Jack Albertson

He was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Ameche has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6101 Hollywood Boulevard. He was 74 years old. His final scenes for the film Corrina, Corrina (1994) were completed only days before his death in Scottsdale, Arizona from prostate cancer. Jack Albertson died on Wednesday, November 25th, 1981 at 1:30 in the afternoon. Ameche's next role, in Cocoon (1985), won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and he continued working for the rest of his life (including a role in the sequel, Cocoon: The Return). He made one movie, My Body, My Child (1982) and one TV movie, Grandpa, Will You Run With Me? (1982) before his death that were released posthumously. The actors played rich brothers intent on ruining an innocent man for the sake of a bet and the film's great success, and their acclaimed comedic performances, brought them both back into the limelight.

In 1978 he was diagnosed with colon cancer, but kept this information from the public so he could continue to act. For three decades he was virtually absent from films, until he was cast alongside fellow veteran actor Ralph Bellamy in the film Trading Places in 1983. He resided for years in a modest home in West Hollywood. By the end of the decade his films had lost appeal, and he turned to radio where he achieved great success during the fifties playing opposite Frances Langford in The Bickersons. Jack Albertson was married to Wallace (Wally) Thompson and had one daughter, Maura. He was so associated with his role as Bell that for a time, "Ameche" was slang for telephone. (again, by no means an exhaustive list). He appeared successfully in such films as Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938), as Alexander Graham Bell in The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1939) and Heaven Can Wait (1943).

He also guest starred on numerous shows, including:. He made his film debut in 1935 and by the late thirties had established himself as a leading actor in Hollywood. He had reoccurring or starring roles on:. Born Dominic Felix Amici in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ameche began his career in vaudeville with Texas Guinan until Guinan dropped him from the act, dismissing him as "too stiff". Television also saw much of Albertson's talent. Don Ameche (May 31, 1908 - December 6, 1993) was an American actor. (by no means an exhaustive list) His one regret was that he was not asked to reprise his role in the movie version of The Sunshine Boys.

Other films include:. Notable among these were:. Jack Albertson had a prolific movie career as well, mostly playing supporting roles. He was also know for two radio programs, Just Plain Bill and The Jack Albertson Comedy Show.

Besides vaudeville and burlesque, he appeared on the stage in many Broadway plays including High Button Shoes, Top Banana, The Cradle Will Rock, Make Mine Manhattan, Show Boat, Boy Meets Girl, Girl Crazy, Meet the People, The Sunshine Boys (for which he received a Tony nomination for Best Actor), and The Subject was Roses (for which he won a Tony for Best Supporting Actor). Jack soon worked in burlesque as a hoofer (soft shoe dancer) and straight man to Phil Silvers on the Minsky's Burlesque Circuit. His first real job in show business was with a vaudeville road troupe, the Dancing Verselle Sisters. In the summer he would sleep in Central Park (This was in the age before the muggers took over the park at night).

He was too poor to get a room in a flop house, so in the winter he would sleep on the IRT subway for a nickel and hide out when the transit workers would clear out the train at the end of the line. Jack dropped out of high school and traveled to New York City in an attempt make it big in show business. He had a sister, Mabel, and a brother, Frank, who were also actors. Jack was born in Malden, Massachusetts to Flora Craft, a Russian immigrant, and Leo Albertson, a Polish immigrant.

He was an American actor, comedian, dancer, singer, and musician. Jack Albertson (June 16, 1907 - November 25, 1981) was considered a complete entertainer from the old school. Gunsmoke. Charlie's Angels.

The Streets of San Francisco. Night Gallery. McMillan and Wife. Love, American Style.

The Virginian. Nanny and the Professor. Daniel Boone. Marcus Welby, M.D..

Land of the Giants. Bonanza. The Andy Griffith Show. Run For Your Life.

The Dick Van Dyke Show. The Twilight Zone. Mister Ed. Bachelor Father.

Grandpa goes to Washington. Chico and the Man, for which he won an Emmy, making him one of the few entertainers to win the triple crown of entertainment (Tony, Oscar, and Emmy). Ensign O'Toole. The Thin Man.

The Burns and Allen Show. Dead and Buried (1981). The Fox and the Hound (1981). Charlie's Balloon (1981).

Marriage is Alive and Well (1979). The Comedy Company (1978). Charlie and the Great Balloon Chase (1978). Where Eagles Fly (1972).

Pickup on 101 (1972). The Late Liz (1971). Once Upon A Dead Man (1971). Rabbit, Run (1970).

Squeeze A Flower (1970). Justine, Changes, The Monk (all 1969). How To Save A Marriage and Ruin Your Life (1968). The Flim-Flam Man (1967).

How To Murder Your Wife (1965). Kissin' Cousins (1964). Days of Wine and Roses (1962). Period of Adjustment (1962).

Teacher's Pet (1958). Monkey on My Back (1957). Don't Go Near the Water (1957). Big Business Girl (1931).

The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). The Subject was Roses (1968), for which he won a best supporting actor Oscar. a film version of Top Banana (1953), teamed again with his friend Phil Silvers.

a bit part as the postal worker who redirected all of Santa Claus' mail to the New York Courthouse in Miracle on 34th Street (1947).