Clifford Charles Norton (born Clifford Charles Nathan;"United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936–2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KQ4-SYGY : 10 February 2023), Clifford Charles Nathan, . March 21, 1918Leszczak, Bob (2014). The Odd Couple on Stage and Screen: A History with Cast and Crew Profiles he Odd Couple on Stage and Screen: A History with Cast and Crew Profiles . Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 94. . – January 25, 2003) was an American character actor and radio announcer who appeared in various movies and television series over a career spanning four decades.
Early years Born and raised in Chicago, Norton was one of three children born to Benjamin W. Nathan and Sophia Sholdar."United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ7R-QBT : Thu Jul 20 22:03:31 UTC 2023), Entry for Benjamin Nathan and Albert Nathan, 1920. He attended Sullivan High School, and graduated in 1935. His early jobs included selling shoes and working as a floorwalker. His first broadcasting experience came as a disc jockey on Chicago's WAAF. During World War II he was a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Career On old-time radio, Norton was probably best known as the announcer for Dave Garroway's radio program; Norton was also a member of the cast of Terry and the Pirates.
Norton started working on television in the 1950s. He was a regular on Your Show of Shows, Sid Caesar Presents Comedy Preview,Garroway at Large, Caesar's Hour and The Dave Garroway Show. He performed standup comedy on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show. He was a regular panelist and presenter on the 1954 ABC game show What's Going On. He also had guest roles in series such as Studio One, The United States Steel Hour, The Alcoa Hour, and Kraft Television Theater. In 1952, he starred in the short-lived NBC comedy series The Public Life of Cliff Norton.
He was the star and announcer for the 1960s syndicated program The Funny Manns, which involved silent film footage used for broad comedic effect.King, Rob (2017). Hokum! : The Early Sound Slapstick Short and Depression-Era Mass Culture. Oakland, California: University of California Press. p. 196. .
Throughout the 1960s, Norton guest starred on programs such as The Cara Williams Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Hogan's Heroes, The Munsters, The Monkees, The Lucy Show, and Bewitched. He also created and starred in a spoofing weather spot called Your Weather and Mine, which aired on KTLA in Los Angeles in 1963.
He had a regular role in the 1966–1967 sitcom It's About Time as "Boss", the chief of a prehistoric caveman tribe. He also provided the voice for the lead character, Ed Huddles, in Hanna-Barbera's 1970 animated prime-time series Where's Huddles?
In 1971, he appeared in the final episode of Green Acres; this episode was a backdoor pilot for another sitcom that CBS later rejected.Cox, Stephen (1993). The Hooterville handbook : A Viewer's Guide to Green Acres. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 203. .
Norton appeared in several films in the 1960s and 1970s, including Kiss Me, Stupid (1964); Harlow (1965); Munster, Go Home! (1966); The Ghost and Mr. Chicken; The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966); Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came (1970); Harry and Tonto (1974); Funny Lady (1975); and all-star comedy films such as It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) and Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Norton guest starred in shows such as The Feather & Father Gang, The San Pedro Beach Bums, The Odd Couple and Remington Steele.
Death On January 25, 2003, Norton died of lung cancer at his home in Studio City, California at age 84. He was survived by three children and four grandchildren.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1952The Public Life of Cliff NortonHimselfLead role1954What's Going OnHimselfPanelist1958 Country Music Holiday Morty Chapman 1961The Funny MannsHimself/VariousHost1962The Dick Van Dyke ShowGame WardenSeason 2, Episode 11; "A Bird in the Head Hurts"1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Reporter Scene deleted1964 Kiss Me, Stupid Mack Gray 1964The MunstersPolice Chief HarrisSeason 1, Episode 3; "A Walk on the Mild Side"1965The Cara Williams ShowVarious2 episodes1965 Harlow Billy 1965 McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force Maj. Bill Grady 1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Charlie, the Bailiff 1966 Frankie and Johnny Eddie Uncredited1966 The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming Charlie Hinkson 1966 Munster, Go Home! Herbert 1966–1967It's About TimeBossRegular role1967 Hogan's Heroes Captain Kurtz Season 2, Episode 23; "Everyone Has a Brother-in-Law"1967 The Monkees J. L. Season 2, Episode 23; "The Picture Frame"1967 The Lucy Show Ike Season 5, Episode 20; "Lucy the Fight Manager"1968–1970BewitchedVarious7 episodes1970Where's Huddles?Ed HuddlesLead role; Voice over1970 Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came Herman Hyde 1970 The Phantom Tollbooth Kakofonous A. Dischord / Tollbooth Speaker Voice1971Green AcresHarry Grant1 episode1973 The Odd Couple Lloyd 1974 Harry and Tonto Used Car Salesman 1975 Funny Lady Stage Manager 1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Dog Catcher 1977 The Mouse and His Child Crow #2 Voice1977The Feather & Father GangSeason 1, Episode 6; "Never Con a Killer" (originally made as series pilot)1977The San Pedro Beach BumsSeason 1, Episode 4; "Godfathers Five"1982 Pandamonium Timothy Voice1983Remington SteeleMorrie SingerSeason 1, Episode 15; "To Stop a Steele"
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