Bob Sweeney (actor and director)

Bob Sweeney
Sweeney with Hal March (right) in 1946.
Born (1918-10-19)October 19, 1918
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died June 7, 1992(1992-06-07) (aged 73)
Westlake Village, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor, director and producer
Years active 1944–1992
Spouse(s) Bev Sweeney (?1992)
Children Bridget

Bob Sweeney (October 19, 1918 June 7, 1992) was an actor, director and producer of radio, television and film.

Early career on radio and television

Bob Sweeney was a graduate of Balboa High School (San Francisco) and San Francisco State College. He began his career on radio as an announcer and then comedian. From 1944 through 1948 he teamed with comedy partner Hal March in the successful "Sweeney and March Show" for CBS Radio. He went on to appear as a supporting character in various sitcoms in the early days of television including the role of Gilmore Cobb in the television version of "My Favorite Husband" (1953–54) with co-stars Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson. Sweeney made appearances on The Rifleman also in Our Miss Brooks during its last two seasons of production (1955–1956) working alongside Eve Arden, Gale Gordon and Richard Crenna.

From 1956-1957 Sweeney starred in the TV sitcom The Brothers with co-star Gale Gordon (later of The Lucy Show). In 1959, he landed the lead role on the short-lived NBC television series Fibber McGee and Molly opposite Cathy Lewis. Unlike the wildly popular radio version of the show that featured Jim Jordan and Marian Jordan in the title roles, Fibber McGee failed on television and was cancelled after less than one season. That same year, Sweeney directed the 18-week NBC sitcom Love and Marriage set in Tin Pan Alley of New York City. His co-stars were William Demarest, Stubby Kaye, Jeanne Bal, and Murray Hamilton.

Movie roles

Sweeney's most notable film credits as an actor include the role of the undertaker in John Ford's The Last Hurrah (1958), as bad guy Harry Tupper in the Disney children's movie, Toby Tyler (1960), and as Mr. Harker in another Disney film, Son of Flubber (1963). Bob Sweeney also appeared as Cousin Bob in Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964).

Directing and producing

Sweeney is best known for his successes as a television director and producer, most notably as the director of the first three seasons of The Andy Griffith Show and as producer and/or director of episodes of several other highly successful TV series including Hawaii Five-O, That Girl, The Love Boat, Matlock, Hogan's Heroes, and Dynasty. He also directed Gene Evans's unsuccessful 1976 CBS adventure series, Spencer's Pilots. Although Bob Sweeney never won an Emmy Award he was nominated on three occasions, twice for Hawaii Five-O (1971 and 1973) and once for The Love Boat (1983).

Personal details

He and his wife Bev had one child, a daughter, Bridget.

Death

Sweeney died of cancer in Westlake Village, California on June 7, 1992.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1952It Grows on TreesMcGuire
1953South Sea WomanDefense Lt. Miller
1954A Christmas CarolBob Cratchitt
1953Mister ScoutmasterMr. HackettUncredited
1958The Last HurrahJohnny Degnan
1960Toby TylerHarry Tupper
1961A Raisin in the SunInsurance Company AgentUncredited
1962Moon PilotSen. Henry McGuire
1963Son of FlubberMr. Harker
1964MarnieCousin Bob
1978The IrishmanNat Simpson
1990Book of LoveMr. Snow
1991Born to RideGus, Owner of Gus's Garage(final film role)
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