Phil Leeds
Leeds in Ghost
BornApril 6, 1916
New York City, United States
DiedAugust 16, 1998(1998-08-16) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, United States
OccupationActor
Years active1949–1998
SpouseToby Brandt (1934–1987; her death)

Phil Leeds (April 6, 1916 – August 16, 1998) was an American character actor.[1] He is best known for appearing in many movies and television series, including guest appearances in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Maude, Friends, Barney Miller, The Golden Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Boy Meets World and more.

Early life

Leeds was born on April 6, 1916, in New York City, the son of a post office clerk. Raised in the Bronx, he was a peanut vendor for some time near Yankee Stadium and Manhattan's Polo Grounds.[2] After serving in the US Army in World War II, he started his entertainment career.

Career

He began his career as a standup comedian and then went on to appear in several films and sitcoms, including Rosemary's Baby, Beaches, All in the Family, Three's Company, Night Court, Wings, Ally McBeal, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Larry Sanders Show in three episodes as Hank Kingsley's agent, Barney Miller in seven episodes including in one as a man who propositions Detective Fish, Car 54, Where Are You?, The Patty Duke Show, The Monkees, The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Friends, Roseanne as Leon's co-worker and lover, Mad About You, The Dick Van Dyke Show, as Buddy Sorrell's pool shark brother, The Golden Girls, and Double Rush. Other roles include appearing as a friendly spirit in the 1990 film Ghost, the episode "When I'm 64" of the TV series ALF as Jack, one of the residents of a retirement home.

At age 80, he appeared on the 1996 Halloween episode of Roseanne, "Satan, Darling", in which Roseanne finds herself drawn into a parody version of Rosemary's Baby (Leeds had played Dr. Shand in the original 1968 film). His final role was a brief scene in Lost & Found (1999).

Blacklist

Leeds was blacklisted during the McCarthy era after pleading the fifth when examined by the House Un-American Activities Committee.[3][4]

Personal life

Leeds was married to fellow character actress Toby Brandt for 53 years (1934–1987) until her death. Leeds was Jewish.[5]

Death

Leeds died of pneumonia on August 16, 1998, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles[1] at age 82. "Happy Trails," an episode of Ally McBeal, featured footage of his prior appearances on the show, eulogizing his character.

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "Phil Leeds, 82, Comic on Stage and Screen". The New York Times. August 21, 1998. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  2. ↑ "Phil Leeds Biography". FilmReference.com. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  3. ↑ Leszczak, Bob (6 August 2014). The Odd Couple on Stage and Screen: A History with Cast and Crew Profiles and an Episode Guide. McFarland. ISBN 9780786477906. Retrieved 31 December 2017 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Zhulin, Denis Larionov & Alexander. "Read the eBook Investigation of Communist activities in the New York City area. Hearings (Volume Pts. 6-8) by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Un-Am online for free (page 7 of 30)". Ebooksread.com. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Why ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ Was Really A Jewish Horror Movie." Abrams, Nathan. The Jewish Daily Forward www.forward.com Published April 12, 2018. Accessed August 20, 2021.
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