For over 50 years his was one of the most familiar faces in film and
television and probably the least known by his given name. Tall and lean
with a thin face marked by a pleasant smile and friendly eyes he was most
often cast as a pal or sidekick to the lead actor, a friendly neighbor,
an army buddy, gentleman suitor or similar roles. He was born in Chicago,
Illinois on August 13, 1909 to a non-theatrical family. His love for acting
blossomed as he performed in theatre and drama while attending the University
of Wisconsin. After he left college he joined his lifelong friend, actor
Jack Carson, in vaudeville as part of the team of "Willock & Carson."
From vaudeville he went into radio broadcasting, again with his friend Carson,
appearing as Carson's frenetic neighbor, Tugwell and as the little girl
next door on his radio program. His movie debut came in 1939 in "Good
Girls Go to Paris" as a Student and he began in smaller, sometimes
uncredited, bit parts eventually working his way up to "juicier"
roles. His other film credits include: "Legion of Lost Flyers"
(1939) as Blinkey; "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939) in an
uncredited role as Senate Guard; "The Chocolate Soldier" (1941)
as Messenger Boy; "Never Give A Sucker an Even Break" (1941) with
W.C. Fields, as Assistant Director Johnson; "The Fleet's In" (1942)
as Sailor; "Frisco Lil" (1942) as Student; "Wing and a Prayer"
(1944) as Ens. Hans Jacobson; "Four Jills in a Jeep" (1944) as
Soldier; "Pin-Up Girl" (1944) as Dud Miller; "This Love of
Ours" (1945) as Dr. Dailey; "Pride of the Marines" (1945)
uncredited as Red; "So This Is New York" (1948) as Willis Gilbey;
"Flat Top" (1952) as Willie; "Battle Zone" (1952) as
Smitty; "Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation" (1953) as Franklin; "It
Came From Outer Space" (1953) as Pete Davis; "Revenge of the Creature"
(1955) as Lou Gibson; "The Buster Keaton Story" (1957) as Joe
Keaton; "Ten Seconds to Hell" (1959) as Tillig; "What Ever
Happened to Baby Jane" (1962) with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, as
Ray Hudson; "4 for Texas" (1963) as Alfred; "The Adventures
of Bullwhip Griffin" (1967) as Ticket Seller; "The Grissom Gang"
(1971) as Rocky; "Emperor of the North" (1973) as Groundhog and
"Hustle" (1975) as Liquor Store Clerk, his last film. He was even
better known for his television work as a regular on the series: "Dave
and Charlie" (1952) as Himself; "Do It Yourself" (1955) as
Co-Host; "Boots and Saddles" (1957-59) as Lt. Binning; "Margie"
(1961-62) as Harvey Clayton, the role my generation best remembers him for;
"Green Acres" (1966-67) as Tom Blackwell; "The Beautiful
Phyllis Diller Show" (1968) as a Regular Performer; "The Queen
and I" (1969) as Ozzie and the animated series "Roman Holidays"
(1972) as voice of Gus Holiday. He also guest starred on numerous series
including: "Buckskin"; "Wanted: Dead or Alive"; "Richard
Diamond, Private Detective"; "Twilight Zone"; "Bonanza";
"Perry Mason"; "Temple Houston"; "The Munsters";
"Green Acres"; "My Three Sons" and "The Beverly
Hillbillies." He died on November 12, 1990 of the complications of
a stroke in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 81.