Leon Ames
Leon Ames | |
---|---|
as Kyle Sackett from the trailer for the film The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) | |
Born |
Harry Wycoff January 20, 1902 Portland, Indiana, U.S. |
Died |
October 12, 1993 91) Laguna Beach, California, U.S. | (aged
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
- Quick Millions (1931) as Hood (as Leon Waycoff)
- Cannonball Express (1932) as Jack Logan (as Leon Waycoff)
- Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) as Pierre Dupin (as Leon Waycoff)
- Stowaway (1932) as Tommy (as Leon Waycoff)
- State's Attorney (1932) as First Trial Prosecutor (uncredited)
- The Famous Ferguson Case (1932) as Judd Brooks (as Leon Waycoff)
- Thirteen Women (1932) (scenes cut)
- A Successful Calamity (1932) as Barney Davis - Witon's Junior Associate (as Leon Waycoff)
- That's My Boy (1932) as Al Williams (as Leon Waycoff)
- Uptown New York (1932) as Max Silver (as Leon Waycoff)
- Silver Dollar (1932) as Yates' Secretary (uncredited)
- Parachute Jumper (1933) as Pilot with Alabama (uncredited)
- Forgotten (1933) as Louie Strauss (as Leon Waycoff)
- Alimony Madness (1933) as John Thurman (as Leon Waycoff)
- The Man Who Dared (1933) as (as Leon Waycoff)
- Ship of Wanted Men (1933) as Capt. John Holden (as Leon Waycoff)
- Only Yesterday (1933) as Lee (uncredited)
- The Crosby Case (1934) as Clifford Mulford (uncredited)
- I'll Tell the World (1934) as Spud Marshall (as Leon Waycoff)
- Now I'll Tell (1934) as Max (as Leon Waycoff)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (1934) as Beauchamp (uncredited)
- Mutiny Ahead (1935) as McMurtrie
- Rescue Squad (1935) as Lester Vaughn (as Leon Waycoff)
- Reckless (1935) as Ralph Watson (as Leon Waycoff)
- Strangers All (1935) as Frank Walker
- Get That Man (1935) as Don Clayton / McDonald (as Leon Waycoff)
- Death in the Air (1936) as Carl Goering
- Song of Revolt (1937 short) as Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
- Soak the Poor (1937 short) as Special Investigator Stanton
- Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) as Buzz Moran
- Dangerously Yours (1937) as Phil
- Murder in Greenwich Village (1937) as Rodney Hunter
- 45 Fathers (1937) as Vincent
- The Spy Ring (1938) as Frank Denton
- International Settlement (1938) as Monte Silvers
- Walking Down Broadway (1938) as Frank Gatty
- Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) as Ex-Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Island in the Sky (1938) as Marty Butler
- Come On, Leathernecks! (1938) as Otto Wagner / Baroni
- Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938) as Paul Brissac
- Suez (1938) as Napoleon III - Emperor of France
- Cipher Bureau (1938) as Maj. Philip Waring
- Strange Faces (1938) as Joe Gurney
- Secrets of a Nurse (1938) as Joe Largo
- Mr. Sheldon Goes to Town (1939 short) as Salesman
- Risky Business (1939) as Hinge Jackson
- Blackwell's Island (1939) as County Prosceutor Ballinger (uncredited)
- I Was a Convict (1939) as Jackson
- Panama Patrol (1939) as Maj. Phillip Waring
- Mr. Moto in Danger Island (1939) as Commissioner Madero
- Code of the Streets (1939) as "Chick" Foster
- Man of Conquest (1939) as John Hoskins
- Help Wanted (1939 short) as J. T. Evans - Labor Commissioner (uncredited)
- Fugitive at Large (1939) as Carter
- Thunder Afloat (1939) as Recruiting Officer (uncredited)
- Calling All Marines (1939) as Murdock
- Pack Up Your Troubles (1939) as Adjutant
- Marshal of Mesa City (1939) as Sheriff Jud Cronin
- Legion of Lost Flyers (1939) as Smythe
- East Side Kids (1940) as Pat O'Day
- No Greater Sin (1941) as Dr. Edward Cavanaugh
- Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring (1941) as John Stack
- Crime Doctor (1943) as William Wheeler
- The Iron Major (1943) as Robert 'Bob' Stewart
- Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) as Lieut. Jurika
- The Thin Man Goes Home (1945) as Edgar Draque
- Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) as Mr. Alonzo Smith
- Between Two Women (1945) as Mr. Masters (uncredited)
- Fall Guy (1945 short) as Floyd Parkson
- Son of Lassie (1945) as Anton
- Anchors Aweigh (1945) as Admiral's Aide
- Week-End at the Waldorf (1945) as Henry Burton
- Yolanda and the Thief (1945) as Mr. Candle
- They Were Expendable (1945) as Major James Morton
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) as Kyle Sackett
- No Leave, No Love (1946) as Colonel Elliott
- The Cockeyed Miracle (1946) as Ralph Humphrey
- The Show-Off (1946) as Frank Harlin
- The Great Morgan (1946) as K.F. Studio Exec
- Lady in the Lake (1947) as Derace Kingsby
- Undercover Maisie (1947) as Amor aka Willis Farnes
- Song of the Thin Man (1947) as Mitchell Talbin
- The Amazing Mr. Nordill (1947 short) as Everett Nordill, aka Everton
- Merton of the Movies (1947) as Lawrence Rupert
- Alias a Gentleman (1948) as Matt Enley
- On an Island with You (1948) as Commander Harrison
- The Velvet Touch (1948) as Gordon Dunning
- A Date with Judy (1948) as Lucien T. Pringle
- Little Women (1949) as Mr. March
- Any Number Can Play (1949) as Dr. Palmer
- Scene of the Crime (1949) as Capt. A.C. Forster
- Battleground (1949) as The Chaplain
- Ambush (1950) as Maj. C.E. Breverly
- The Big Hangover (1950) as Carl Bellcap
- The Skipper Surprised His Wife (1950) as Dr. Philip Abbott
- Crisis (1950) as Sam Proctor
- The Happy Years (1950) as Samuel H. Stover - Sr.
- Dial 1119 (1950) as Earl
- Watch the Birdie (1950) as Grantland D. Farns
- On Moonlight Bay (1951) as George Winfield
- Cattle Drive (1951) as Chester Graham Sr.
- It's a Big Country (1951) as Secret Service Man
- Angel Face (1952) as Fred Barrett
- By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) as George Winfield
- Let's Do It Again (1953) as Chet Stuart
- Sabre Jet (1953) as Lt. Col. George Eckert
- Engagement Party (1956 short) as Elliott Winston
- Peyton Place (1957) as Mr. Harrington
- From the Terrace (1960) as Samuel Eaton
- Maggie (1960 TV movie) as Mark Bradley
- The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) as President Rufus Daggett
- Son of Flubber (1963) as President Rufus Daggett
- The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964) as Judge Holmsby / Lex Fortas
- The Monkey's Uncle (1965) as Judge Holmsby
- On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970) as Burt Clews
- Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) as Frank Knox
- Toklat (1971) as Old Man / Narrator
- Hammersmith Is Out (1972) as General Sam Pembroke
- Brother of the Wind (1973) as Narrator (voice)
- The Meal (1975) as Bernard Wallace Kroger
- Timber Tramps (1975) as Deacon
- Sherlock Holmes in New York (1976 TV movie) as Daniel Furman
- Claws (1977) as Ben Jones, Forest Commissioner
- The Best Place to Be (1979 TV movie) as William Callahan
- Just You and Me, Kid (1979) as Manduke the Magnificent
- Testament (1983) as Henry Abhart
- Jake Speed (1986) as Pop Winston
- Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) as Barney Alvorg (final film role)
Partial television credits
- Life with Father (1953-1955) as Clarence Day, Sr.
- Westinghouse Studio One (1958), episode "Tongue of Angels" as Cyrus Walker
- Father of the Bride (1961-1962) as Stanley Banks
- The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1970), episode "Wedding Day?????" as Bradford Williams
- Mister Ed (1963-1965) as Gordon Kirkwood
References
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- 1 2 Cameron-Wilson, James; Speed, F. Maurice (1994), Film Review 1994-5, Great Britain: Virgin Books, p. 162, ISBN 0-86369-842-5
- ↑ "The Monthly Supplement: a current biographical reference service". A.N.Marquis Company. 5 February 2018 – via Google Books.
- ↑ "Name Change Causes Inquiry". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. February 21, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Leon Ames". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ↑ Lesser, Jerry (January 17, 1942). "Radio Talent: New York". Billboard. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- 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.
- ↑ Gray, M (March 3, 1962). "Father of Bride Dominant Figure". Simpson's Leader-Times. p. 10. Retrieved September 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Rieder, Ron (February 13, 1964). "Kidnap, Free Mrs. Leon Ames". The Van Nuys News. pp. 1, 18. Retrieved September 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Willis, John (1996). Theatre World 1993-1994. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 238. ISBN 9781557832368. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ↑ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. pp. 79–80. ISBN 9780786450190. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ↑ "("Leon Ames" search results)". Screen Actors Guild Award. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
External links
- Leon Ames on IMDb
- Leon Ames at AllMovie
- Leon Ames at the TCM Movie Database
- Leon Ames at the Internet Broadway Database
Awards and achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Katharine Hepburn |
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award 1980 |
Succeeded by Danny Kaye |