Val Avery

Val Avery
Val Avery in the TV-series Bonanza, episode "Breed of Violence", 1960
Born Sebouh Der Abrahamian
(1924-07-14)July 14, 1924
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died December 12, 2009(2009-12-12) (aged 85)
Greenwich Village, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1953–2004
Spouse(s)
Margot Stevenson
(m. 1953; his death 2009)
Children Margot Avery

Sebouh Der Abrahamian (July 14, 1924 – December 12, 2009), known professionally as Val Avery, was an American character actor who appeared in hundreds of movies and television shows. In a career that spanned 50 years, Avery appeared in over 100 films and had appearances in over 300 television episodes.[1]

Early life

Avery was born in Philadelphia to Armenian parents Megerdich and Arousiag Der Abrahamian. His father was from Sebastia and moved to America in 1907. During the Armenian Genocide, his grandfather Bedros Der Abrahamian, a priest at the Church of the Holy Mother of God in Sebastia, was murdered.[1] In his early years he acted in plays with the Armenian Youth Federation. Following his service in World War II, he attended the Bessie V. Hicks School of Drama in Philadelphia.[2]

Acting career

Avery was frequently cast as a heavy or a low-class type.

Avery's TV roles include the Columbo episodes A Friend in Deed (1974), Dead Weight (1971), The Most Crucial Game (1972) and Identity Crisis (1975). Other TV appearances include The Untouchables, The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, The Asphalt Jungle, Mission Impossible, Daniel Boone, The Twilight Zone, The Munsters, Mannix, The Odd Couple, Kojak, Quincy, M.E., Law & Order, and Friday the 13th: The Series.

Some motion pictures Avery appeared in are the John Cassavetes films, Too Late Blues (1961), Faces (1968), Minnie and Moskowitz (1971), The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) and Gloria (1980). His many film credits also included the following movies:

Personal life

Val Avery and actress Margot Stevenson were married from 1953 until his death. Their daughter, Margot Avery, is also an actress.[1]

Death

Avery died on December 12, 2009 at age 85 in his Greenwich Village home.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Val Avery Remembered As Actor Personified". Asbarez. January 15, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Grimes, William (December 15, 2009). "Val Avery, Tough-Guy Actor in Movies, Is Dead at 85". nytimes.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved December 15, 2009.


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