISBN 9781476625997 – via Google Books.
- The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, 2005. Carroll & Graf. 2006. p. 537. ISBN 9780786718337 – via Google Books.