Lee Delano
Lee Delano | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 19, 1931 |
| Died | October 8, 2017 (aged 86) |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2020) |
Lee Delano (January 19, 1931 – October 8, 2017)[1] was an American character actor.[2]
Career
[edit]Delano was born in New York City. He graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, where he studied with Sandy Meisner for acting and Martha Graham for dance. His classmates included Joanne Woodward, Susan Oliver and Steve McQueen. McQueen convinced Delano to make the move west to Hollywood where he began to obtain guest roles in episodes of numerous television series, including the original Star Trek in "A Piece of the Action". Delano's tough guy looks and legitimate stage training made him a natural for 'cops and crooks' roles.
In 1968, Sid Caesar hired Delano to replace his longtime improvisational co-star Carl Reiner. Delano co-starred with Caesar on-stage and television around the world,[2] including appearances at the Kraft Music Hall in London, Hollywood Palace, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and theaters and concert halls throughout the United States. These engagements included a four-month stint with Caesar and Imogene Coca at Michael's Pub Cabaret, and a run on Broadway.
Delano entered film in 1968, playing Dr. Tony Verity in Project X.[3][4] An association with Mel Brooks led to roles in the films High Anxiety (as an orderly with half a mustache) and Silent Movie. He also appeared in dramatic roles in Report to the Commissioner and Executive Action, in which he played one of three assassins of President John F. Kennedy.
Delano co-founded the Oxford Theater with Jack Donner in Los Angeles.[4] Their students included Barry Levinson, Craig T. Nelson, Barbara Parkins, and Don Johnson.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Project X | Dr. Tony Verity | |
| 1968 | Rogue's Gallery | Swen | |
| 1968 | Star Trek (1968, Episode: "A Piece of the Action") | Kalo | |
| 1971 | The Late Liz | Joe Vito | |
| 1973 | Executive Action | Gunman - Team A | |
| 1973 | The Don Is Dead | Sam Zutti | Uncredited |
| 1975 | Report to the Commissioner | Detective | |
| 1976 | Silent Movie | Executive | |
| 1977 | High Anxiety | Norton | |
| 1981 | History of the World, Part I | Wagon Driver | (The Roman Empire) |
| 1985 | They Call Me Bruce? | Polish Boss | |
| 1984 | Splash | Sergeant Leleandowski | |
| 1996 | The Birdcage | Mr. Boyington | |
| 1997 | Me and the Gods | (final film role) |
References
[edit]- ^ "SAG-AFTRA - Summer 2018". digital.copcomm.com.
- ^ a b "Actor Lee Delano: Anti-Pigeonholes". The Times Standard. Eureka, CA. October 11, 1977. p. 15. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lee Delano Set for 'Project X'". Valley Times. North Hollywood, CA. April 21, 1967. p. 10. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Good Guy Goes Bad". Valley Times. North Hollywood, CA. September 6, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
