Bern Hoffman

Bern Hoffman
Publicity Photo of Bern Hoffman
Born
Benjamin Bernard Hoffman

(1913-02-17)February 17, 1913
Maryland, U.S.
DiedDecember 15, 1979(1979-12-15) (aged 66)
Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Alma materJohns Hopkins University
Occupation(s)Film, television and theatre actor
Years active1937–1976
SpouseDiana Hoffman[1]
Children2[1]

Benjamin Bernard Hoffman (February 17, 1913 – December 15, 1979) was an American film, television and theatre actor. He was perhaps best known for playing "Earthquake McGoon" in Li'l Abner, both in the Broadway play and in the 1959 film.[2][3]

Life and career

Hoffman was born in Maryland,[4] the son of Rose Hoffman.[5] He had a brother and a sister.[5] Hoffman attended Johns Hopkins University, where he studied medicine,[1] and also attended Loyola College,[5] where he studied explosives engineering. Hoffman left college to help out and support his family.[1]

Hoffman began his career in 1937, when he appeared in two films, Meet the Missus and Forty Naughty Girls, playing the uncredited role of the "Orchestra Leader" in both films. Hoffman made his theatre debut in 1944, appearing in the Broadway play titled Catherine Was Great.[1] He also played the role of "Joey Biltmore" in Guys and Dolls, during its first production.[1] Hoffman later played the role of "Pawnee Bill" in the Broadway play Annie Get Your Gun.[1]

Hoffman later moved to North Hollywood, California with his family. He played the role of "Earthquake McGoon" in the film version of the Broadway play Li'l Abner.[1] Hoffman’s film and television credits include, On The Town, Tombstone Territory, The Man Who Understood Women, Ironside,[1] Death Valley Days, The Phil Silvers Show, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Rawhide, The Outfit and The Streets of San Francisco.[1] He played Marcus in "The Jarbo Pierce Story" S8 E26 of "Wagon Train", 1965.

Death

Hoffman died in December 1979 at the Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 66.[1] He was buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.[1]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Rawhide Vetch S3:E28, "Incident of the Blackstorms"

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Veteran Character Actor Bern Hoffman Dies at 66". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. December 17, 1979. p. 35. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ "Broadway's Best Bad Guy". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Lancaster, Ohio. November 13, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  3. ^ Crowther, Bosley (December 12, 1959). "The Screen: 'Li'l Abner'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  4. ^ Kotar, S. L.; Gessler, J. E. (December 2009). Riverboat: The Evolution of a Television Series, 1959-1961. BearManor Media. p. 102. ISBN 9781593935054 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b c Zeitlin, Arnold (January 20, 1957). "Presenting a Good Man At His Worst". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. p. 185. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon