Person
Charles Lane
Acting · 1905–2007 · San Francisco, California, USA
Biography
Charles Lane (born Charles Gerstle Levison; January 26, 1905 – July 9, 2007) was an American character actor and centenarian whose career spanned 77 years. Lane gave his last performance at the age of 101 as a narrator in 2006. Lane appeared in many Frank Capra films, including You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Riding High (1950). He was a favored supporting actor of Lucille Ball, who often used him as a no-nonsense authority figure and comedic foe of her scatterbrained TV character on her TV series I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour and The Lucy Show. His first film of more than 250 was as a hotel clerk in Smart Money (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Known for
Perry Mason
Dr. Williams
Maverick
Proprietor
The Andy Griffith Show
Mr. Frisby
Get Smart
Uncle Abner
The Twilight Zone
Mr. Peckinpaugh
Little House on the Prairie
1974
Bewitched
Mr. Cushman
St. Elsewhere
Richard Welte
The Wild Wild West
Roger Creed
Mister Ed
1961
Filmography
- 2006LegendsRoy (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2005The History of HootervilleSelf
- 2003TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV
- 1995The Computer Wore Tennis ShoesRegent Yarborough
- 1994A Bewitched ChristmasJesse Mortimer
- 1993Acting on ImpulseBellhop
- 1991Dark ShadowsAntique Dealer
- 1990Shannon's Deal
- 1987Date with an AngelFather O'Shea
- 1986When the Bough BreaksVan der Graaf
- 1986L.A. LawWalter Graf
- 1985Murphy's RomanceAmos Abbott
- 1985The Comedy FactoryGeorge McCloskey
- 1985OtherworldVelcrows Widley
- 1984HunterMotel Owner
- 1983Sunset LimousineReinhammer
- 1983Strange InvadersProf. Hollister
- 1983The Winds of WarWilliam Standley
- 1982St. ElsewhereRichard Welte
- 1982The Devlin Connection
- 1981Strange BehaviorDonovan
- 1981The Return of the Beverly HillbilliesChief
- 1980The Little DragonsJ.J.
- 1978Movie MovieJudge / Mr. Pennington
- 1978Mork & Mindy
- 1977Lou Grant
- 1977SoapJudge Petrillo
- 1977Weekend Special
- 1976SybilDr. Quinoness
- 1975One Day at a Time
- 1975Long Way Home
- 1975The Family Holvak
- 1975Karen
- 1974Chico and the Man
- 1974Little House on the Prairie
- 1974Rhoda
- 1973Adam's RibMayor
- 1973HitchedRound Tree
- 1972The Sandy Duncan Show
- 1972Maude
- 1972Temperatures RisingFulton Briggs
- 1972The Rookies
- 1972Get to Know Your RabbitMr. Beeman
- 1972The Great Man's WhiskersPhilbrick
- 1970The AristocatsLawyer (voice)
- 1970The Odd CoupleSid
- 1970Nanny and the Professor
- 1969My Dog, the ThiefMr. Pfeiffer
- 1969The Debbie Reynolds Show
- 1968The Doris Day ShowJudge Carter
- 1968What's So Bad About Feeling Good?Dr. Shapiro
- 1967Judd, for the Defense
- 1967The Flying Nun
- 1967He & SheMr. Simpson
- 1967The Gnome-MobileDr. Scoggins
- 1966Love on a Rooftop
- 1966The Pruitts of SouthamptonMaxwell
- 1966The Ugly DachshundJudge
- 1966The Ghost and Mr. ChickenWhitlow
- 1965BillieCoach Jones
- 1965Get SmartUncle Abner
- 1965The Wild Wild WestRoger Creed
- 1965Honey WestAsh
- 1965Green AcresMr. Wilson
- 1965F Troop
- 1965Please Don't Eat the DaisiesMan
- 1965John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!Editor
- 1964Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.Charlie
- 1964The Munsters
- 1964The Cara Williams Show
- 1964The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Ralph Harrison
- 1964BewitchedMr. Cushman
- 1964Wendy and Me
- 1964The Bing Crosby Show
- 1964Rendezvous in SpaceInterviewee
- 1964Looking for LoveDirector
- 1964Good Neighbor SamJack Bailey
- 1964The New InternsConnors
- 1964The CarpetbaggersEugene Denby
- 1963The Wheeler DealersJudge (uncredited)
- 1963It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldAirport Manager
- 1963Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler TheatreCharles Eckhardt
- 1963Petticoat JunctionHomer Bedloe
- 1963The Bill Dana Show
- 1963Burke's LawDr. Lusk
- 1963The Farmer's Daughter
- 1963Papa's Delicate ConditionMr. Cosgrove
- 1962The Lucy ShowMr. Barnsdahl
- 1962Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
- 1962The Beverly HillbilliesFoster Phinney
- 1962The Music ManConstable
- 1961The New Bob Cummings Show
- 1961The Wonderful World of Disney
- 1961Alcatraz Express
- 1961Mister Ed
- 1960Surfside 6
- 1960The Andy Griffith ShowMr. Frisby
- 1960Guestward, Ho!
- 1960Pete and Gladys
- 1960The Tab Hunter Show
- 1960The Comedy Spot
- 1959The UntouchablesAlcatraz Official (uncredited)
- 1959Dennis the Menace
- 1959The Twilight ZoneMr. Peckinpaugh
- 1959The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
- 1959The DuPont Show with June AllysonDr. Shelley
- 1959Fibber McGee & MollySalesman
- 1959But Not for MeAl Atwood
- 1959The 30 Foot Bride of Candy RockStandard Bates
- 1959The Mating GameInspector General Bigelow
- 195877 Sunset Strip
- 1958Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
- 1958The Ann Sothern Show
- 1958Lawman
- 1958The Donna Reed Show
- 1958Teacher's PetRoy
- 1957The Lucy–Desi Comedy HourClaims Clerk (uncredited)
- 1957The Real McCoys
- 1957The Restless GunMayor Peter Mercer
- 1957MaverickProprietor
- 1957Perry MasonDr. Williams
- 1957The Thin Man
- 1957Bachelor Father
- 1957God Is My PartnerJudge Warner
- 1957Richard Diamond, Private DetectiveLt. Kevin Anders (uncredited)
- 1957Whirlybirds
- 1956The Gale Storm ShowPierce
- 1956On Trial
- 1956The Birds and the BeesCharlie Jenkins
- 1955The People's Choice
- 1955Screen Director's Playhouse
- 1955Star Stage
- 1955The MillionaireSimon Whipple
- 1954The Wonderful World of DisneyMr. Pfeiffer
- 1954Studio 57Henry
- 1954Willy
- 1954Dear PhoebeMr. Fosdick
- 1953TopperMr. Kittler
- 1953The Affairs of Dobie GillisProf. Obispo
- 1953Remains to Be SeenDelapp
- 1953The JugglerRosenberg
- 1952The SniperLoud Drunk at Club
- 1952TodaySelf
- 1951I Love LucyMr. Stanley
- 1951Here Comes the GroomFBI Agent Ralph Burchard (uncredited)
- 1951Criminal LawyerFrederick Waterman
- 1951I Can Get It for You WholesaleHerman Pulvermacher (uncredited)
- 1950The Second FaceMr. Westcott
- 1950Lux Video TheatreWalter Medford
- 1950Riding HighErickson
- 1950The Yellow Cab ManL.A. Casualty Co. Executive (uncredited)
- 1950BackfireDr. Nolan (uncredited)
- 1949Miss Grant Takes RichmondMr. Woodruff (uncredited)
- 1949The House Across the StreetApartment Manager (uncredited)
- 1949You're My EverythingMr. Eddie Pflum
- 1949Mighty Joe YoungProducer (uncredited)
- 1948The Boy with Green Hair
- 1948MoonriseMr. Chandler
- 1948Apartment for PeggyProf. Collins (uncredited)
- 1948Out of the StormMr. Evans
- 1948Race StreetSwitchboard Operator Clerk (uncredited)
- 1948The Gentleman from NowhereFenmore
- 1948State of the UnionBlink Moran
- 1948Smart WomanReporter
- 1948Call Northside 777Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
- 1947IntrigueHotel Desk Clerk
- 1947LouisianaMcCormack
- 1947Roses Are RedLipton
- 1947Bury Me DeadBrighton
- 1947Living in a Big WayHawkins (uncredited)
- 1947It Happened on Fifth AvenueLandlord (uncredited)
- 1946It's a Wonderful LifeReal Estate Salesman
- 1946The Invisible InformerNick Steele
- 1946Mysterious IntruderDetective Burns
- 1946Just Before DawnDr. Steiner (uncredited)
- 1946A Close Call for Boston BlackieHack Hagen (uncredited)
- 1944Arsenic and Old LaceReporter at Marriage License Office
- 1943Mission to MoscowMan in Kitchenin Montage (uncredited)
- 1942Flying TigersRepkin (uncredited)
- 1942Pardon My SarongBus Company Superintendent (uncredited)
- 1942Friendly EnemiesBraun
- 1942Lady in a JamGovernment Man (uncredited)
- 1942Thru Different EyesMott
- 1942They All Kissed the BrideSpotter
- 1942The Mad MartindalesVirgil Hickling
- 1942BroadwayHungry Harry
- 1942Sunday PunchRingside spectator at Ole's first fight (uncredited)
- 1942Tarzan's New York AdventureSargent's Lawyer Gould Beaton
- 1942Home in Wyomin'Newspaper Editor
- 1942About FaceRental Car Manager
- 1942Obliging Young LadyPrivate Detective Smith
- 1942The Adventures of Martin EdenMr. White
- 1942What's Cookin'?K.D. Reynolds
- 1942Born to SingJohnny
- 1942The Lady Is WillingK.K. Miller
- 1942A Close Call for Ellery QueenCoroner
- 1942A Gentleman at HeartHolloway
- 1942Sealed LipsAttorney Emanuel 'Manny' T. Dixon
- 1941Ball of FireLarsen
- 1941Ride 'Em CowboyMartin Manning (uncredited)
- 1941Birth of the BluesWilbur - Bijou Theater Manager (uncredited)
- 1941I Wake Up ScreamingKeating- Florist
- 1941The Great Man's LadyPierce (uncredited)
- 1941New York TownCensus Taker (uncredited)
- 1941Appointment for LoveSmith (uncredited)
- 1941Three Girls About TownMortician
- 1941Buy Me That TownJ. Montague Gainsborough
- 1941Ellery Queen and the Perfect CrimeDr. Prouty (coroner)
- 1941The Big StoreFinance Company Man (uncredited)
- 1941Sis HopkinsMayor's aide
- 1941Barnacle BillAuctioneer
- 1941Repent at LeisureClarence Morgan
- 1941Ellery Queen's Penthouse MysteryDoc Prouty
- 1941You're the OneAnnouncer
- 1941Back StreetReporter for Associated News
- 1940The Invisible WomanGrowley
- 1940The Texas Rangers Ride AgainTrain Passenger (uncredited)
- 1940Ellery Queen, Master DetectiveDr. Prouty
- 1940Dancing on a DimeFreeman Taylor
- 1940Blondie Plays CupidTrain Conductor (uncredited)
- 1940City for ConquestAl - Dance Team Manager (uncredited)
- 1940The Leather PushersHenry 'Mitch' Mitchell
- 1940The Great ProfileDirector
- 1940Rhythm on the RiverBernard Schwartz
- 1940We Who Are YoungPerkins
- 1940Queen of the MobHorace Grimley
- 1940Buck Benny Rides AgainCharlie Graham
- 1940You Can't Fool Your WifeSalesman
- 1940On Their OwnJohnson
- 1940The Crooked RoadPhil Wesner, Defense Attorney
- 1940Edison, the ManSecond Lecturer
- 1940The Doctor Takes a WifeReporter (uncredited)
- 1940Johnny ApolloAssistant D.A.
- 1940It's a DateMr. Horner (uncredited)
- 1940Primrose PathMr. Smith (uncredited)
- 1939Charlie McCarthy, DetectiveCharlie's Doctor
- 1939The Cat and the CanaryReporter
- 1939Beware Spooks!Moore (uncredited)
- 1939Television SpyMr. Adler
- 1939Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonNosey
- 1939Honeymoon in BaliPhotographer (uncredited)
- 1939Fifth Avenue GirlUnion Representative (uncredited)
- 1939Golden BoyReporter Drake
- 1939Miracles for SaleFleetwood Apartments Desk Clerk
- 1939They All Come OutPsychiatrist
- 1939News Is Made at NightDistrict Attorney Rufe Reynolds
- 1939Second FiddleStudio Chief
- 1939Lucky NightCarpenter
- 1939Rose of Washington SquareSam Kress
- 1939Let Us LiveAuto Show Salesman (uncredited)
- 1939Inside StoryDistrict Attorney
- 1939Boy SlavesAlbee
- 1938KentuckyAuctioneer
- 1938BlondieFurniture Salesman (uncredited)
- 1938Always in TroubleDonald Gower
- 1938Three Loves Has NancyCleaning Store Manager (uncredited)
- 1938You Can't Take It with YouHenderson
- 1938Professor BewareJoe - Photographer
- 1938The Rage of ParisDepartment Head (uncredited)
- 1938Cocoanut GroveWeaver
- 1938Joy of LivingFan in Margaret's Dressing Room (Uncredited)
- 1937Nothing SacredRubenstein (uncredited)
- 1937Ali Baba Goes to TownDoctor
- 1937Danger – Love at WorkGilroy, an attorney
- 1937Hot WaterGrayson (uncredited)
- 1937Trapped by G-MenFingers
- 1937Bad GuyAttorney
- 1937One Mile from HeavenWebb
- 1937Born RecklessBarnes's lawyer
- 1937Big BusinessWebster - Bank Representative
- 1937Venus Makes TroubleDistrict Attorney
- 1937Internes Can't Take MoneyGrote
- 1937Sea DevilsJudge (uncredited)
- 1937We're on the JuryHorace Smith
- 1937Criminal LawyerAttorney (uncredited)
- 1936Easy to TakeSkip
- 1936Lady LuckFeinberg
- 1936Two-Fisted GentlemanJoe Gordon
- 193636 Hours to KillLawyer Rickert
- 1936Mr. Deeds Goes to TownHallor (uncredited)
- 1936The Milky WayWillard
- 1936The Adventures of Frank MerriwellMan in Front Row (archive footage)
- 1935Two for TonightWriter
- 1935Here Comes the BandMr. Scurry
- 1935Woman WantedDefense Attorney Herman (uncredited)
- 1935GingerJudge (uncredited)
- 1935The Florentine DaggerMan in Front Row (archive footage)
- 1935One More SpringRepresentative
- 1934The Band Plays OnShyster Lawyer
- 1934A Wicked WomanDefense Attorney Beardsley (uncredited)
- 1934Broadway BillMorgan's Henchman (uncredited)
- 1934I'll Fix ItAl Nathan
- 1934Let's Talk It OverReporter
- 1934Twenty Million SweetheartsReporter (uncredited)
- 1934Twentieth CenturyMax Jacobs
- 1934Looking for TroubleSwitchboard Operator
- 1934The Show-OffMr. Weitzenkorn
- 1933Mr. SkitchHotel Clerk
- 1933Advice to the Lovelorn
- 1933Broadway Thru a KeyholeColumnist #2
- 1933The BoweryDoctor (uncredited)
- 1933My WomanConn
- 1933She Had to Say YesMr. Bernstein (uncredited)
- 1933Private Detective 62Process Server (Uncredited)
- 1933Gold Diggers of 1933Society Reporter (uncredited)
- 1933Central AirportAmarillo Radio Operator (uncredited)
- 193342nd StreetAuthor of 'Pretty Lady' (uncredited)
- 1933Blondie JohnsonCashier (uncredited)
- 1933Grand SlamWaiter at Nicolai Restaurant
- 1933Employees' EntranceShoe Salesman (uncredited)
- 1932Blessed EventKane
- 1932The MouthpieceHotel Desk Clerk (Uncredited)
- 1932Union DepotLuggage Checkroom Clerk (uncredited)
- 1931Manhattan ParadeDesk clerk
- 1931Blonde CrazyHotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- 1931The Road to SingaporeDesk Clerk at Club (uncredited)
- 1931Smart MoneyHotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- 1930City GirlMan at Train Station (uncredited)
- 1925I Want My ManFrench Doctor
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