Leon Ames

Leon Ames
as Kyle Sackett from the trailer for the film
The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Born Harry Wycoff
(1902-01-20)January 20, 1902
Portland, Indiana, U.S.
Died October 12, 1993(1993-10-12) (aged 91)
Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Other names Leon Waycoff
Occupation Actor
Years active 1931–1986
Spouse(s)
Christine Gossett
(m. 1938)
Children 2

Leon Ames (January 20, 1902 – October 12, 1993) was an American film and television actor. He is best remembered for playing father figures in such films as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) with Judy Garland as one of his daughters, Little Women (1949), On Moonlight Bay (1951), and By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953). The fathers whom Ames portrayed were often somewhat stuffy and exasperated by the younger generation, but ultimately kind and understanding. His most famous role came as DA Kyle Sackett from the film The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946).

Early years

Leon Ames was born Harry Wycoff[1][2] on January 20, 1902, in Portland, Indiana, son of Charles Elmer Wycoff and his wife Cora A. De Moss.[3] Some sources list his original last name as "Wykoff" or "Waycoff", and in his early films, he acted under the name Leon Waycoff. In 1935, Ames explained that he changed his name because Waycoff was often misspelled and mispronounced. Ames was his mother's maiden name.[4]

He attended Indiana University at Bloomington, and he served in World War I, first in field artillery and later in the flying corps.[5]

Stage

Ames' involvement with entertainment began when he worked as stage manager for the Charles K. Champlin Theatre Company. He ventured into acting with the group and progressed to having the lead in a production of Tomorrow and Tomorrow in Los Angeles.[6] He acted for three years with the Stuart Walker Stock Company in Cincinnati, Ohio.[5]

He debuted on Broadway in It Pays to Sin (1933). His other Broadway credits include Howie (1958), Winesburg, Ohio, (1958), Slightly Married (1943), The Russian People (1942), Little Darling (1942), Guest in the House (1942), The Land Is Bright (1941), The Male Animal (1940), Thirsty Soil (1937), A House in the Country (1937), and Bright Honor (1936).[7]

Film

Ames made his film debut in Quick Millions (1931). During the 1940s, he was under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He played the important role of Mr. Smith in 1944's massive hit and subsequent classic Meet Me in St. Louis.

Ames appeared in a featured role in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) as district attorney Kyle Sackett. He also appeared in the Doris Day-Gordon MacRae film On Moonlight Bay, its sequel, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, and Peyton Place (1957). He played the role of Samuel Eaton, Alfred Eaton's (Paul Newman) father, in From the Terrace (1960). He appeared in the 1961 Walt Disney comedy The Absent-Minded Professor as Medfield College President Rufus Daggett and in the 1963 sequel, Son of Flubber. In 1970, he played Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox in the action war film Tora! Tora! Tora! His last film role was in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), as Kathleen Turner's character's grandfather Barney Alvorg.

Radio and television

Ames made his debut radio broadcast in January 1947 on Grand Central Station.[8]

His television roles included leads in the adaptations of Life With Father (1953–55)[9]:604 and Father of the Bride (1961–62).[9]:336-337 His presence in the latter program was such that, after the show had been on the air a few months, Ames' role was increased because "'father," as played by veteran character actor Leon Ames became the dominant figure in the whole show."[10]

Ames had the title role of judge John Cooper in the syndicated series Frontier Judge[9]:370 and played Howard McMahon in Bewitched.[9]

He joined the cast of Mister Ed (1963–66) as Wilbur Post's neighbor, retired Colonel Gordon Kirkwood,[9]:701 after the death of actor Larry Keating, who had played Post's original neighbor Roger Addison. Ames also appeared in episodes of the NBC anthology series, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, and on the short-lived CBS legal drama, Storefront Lawyers.

Other professional activities

Ames was one of the founders of the Screen Actors Guild in 1933.[2] He served as its president in 1957.

Personal life

In 1938, Ames wed actress Christine Gossett. The couple had a daughter, Shelley (b. 1940), and a son, Leon (b. 1943). Christine gave up acting to raise their family. They were married until his death in 1993.[11]

Kidnapping

On February 12, 1964, Ames and his wife were held hostage in their home as an intruder demanded $50,000 before he would free them. Ames called his business partner, who obtained the money from a bank and delivered it to the house as instructed. After inspecting the cash, the kidnapper left Ames in the house, bound with tape, and instructed Mrs. Ames to drive him in the couple's car. He also forced both the business partner and a guest in the Ames house into the trunk. Eventually, police (who had been alerted by the partner while he was picking up the money) surrounded the car and freed the hostages.[12]

Death

On October 12, 1993, Ames died in Laguna Beach, California, of complications after suffering a stroke. He was 91.[13] He was buried at the Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.[14]

Recognition

In 1980, after 50 years in show business, Leon Ames was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.[15]

Complete filmography

Partial television credits

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  2. 1 2 Cameron-Wilson, James; Speed, F. Maurice (1994), Film Review 1994-5, Great Britain: Virgin Books, p. 162, ISBN 0-86369-842-5
  3. ↑ "The Monthly Supplement: a current biographical reference service". A.N.Marquis Company. 5 February 2018 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Name Change Causes Inquiry". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. February 21, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Leon Waycoff, Former Kokomo Boy, Real Star In Tomorrow and Tomorrow". The Kokomo Tribune. Indiana, Kokomo. July 25, 1931. p. 3. Retrieved February 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Monush, Barry (2003). Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 11–12. ISBN 9781557835512. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  7. ↑ "Leon Ames". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Lesser, Jerry (January 17, 1942). "Radio Talent: New York". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  10. ↑ Gray, M (March 3, 1962). "Father of Bride Dominant Figure". Simpson's Leader-Times. p. 10. Retrieved September 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Lentz, Harris M. III (2006). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2005: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 8. ISBN 9780786452101. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  12. ↑ Rieder, Ron (February 13, 1964). "Kidnap, Free Mrs. Leon Ames". The Van Nuys News. pp. 1, 18. Retrieved September 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Willis, John (1996). Theatre World 1993-1994. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 238. ISBN 9781557832368. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  14. ↑ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. pp. 79–80. ISBN 9780786450190. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  15. ↑ "("Leon Ames" search results)". Screen Actors Guild Award. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Katharine Hepburn		 Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
1980		 Succeeded by
Danny Kaye
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