Sheldon Leonard
(1907 - 1997)He had one of the most fascinating, familiar and recognizable voices in all of show business. He was also one of the most talented actors, directors and producers in "the biz." He was tall and stocky with dark, wavy hair, a sneery face and that voice and 'New Yawk' accent that was his trademark. He was most often cast in Runyonesque roles as a gangster, tough guy or henchman. He was born Sheldon Leonard Bershad in New York City on February 22, 1907 and grew up there. He attended Syracuse University after which he secured a job on New York’s Wall Street as an executive. The crash of 1929 and the Depression led to the loss of his job. Later he made his way to Broadway and acting on stage. Immediately he was cast as hoods, thugs and tough guys. He was successful on Broadway and appeared on radio also as a regular on the "Jack Benny Show" among others. Eventually he made his way to Hollywood and his movie debut in "Ouanga" (1936) as LeStrange, the Overseer. Among his other film credits were: "Another Thin Man" (1939) as Phil Church; "Tall, Dark and Handsome" (1941) as Pretty Willie; "Tennessee Johnson" (1944) with Van Heflin, as Atzerodt; "Lucky Jordan" (1942) as Slip Moran; "Tortilla Flat" (1942) as Tito Ralph; "Hit the Ice" (1943) with Sonia Henie, as Silky Fellowsby; "To Have and Have Not" (1944) as Lt. Coyo; "Frontier Gal" (1945) as Blackie; "Captain Kidd" (1945) as Cyprian Boyle; "The Last Crooked Mile" (1946) as Ed 'Wires' McGuire; and his best known and my favorite of his roles in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) as Nick; "If You Knew Susie" (1948) as Steve Garland; "Come Fill the Cup" (1951) as Lennie Garr; "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" (1951) as Morgan; "Stop, You're Killing Me" (1952) as Lefty; "Guys and Dolls" (1955) as Harry the Horse; "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961) with Bette Davis, as Steve Darcey and "The Brinks Job" (1978) as J. Edgar Hoover, his last film role. On TV he was a regular on the series: "The Duke" (1954) as Sam Marco; "Make Room for Daddy" aka "The Danny Thomas Show" (1959-61) as Phil Brokaw; the animated series "Linus the Lionhearted" (1964-66) as Voice of King Linus; "I Spy" (1965) as Sorgi and "Big Eddie" (1975) as Big Eddie Smith. He became a respected and talented director and producer winning Emmy awards for his work. Some of the shows he produced were: "Make Room for Daddy"; "I Spy"; "My World and Welcome to It"; "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." He guest starred on such TV series as: "I Love Lucy"; "The Dick Van Dyke Show"; "Sanford and Son"; "The Cosby Show"; "Matlock"; "Murder, She Wrote" and "Cheers." He was married to Frances Babor in 1935 and they had two children. He died on January 10, 1997 of natural causes in Beverly Hills, California at age 89.
From Great Character Actors, Page 6.
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