Peter Leeds (May 30, 1917 – November 12, 1996) was an American actor who appeared on television more than 8,000 times and also had many film, Broadway, and radio credits. The majority of his work took place in the 1950s and 1960s. Working with many well-known comedians, he became popular as a straight man to their antics.
Beyond situation comedies, Peter Leeds was also a dramatic actor, a Broadway performer, and a regular on many variety shows. He made three guest appearances on Perry Mason and multiple appearances on the radio drama Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Peter Leeds was also a popular voice-over artist, being heard on over 3,000 radio shows.
Early life
A native of Bayonne, New Jersey, Leeds received his training at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He made his film debut with a bit part in Public Enemies (1941). He received a scholarship from the John Marshall Law School, which he attended for one year. He also attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Leeds was noticed by the Group Theater of New York, through which he received a scholarship and graduated.
Career
Leeds worked with hundreds of well-known actors, including Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Johnny Carson. He appeared four times with David Janssen in the crime drama, Richard Diamond, Private Detective. Leeds was cast as George Colton in nine episodes of the 1960s CBS sitcom, Pete and Gladys. He guest-starred on an episode of the 1961 crime adventure-drama series The Investigators and on an episode of the 1962-1963 ABC drama series, Going My Way. In 1965, he guest-starred in an episode of The Cara Williams Show.
Leeds was known for his association with Stan Freberg and played his foil in several song parodies. In addition, he had several roles on both Volume One and Volume Two of the classic comedy albums Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America, and also appeared as a regular on the short-lived CBS radio series The Stan Freberg Show in 1957.
Leeds had a recurring role as gambler/saloon owner Tenner Smith in the 1957-1959 CBS television series, Trackdown.Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Temple Houston, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Buffalo Bill, Jr., and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans in Series Television, 1955 to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), p. 104
Leeds appeared in three episodes of Perry Mason including Bill Emory in the 1958 episode "The Case of the Sunbather's Diary."
Leeds played federal agent LaMarr KaneTerrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 1132. in "The Scarface Mob", the pilot for ABC's The Untouchables TV series, a role taken over in the actual series by Chuck Hicks. He was a member of the casts of the 1958 version of The Betty White Show and The Buster Keaton Show , and made an appearance on Batman (TV show) (year two, episodes 29 and 30).
USO tours Leeds accompanied Bob Hope on 14 international USO (United Service Organizations) tours.
Voice work Leeds also did voices for animated television and film, including The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat, Hong Kong Phooey, The New Yogi Bear Show, The Dukes, Challenge of the GoBots, CBS Storybreak, The Jetsons and was the narrator of The Quick Draw McGraw Show. He was also on the CBS radio program, The Stan Freberg Show along with Daws Butler and June Foray.
Broadway Leeds appeared on Broadway in the first cast of Sugar Babies along with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller in 1979.
Personal life and death Leeds and his wife of 34 years, Pat Leeds, had a son, Dr. Michael Leeds.Turner Classic Movies Leeds died of cancer at the age of 79, on November 12, 1996, in Los Angeles, California.
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists During the 1970s, Leeds spent five years as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). He later served on the actors' union's national and local Board of Directors. In 1992, AFTRA repaid his many years of service with its highest honor, the Gold Card. Leeds later served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1941 Public Enemies Reporter 1941 Pacific Blackout Air Raid Warden Uncredited1942 Don Winslow of the Navy Seaman Chapman Serial1942 Treat 'Em Rough Davis 1942 Priorities on Parade Joe - Factory Employee / Show Coordinator Uncredited1942 The Secret Code Henchman Carl Hiecke Serial, [Ch. 9]1942 I Married a Witch Ambulance Attendant Uncredited1942 Reunion in France Boy Uncredited1943 Lady Bodyguard Intern Uncredited1943 Crash Dive Shore Police Uncredited1946 That Brennan Girl Bergie Uncredited1947 Hit Parade of 1947 Bandleader in Rehearsal Room Uncredited1949 The Life of Riley Conway's Voice on Radio Show Voice, Uncredited1949 The Lady Gambles Jack Harrison - Hotel Clerk 1949 D.O.A. Leo - Bartender Uncredited1950 Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town Tall Beautician Uncredited1950 South Sea Sinner Second Policeman Uncredited1950 Saddle Tramp Springer 1950 Dial 1119 Martin, Wounded Policeman Uncredited1951 Up Front Pinanski Uncredited1951 Katie Did It 'Odds' Burton 1951 Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm Manson 1951 The Frogmen Pharmacist's Mate Uncredited1952 My Man and I Man with Nancy at Bar Uncredited1952 Come Back, Little Sheba Milkman Uncredited1953 Never Wave at a WAC Nick Laharis Uncredited1953 Stalag 17 Barracks #1 Prisoner of War Getting Distillery Uncredited1953 99 River Street Nat Finley 1954 The Long, Long Trailer Garage Manager Uncredited1954 Playgirl Sharpie Uncredited1954 Brigadoon Peter - Headwaiter Uncredited1954 The Adventures of Hajji Baba Merchant Uncredited1954 Athena Photographer Uncredited1954 The Last Time I Saw Paris Barney 1954 The Atomic Kid Agent Bill 1955 Six Bridges to Cross Harris Uncredited1955 Hit the Deck Lieutenant - Operation Mud Pie Uncredited1955 Tight Spot Fred Packer 1955 Interrupted Melody Dr. Ed Ryson 1955 Love Me or Leave Me Fred Taylor 1955 It's Always Fair Weather Mr. Trasker Uncredited1955 Bobby Ware Is Missing Mackey of F.B.I. 1955 I'll Cry Tomorrow Richard 1955 Willy Jerry Burke Episode: "Franklin's Shoe Business"1956 It's Always Jan Newspaper reporter Episode: "Guilty Conscience"1956 The Price of Fear Mitchell Uncredited1956 The Harder They Fall Dundee Fight Ring Announcer Uncredited1956 Behind the High Wall First Detective 1956 Tea and Sympathy Headmaster at Bonfire Uncredited1956 The Best Things in Life Are Free Genius Uncredited1956 The Great American Pastime Motor Cop Uncredited1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Custodial Officer Charlie Season 2 Episode 21: "Number Twenty-Two"1957 Mr. Adams and Eve Driver Episode: "Howard Goes to Jail"1957 Slander Herb Goodman Uncredited1957 Official Detective Patterson Episode: "The Deserted House"1957 Bombers B-52 TV Quiz Show Director Uncredited1957 Kiss Them for Me Reporter in Nightclub Uncredited1958 The Brothers Karamazov Guard Uncredited1959 Perry Mason Lou Caporale Season 3 Episode 9: "The Case of the Artful Dodger"1959 The Scarface Mob Lamarr Kane TV movie1958-1959 Trackdown Tenner Smith recurring role, 15 episodes1959 High School Big Shot Mr. Carter 1959 The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock Bill Burton 1959Leave It To BeaverTheater ManagerSeason 3 Episode 4: "Beaver's Prize"1959 The Devil's Disciple Narrator Uncredited1959 The Big Operator Henland Uncredited1959 Girls Town Michael Clyde 1959 The Rookie Seville Quare 1960 Please Don't Eat the Daisies Mackay's Secretary Uncredited1960 The Facts of Life Thompson - the Dry Cleaner 1961 The Tab Hunter Show Gordon Harris Episode: "Personal Appearance"1961 The Investigators Walter Keeler Episode: "Death Leaves a Tip"1961 The Dick Van Dyke Show Policeman Episode: "Harrison B Harding of Camp Crowder Mo" S1 E61963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Andrew Season 2 Episode 1: "A Home Away from Home"1963 The Wheeler Dealers Arthur Watkins 1964 The Addams Family Oscar Webber "Morticia Joins the Ladies League"1965 I'll Take Sweden Car Salesman Uncredited1965 Harlow Parker 1966 I Dream of Jeannie Big Charlie "My Master, the Doctor", Season 1, Episode 20,1966 The Oscar Bert 1966 The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show Actor 1967 Rango Raven Episode "What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing Holding Up a Place Like This?"1967 8 on the Lam Marty 1968 With Six You Get Eggroll Police Officer Joelson Uncredited1972-1974 Adam-12 George Porter / Dennis Baker 2 episodes1972 Mission Impossible John Larson Episode: "The Deal"1974 The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat Juan / Various Characters Voice1987 Dragnet Roy Grest
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