Stuart Erwin

Stuart Erwin (February 14, 1903 – December 21, 1967) was an American actor of stage, film, and television.

Stuart Erwin
Erwin in Mr. Boggs Steps Out (1938)
Born(1903-02-14)February 14, 1903
Squaw Valley, Fresno County, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 21, 1967(1967-12-21) (aged 64)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placeChapel of the Pines Crematory
OccupationActor
Years active1922–1967
Spouse
​
(m. 1931)​
Children2

Early years

Erwin was born in Squaw Valley, Fresno County, California.[1] He attended Porterville High School and the University of California.[2]

Career

Erwin began acting in college in the 1920s, having first appeared on stage. From there, he acted in stock theater in Los Angeles.[2]

Film career
Erwin, far right, with Pat O'Brien, Martha Tibbetts, James Cagney, and June Travis in Ceiling Zero (1936)

He broke into films in 1928 in Mother Knows Best. In 1934, he was cast as Joe Palooka in the film Palooka. In 1932, he co-starred with Bing Crosby in the comedy The Big Broadcast, where he played Texas oil tycoon Leslie McWhinney.

In 1936, he was cast in Pigskin Parade, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1940, he played Howie Newsome, the dairy delivery vendor, in the film adaptation of Our Town, based on the Thornton Wilder play.

In Walt Disney's Bambi, Erwin performed the voice of a tree squirrel. Later, Erwin appeared in the Disney films Son of Flubber and The Misadventures of Merlin Jones.

Radio career

In 1946, Erwin starred in Phone Again Finnegan on CBS. He played an apartment house manager in the comedy-drama.[3]

He also played various roles on Theater Guild on the Air, Lux Radio Theatre, The Old Gold Radio Theatre and Cavalcade of America.

Television career

In 1950, Erwin made the transition to television, in which he starred in Trouble with Father,[4]: 1109  which was retitled The Stu Erwin Show, with his co-star and real-life wife June Collyer. In 1963–1964, he played Otto King on The Greatest Show on Earth.[4]

Erwin guest-starred on Crossroads, Angel, Bonanza, The Donna Reed Show, Straightaway, Gunsmoke and Our Man Higgins.

Erwin made four guest appearances on Perry Mason, including the role of Clem P. "Sandy" Sandover in the 1962 episode "The Case of the Double-Entry Mind" and Everett Stanton in the 1964 episode "The Case of the Scandalous Sculptor".

Erwin guest-starred on Father Knows Best in the episode titled "Family Contest" in the role of Mr. Hensley and on The Andy Griffith Show, season 1, episode 8, portraying Tom Silby who was presumed dead, but returned to town after a two-year absence.

Personal life

Erwin married actress June Collyer on July 22, 1931, in Yuma, Arizona.[5]

Death

Erwin died of a heart attack on December 21, 1967 in Beverly Hills, California, at age 64. He was interred at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles.[6]

Recognition

Erwin has a star at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard in the Television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated February 8, 1960.[7]

Partial filmography

References
  1. "Stu Erwin, Film, Video Actor, Dies". Valley News. California, Van Nuys. December 22, 1967. p. 36. Retrieved August 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Talkies' Funny Man, Bride Return to Hollywood Home". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. July 28, 1931. p. 26. Retrieved August 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. "'Phone Again Finnegan,' New Comedy Series on WHP, Stars Stu Erwin". Harrisburg Telegraph. No. June 22, 1946. Harrisburg Telegraph. June 22, 1946. p. 21. Retrieved March 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 415. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  5. "June Collyer Weds". The Scranton Republican. Pennsylvania, Scranton. Associated Press. July 23, 1931. p. 4. Retrieved August 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  7. "Stu Erwin". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
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