Booth Colman

Booth Colman
Colman in Man with a Camera (1959)
Born(1923-03-08)March 8, 1923
DiedDecember 15, 2014(2014-12-15) (aged 91)
Alma materUniversity of Washington
University of Michigan
OccupationActor
Years active1952–2008
Websiteboothcolman.com

Booth Colman (March 8, 1923 – December 15, 2014) was an American film, television and stage actor. In his later years he played older authority figures, such as doctors and lawyers. Colman appeared in films since 1952, when he debuted (uncredited) in The Big Sky directed by Howard Hawks.

Life and career

Colman was born in Portland, Oregon. As a child actor in local productions, he became active in local radio. He studied Oriental language at the University of Washington and University of Michigan. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army on May 12, 1943, and attended language training at the University of Michigan from 1943 to 1944.[1] After language training, he worked in New York City and was discharged from the army in 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.[2][3] While in New York, he began a long career in Broadway theater, first appearing in a production of Irwin Shaw's war drama The Assassin. He was soon invited to join Maurice Evans' acting company, where he continued to act on stage, and later in films.[4] His other Broadway credits include Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (1950), Tonight at 8:30 (1948), and Hamlet (1945).[5]

He appeared dozens of times on prime-time television dramas and comedies. In 1964, he appeared in two full episodes of Perry Mason, one as a doctor in police investigations and the other as a prosecuting attorney. Other televisions appearances include My Three Sons (1962), Frasier, Gilligan's Island, McCloud and The Monkees. Films include Them! (1954), The Silver Chalice (1954), Moonfleet (1955), My Gun Is Quick (1957), Wild on the Beach (1965), Maryjane (1968), The Lawyer (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Time Travelers (1976), Norma Rae (1979) and Intolerable Cruelty (2003). In 1983, he portrayed the kindly scientist, Professor Hector Jerrold, in the ABC daytime melodrama General Hospital.[6][7]

In 1974, Colman played the role of Dr. Zaius in the popular short-lived TV series, Planet of the Apes; the role made famous on the big screen by his former teacher, Maurice Evans. In the six episodes in which he appeared, he wore the original costume Evans used in Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes.[2]

Colman played Scrooge over 600 times on stage in A Christmas Carol at the Meadow Brook Theatre in the Detroit area.

Death

He died in his sleep in Los Angeles at the age of 91 on December 15, 2014.[4][8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Big Sky Pascal Uncredited
1953 Julius Caesar Citizen of Rome Uncredited
1953 Flight Nurse Australian Uncredited
1954 Secret of the Incas Juan Fernandez Uncredited
1954 Them! Reporter Uncredited
1954 Ring of Fear Psychiatrist Uncredited
1954 Living It Up Fernandez Uncredited
1954 The Adventures of Hajji Baba Akim Uncredited
1954 The Human Jungle Wallace
1954 The Silver Chalice Hiram
1955 Prince of Players Ghost of Buckingham Palace Uncredited
1955 The Prodigal Barber Uncredited
1955 Jump into Hell Legionnaire Uncredited
1955 Moonfleet Capt. Stanhope
1956 World Without End Mories
1956 Flight to Hong Kong Maxler
1957 My Gun Is Quick Det. Pat Chambers
1958 The Beast of Budapest Lt. Stefko
1958 The Case Against Brooklyn George - TV Interviewer Uncredited
1958 Tarawa Beachhead Sam Pelligram Uncredited
1958 Auntie Mame Alan - Party Guest Uncredited
1958 The Power of the Resurrection James
1959 The Man Who Understood Women Max Uncredited
1960 The Bramble Bush Dr. Peterford Uncredited
1960 Under Ten Flags
1961 Romanoff and Juliet Customs Officer
1961 The Comancheros Hotel Clerk Uncredited
1964 A Global Affair United Nations Delegate Uncredited
1964 Kisses for My President TV Producer Uncredited
1964 Fate Is the Hunter Technician with Seagull feather Uncredited
1964 Youngblood Hawke TV Interviewer Uncredited
1964 Raiders from Beneath the Sea Purdy
1965 Runaway Girl Angelo Guglietta
1965 Harlow Minister Uncredited
1965 Arizona Raiders Ohio Gazette Editor Uncredited
1965 Wild on the Beach Dean Parker
1968 Maryjane Maynard Parlow
1970 The Lawyer Judge Crawford
1970 The Great White Hope Citizens Committee Man Uncredited
1971 Scandalous John Governor Murray
1973 Time to Run Officer Harvey
1974 I Love You... Good-bye Professor Halton
1979 Norma Rae Dr. Watson
2000 Return to the Secret Garden Old Man
2001 The Man Who Wasn't There Judge #2
2003 Intolerable Cruelty Gutman Trial Judge

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1950 Somerset Maugham TV Theatre Episode: "The String of Beads"
1952–1954 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Napoleon 2 episodes
1953 Mr. and Mrs. North Reese Episode: "Seven Sacred Rubies"
1953 Ford Television Theatre Episode: "The Doctor's Downfall"
1953 The Revlon Mirror Theater Episode: "Equal Justice"
1953–1955 Cavalcade of America 4 episodes
1955 Lux Video Theatre Anatol France Episode: "The Life of Emile Zola"
1955 Climax! Episode: "Flight 951"
1955 Science Fiction Theatre Dr. McLeod Episode: "Dead Storage"
1956 Passport to Danger Episode: "Marseilles"
1956 The Adventures of Jim Bowie Jacques / Brissac / Lantanac 3 episodes
1956 Matinee Theatre Episode: "Savrola"
1956 Telephone Time Episode: "Fortunatus"
1956–1958 Broken Arrow Arthur Spruance / Wilkins 2 episodes
1957 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Art Roberts Episode: "The Texan Italian"
1957 The Gray Ghost Grady Episode: "The Missing Colonel"
1958 Dragnet Episode: "The Big Grifter"
1958 How to Marry a Millionaire Tompkins / Charlie 2 episodes
1958 The Silent Service Chief Torpedoman Swerdling Episode: "The Silversides Story"
1958 Rescue 8 Will Dorset / Dorton - Director Episode: "Calamity Coach"
1958 The Veil Edmond Valier Episode: "The Crystal Ball"
1958–1962 Death Valley Days Dr. Frank Shelton / Defense Attorney / Bob Stevenson 3 episodes
1959 Man with a Camera Idrees Lateef Episode: "The Last Portrait"
1959 Yancy Derringer Henry Duval Episode: "The Louisiana Dude"
1959 Behind Closed Doors Branko Episode: "The Meeting"
1959 The Californians Ralph Keel Episode: "The Fugitive"
1959 Zorro Pineda Episode: "An Affair of Honor"
1961 Cain's Hundred Doctor Episode: "Degrees of Guilt"
1961 The Rifleman Jeremiah Episode: "The High Country"
1961–1962 Thriller Lieutenant Bailey / Hotel Desk Clerk 2 episodes
1962 Adventures in Paradise Dr. Finney / Chitral 2 episodes
1962 Route 66 Dr. Snyder Episode: "Even Stones Have Eyes"
1962 King of Diamonds Robbins Episode: "Carla"
1962 I'm Dickens, He's Fenster Episode: "Nurse Dickens"
1962 Have Gun – Will Travel Mort Tyler Episode: "Marshal of Sweetwater"
1962 Cheyenne Colonel Travers Episode: "Johnny Brassbuttons"
1962–1963 The Untouchables Nicholas Contine / Mike Pavanos / Victor Bartok 3 episodes
1962–1966 Bonanza Parson Parley / Flint Durfee / Henry P. Quince 4 episodes
1962–1972 My Three Sons Dr. Fredericks / Mr. Kranzman / Kramer / Dr. Zoltan / Enoch Lieb 5 episodes
1963 The Dick Powell Theatre Warden Episode: "Tissue of Hate"
1963 The Gallant Men German Captain Episode: "Ol' Buddy"
1963 GE True Funeral Director Episode: "The Black-Robed Ghost"
1963 77 Sunset Strip Walter Dorn / Judge Taylor 2 episodes
1963 Temple Houston Episode: "The Twisted Rope"
1963 The Greatest Show on Earth Boykin Episode: "Garve"
1963–1972 Gunsmoke Rand / Gant 2 episodes
1964 The Outer Limits Doctor Howard Warren Episode: "ZZZZZ"
1964 Perry Mason Prosecutor / Doctor Younger 2 episodes
1964 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Chairman 2 episodes
1964 The Rogues Hoagland Episode: "The Day They Gave Diamonds Away"
1964 Ben Casey Dr. Norman Dryfus Episode: "Courage at 3:00 A.M."
1965 Profiles in Courage Aaron Burr / Emerson 2 episodes
1965 Slattery's People Judge Episode: "Question: Did He Who Made the Lamb Make Thee?"
1965 The Fugitive Les Donaldson Episode: "Trial by Fire"
1965 Gilligan's Island Professor John Corwell Episode: "Smile, You're on Mars Camera"
1965 The Wild Wild West Ambassador Xavier Perkins Episode: "The Night of the Dancing Death"
1965–1968 Run for Your Life Doc / Prosecutor Colman 2 episodes
1965–1969 Daniel Boone Gov. Patrick Henry / Whitmore / High Pvt. A. Slimpsey 4 episodes
1965–1966 The Farmer's Daughter Judge / MacDougall 2 episodes
1966 Hogan's Heroes Captain Guenther Episode: "The Safecracker Suite"
1966 The Monkees The Chief Episode: "The Spy Who Came in from the Cool"
1966–1967 I Dream of Jeannie General Pichegru / Dean Geller 2 episodes
1966–1967 The F.B.I. Albert Vogel / Lane Morris / Martin Davis 3 episodes
1967 Iron Horse Man #3 Episode: "The Golden Web"
1967 The Second Hundred Years Barrows Episode: "Little Lady X"
1967 Garrison's Gorillas Ernst Gerloch Episode: "Banker's Hours"
1967 Judd, for the Defense Judge Episode: "Death from a Flower Girl"
1967–1970 Mission: Impossible Stravos / Dr. Huss 2 episodes
1967–1971 Mannix Leo Kolligian / Max Bonnett 3 episodes
1968 The Invaders Coroner Braemer Episode: "The Possessed"
1968 Tarzan Commissioner Lacing Episode: "Rendezvous for Revenge"
1968 The Outsider Benjamin Seaton Episode: "What Flowers Daisies Are"
1968–1969 The Name of the Game Volmer / Dr. Whitman 2 episodes
1968–1970 The Flying Nun Priest / Bishop Parnell 2 episodes
1969 Marcus Welby, M.D. Mr. Huntsman Episode: "The Foal"
1969 Adam-12 Judge Robert Ricks Episode: "Log 123: Courtroom"
1970 Medical Center Dr. Walter Persky Episode: "The Deceived"
1970 The Virginian Mr. Compton / Jeff Turner 2 episodes
1970 Family Affair Mr. Finletter Episode: "The Inheritance"
1970 The Mod Squad Dr. Grant Ames Episode: "Who Are the Keepers, Who Are the Inmates?"
1970 Dan August Dr. Germain Episode: "The Color of Fury"
1971 Arnie Minister Episode: "Stand Up for Julius"
1971 Alias Smith and Jones Telegraph Operator / Carlton 2 episodes
1971 Gideon Hezekiah Television film
1971 The D.A. Dr. Parkins Episode: "The People vs. Drake"
1971–1972 The Smith Family Ex Con 2 episodes
1971–1977 McCloud Coroner / Hines 3 episodes
1972 Adventures of Nick Carter Parsons Television film
1972 Cannon Dante Linquist Episode: "That Was No Lady"
1972–1976 The Streets of San Francisco Ira Foster / Jensen, Records Clerk 2 episodes
1973 Barnaby Jones Victor Sterne Episode: "The Murdering Class"
1973 Kung Fu Sentinel Episode: "The Squawman"
1973 Love Story Lewin Episode: "When the Girls Came Out to Play"
1974 A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Doctor Television film
1974 Fools, Females and Fun Wally Television film
1974 Planet of the Apes Zaius 6 episodes
1974 Apple's Way Mayor Episode: "The Outsider"
1974–1976 Police Story Pearl / Pathologist / Medical Examiner 3 episodes
1975 Lincoln Senator Samuel C. Pomeroy Episode: "Sad Figure, Laughing"
1975 Lucas Tanner Jerry Trevin Episode: "A Touch of Bribery"
1975 Returning Home Vern Miller Television film
1975 The Blue Knight Coroner Episode: "Two to Make Deadly"
1975 Barbary Coast Dr. Mattwick Episode: "The Day Cable Was Hanged"
1975–1976 Switch Phil Hardice / Seegar 2 episodes
1976 Harry O Sturgis Episode: "Mister Five and Dime"
1976 Time Travelers Dr. Amos Cummings Television film
1976 City of Angels Episode: "The Bloodshot Eye"
1976 The Return of the World's Greatest Detective Psychiatrist Television film
1976 Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident Television film
1976 Holmes & Yoyo Mr. Austin Episode: "The Thornhill Affair"
1977 Yesterday's Child Doctor Television film
1977 Baa Baa Black Sheep Col. Richardson Episode: "The Last Mission Over Sengai"
1977 Delvecchio Judge Schnider 2 episodes
1977 In the Glitter Palace Kubishan Television film
1977 Gibbsville Mr. Cameron Episode: "All I've Tried to Be"
1977–1979 Quincy, M.E. Mr. Fenton / Dr. Edwards 2 episodes
1977–1981 Lou Grant Dr. Prentiss / Mr. McClintock / Judge / Mr. Curtis 4 episodes
1978 Police Woman Mr. Klemin Episode: "The Young and the Fair"
1978 Project U.F.O. Arthur Hammond Episode: "Sighting 4019: The Believe It or Not Incident"
1979 The White Shadow Pawn Brooker Episode: "Wanna Bet?"
1979 The Waltons Dr. Caldwell Episode: "The Parting"
1979 How the West Was Won Kingsley Episode: "Hillary"
1979 The Best Place to Be Television film
1979 The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo The Professor Episode: "The Day That Shark Ate Lobo"
1979 Marciano Dr. Stevens Television film
1980 Galactica 1980 Rogers Episode: "Space Croppers"
1986 The Young and the Restless Dr. Felix Burke 5 episodes
1987 Destination America Television film
1988 Shootdown Bernard Television film
1991–1992 Civil Wars Judge Herbert Hoffer 3 episodes
1995 Chicago Hope Father Fatima Episode: "Rise from the Dead"
1997 Star Trek: Voyager Penno Episode: "Nemesis"
1999 Air America Nicolai Vyshenko Episode: "American Gulag"
2003 Frasier Mr. Slobodkin Episode: "Daphne Does Dinner"
2005 Jake in Progress The Ice Cream Man Episode: "Desperate Houseguy"
2006 My Name Is Earl Scientist Episode: "Monkeys in Space"
2008 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Scooter Episode: "Foiled Again"

References

  1. ^ University of Michigan Official Publication, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, volume 47, number 40, October 2, 1945, "Part XXII Register of Students 1943-1944", page 73. Note, listed as "Cohn, Robert Sanford".
  2. ^ a b High Council - An Interview with Booth Colman, by Jeff Krueger - 'Simian Scrolls' #12
  3. ^ "Index Record for Cohn, Robert S", military service number 39331977, Fold3 by Ancestry.com website.
  4. ^ a b "The Official Booth Colman Website". www.boothcolman.com.
  5. ^ "Booth Colman". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  6. ^ Dagan, Carmel (December 21, 2014). "Actor Booth Colman Dies at 91". Variety. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  7. ^ Bloom, David (December 21, 2014). "Actor Booth Colman Dies At 91". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  8. ^ Hawksley, Rupert (December 22, 2014). "Booth Colman dies aged 91". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 22, 2014.