Milton Selzer
(1918 - 2006)One the most recognizable and finest character actors around is Milton Selzer. He played quite a variety of types: losers, gangsters, clerks, gamblers, businessmen, sidekicks and everything in between and his sad, introspective demeanor enhanced these roles. He was born of Jewish-American stock in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 25, 1918, but spent his youth in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where the family moved. He was educated at the University of New Hampshire and served in the military during World War II in the Italian Campaign. He trained in acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Art and eventually hit the Broadway stage in productions such as "Julius Caesar." He was quite prolific in films and especially television. His films include: "The Last Mile" (1959) as Peddie, his film debut; "The Young Savages" (1961) as Walsh; "The Yellow Canary" (1963) as Vecchio; "Marnie" (1964) as Man at the Track; "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965) my particular favorite of his roles, as Doc Sokal; "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966) as Fleeson; "The Legend of Lylah Clare" (1968) as Bart Langner; "In Enemy Country" (1968) as Bartowski; "Blood and Lace" (1971) as Mr. Mullins; "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972) as The Doctor; "Another Man, Another Chance" (1977) uncredited as Miller; "The Evil" (1978) as Decker, the Realtor; "Blue Collar" (1978) as Sumabitch; "Capricorn One" (1978) as Dr. Roger Burroughs; "The Buddy System" (1984) as Landlord; "Sid and Nancy" (1986) as Granpa Spungen; "Walker" (1987) as Judge; "Shoot to Kill" (1988) a terrific film, as Mr. Berger; "Tapeheads" (1988) as Merlin Hinkle and "The Last Resort" (1994) as Irv his final film. On TV he was a regular on the sitcom "Needles and Pins" (1973) as Julius Singer; the soap "General Hospital" (1979) as Pop Selzer; "The Famous Teddy Z" (1989) as Abe Werkfinder; "Valley of the Dolls" (1994) as Manny Henry and "Scruples" (1980) a mini-series as Sid Amos. He appeared in many TV movies including: "Along Came a Spider" (1970); "The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal" (1979); "The People vs. Jean Harris" (1981) and "Mirrors" (1985). According to the book "Television Guest Stars: An Illustrated Chronicle for Performers of the Sixties and Seventies" he may hold the record for most prolific TV actor as he guest starred on more TV series than any other actor. Some of the series on which he appeared were: "Perry Mason"; "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; "The Rogues"; "Mr. Novak"; "Profiles in Courage"; "The Fugitive"; "Hogan's Heroes"; "Get Smart"; "Barney Miller"; "MacGyver"; "The Invaders"; "Gunsmoke"; "Green Acres"; "Bewitched"; "Mission: Impossible"; "All in the Family" "The Rockford Files"; "Little House on the Prairie"; "L.A. Law" "MacGyver" and "Walker, Texas Ranger". He added a touch of class to all the shows, plays and films in which he appeared. He was married to Alice Hickox and had a son, Ethan. He died on October 21, 2006 of pulmonary complications and a stroke in Oxnard, California at age 88.
From Great Character Actors, Page 3.
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