Bill Erwin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Erwin
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| Born |
William Lindsey Erwin
December 2, 1914 Honey Grove, Texas, U.S.
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| Died | December 29, 2010 (aged 96) Studio City, California, U.S.
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| Other names | William Erwin William L. Erwin |
| Occupation | Actor, cartoonist |
| Years active | 1941–2006 |
| Spouse(s) |
Fran MacLachlan
(m. 1948; died 1995) |
| Children | 4 |
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William Lindsey Erwin (born December 2, 1914 – died December 29, 2010) was an American actor and cartoonist. He appeared in over 250 TV shows and movies. Many people remember him for his role as Sid Fields on the TV show Seinfeld. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for this role in 1993. Bill Erwin also appeared in popular shows like I Love Lucy and Star Trek: The Next Generation. In movies, he is best known for playing Arthur Biehl, a kind bellman, in Somewhere in Time (1980).
Bill Erwin was also a cartoonist who taught himself how to draw. His cartoons were published in famous magazines like The New Yorker. He won several awards for his acting, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.
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Early Life and Education
Bill Erwin was born in Honey Grove, Texas, on December 2, 1914. He went to the University of Texas at Austin and earned a degree in journalism. Later, he studied theater arts at California's Pasadena Playhouse. During World War II, Erwin served as a captain in the United States Army Air Forces.
Becoming an Actor
After the war, Bill Erwin started his acting career. He performed in many plays at different theaters in the Los Angeles area. These included the Pasadena Playhouse and the La Jolla Playhouse.
Famous Roles in TV and Movies
Bill Erwin had a very long career in both television and films. He often played supporting roles, making him a well-known "character actor."
Movie Appearances
In the late 1950s, Erwin appeared in films like Man from Del Rio (1956). He also played Jack Nicholson's father in The Cry Baby Killer (1958). This was one of Jack Nicholson's first big roles.
Later, Erwin co-starred in the romantic fantasy movie Somewhere in Time (1980). He played Arthur Biehl, a friendly bellman at the Grand Hotel. Fans of the movie still gather at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, for reunions.
Bill Erwin also worked with director John Hughes many times. He had small roles in popular movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) and Home Alone (1990). He often played a husband to actress Billie Bird in these films.
Television Highlights
Bill Erwin appeared in many television shows throughout his career. In the 1950s, he was seen in I Love Lucy and Perry Mason. The 1960s brought him roles in The Andy Griffith Show and The Twilight Zone.
In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, he continued to be very busy. He appeared in shows like Gunsmoke, Married... with Children, and The Golden Girls. A memorable role was in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
His most famous TV role was in the Seinfeld episode called "The Old Man." He played Sid Fields, a grumpy old man in a "Foster-A-Grandpa" program. His funny and difficult character made the episode very popular. This role earned him an Emmy Award nomination. Later, he worked again with Seinfeld star Michael Richards on The Michael Richards Show. In the 2000s, he appeared in shows like Monk and My Name Is Earl.
Life Outside Acting
Bill Erwin was married to Fran MacLachlan Erwin, who was an actress and journalist. They were married from 1948 until her death in 1995. They lived in the Hollywood Hills and had four children: two sons named Michael and Timothy, and two daughters named Lindsey and Kelly.
Death
Bill Erwin passed away from natural causes at his home in Studio City, California. He died on December 29, 2010, at the age of 96. He lived very close to where the TV show Seinfeld was filmed.
Images for kids
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Bombing Manuel
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Planning the Mission
