Walter Mathews (October 10, 1926 – April 28, 2012) was an American character actor whose credits included roles in television (including many commercials), film and theater, perhaps best known as the "pay me now or pay me later" Fram Oil Filter spokesperson.
Early life and career Mathews was born in New York City on October 10, 1926, and was raised in the Bronx. He earned a master's degree in drama from Ohio University.
Mathews made his Broadway debut in the 1956 production of King Lear, staged by and starring Orson Welles. The following year, he portrayed Gaius Trebonius in an off-Broadway revival of Julius Caesar, starring Sydney Walker, Robert Mandan, Ernest Graves, M'el Dowd, and Joseph Ruskin. In 1974, Mathews was a member of the original Broadway cast of Peter Shaffer's Equus.
On television, Mathews appeared in a series of commercials for Fram Oil Filters as the original fictional Fram mechanic who promised consumers, "You can pay me now or pay me later." In 1962 Matthews appeared as Mr. Harper on the TV western The Virginian in the episode titled "The Brazen Bell." Mathews also had recurring roles in the Another World and General Hospital soap operas. His additional television credits included Ripcord, Emergency!, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Murder, She Wrote, Perry Mason, Mannix, Charlie's Angels, Adam-12, Quincy, M.E., Mission: Impossible, Starsky & Hutch, Alice, Medical Center and The FBI.
His film credits included roles in The Naked Kiss (1964),Walter Mathews filmography. American Film Institute. Retrieved February 7, 2026. The Lawyer (1970), Beyond Reason (1977), Nighthawks (1981), and Cannery Row (1982).
Mathews made his last on-screen appearance in 1986.
Personal life and death Having performed onstage with her at least as early as 1953,Davis, Dick (July 15, 1953). "Each Rochester Cast a Hit in 'Mr. Roberts'". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. p. 8. Retrieved February 7, 2026. "Other character parts which brought audience enthusiasm were those of the ship's doctor, played by Frederick Downs, Dolan the yeoman, played by Kenneth Bowles, and Sam Insignia, played by Walter Mathews. [...] Other high points in the course of the production: Beverly Bruce, the only girl in the cast, stamping off the stage indignantly after she learns the ship's crew have been focusing telescopes on the shower-room window of her nurses' quarters." Mathews married actress-model—and aspiring singer"She Wants to Sing". Buffalo Courier Express.—Beverly Bruce (née Beverly Jane Schafer) no later than 1955."H.C. Prange Co. presents 'the look you love' by Kay Windsor; Windsor Wonderland Fashion Show; [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press/190696663/ Meet Beverly Bruce". The Sheboygan Press. January 10, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved February 7, 2026. "Miss Bruce is a very versatile young woman. Her background as a model and television actress gives her a complete knowledge of the new and interesting things in the fashion field. You'll enjoy hearing her comments on the new Kay Windsor cottons for '55.""Heirloom Recipes: New York Girl Provides Quick Plan for Wieners". The Columbus Register. May 2, 1955. p. 6. Retrieved February 7, 2026. "Miss Beverly Bruce, the New York girl who last week commentated the Kay Windsor show, loves to keep house for her husband and herself. 'We have an apartment, a cold water flat,' she said, 'in Greenwich Village. We've made our own furniture-and it's attractive and we've done our own decorating. We do our own cooking, naturally.'"Evelanne (March 1, 1973). "Desert Vignettes". The Desert Sun. p. A9. Retrieved February 7, 2026. "Guests of Bernice Schafer at the same luncheon were Bea Gray, Merril, Beryl McMahon and Muriel Reisner. Bernice's daughter, Beverly Bruce (professional name) is noted for TV commercials, including "Head and Shoulders,' and Beverly's husband, Walter Mathews, for his performances in the TV soap-opera, 'Another World,' as Gerlad Davis. Asked if her daughter was doing commercials now, Bernice answered, 'No, her four children keep her too busy!'" They had four children, two sons and two daughters.Dullea, Georgia (N. Y. Times News Service). "Tightwads: Family bargains for good life in status town". The Plain Dealer. March 21, 1976. Sec. 4, p. 19. Retrieved February 7, 2026. "The Matthews family – Timothy, Lauren, Walter, Karen, William and Beverly – relax on second-hand furniture. [...] Unlike some fathers here, 49-year-old Mathews is an actor, not a corporate tycoon. He was clearing about $300 a week not long ago, when he quit the Broadway cast of 'Equus' to make more commercials and hence more money. His biggest job to date has been the Fram Oil Filter spots, in which he rolls his eyes and says, 'You can pay me now or pay me later.'"
On April 28, 2012, at the age of 85, Mathews died of natural causes in Mountain Center, California, survived by his four children and five grandchildren.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1959 Middle of the Night Mickey Hilliard Uncredited1964 The Naked Kiss Mike 1964 Where Love Has Gone Reporter Uncredited1966 Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number! Stagehand, Movie Set Uncredited1966 Not with My Wife, You Don't! Television Producer Uncredited1967 A Covenant with Death Appraiser Uncredited1970 The Lawyer Mr. Andre 1981 Nighthawks Commissioner 1982 Cannery Row Sonny 1984 Racing with the Moon Sailor Voice1985 Beyond Reason Al 1986 The Check Is in the Mail... Water & Power man #1 1986 Mission Kill Foreman
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