Charles Lane (actor, born 1905) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Lane
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Lane in Lady Luck (1936)
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| Born |
Charles Gerstle Levison
January 26, 1905 San Francisco, California, U.S.
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| Died | July 9, 2007 (aged 102) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1930–2006 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ruth Covell Lane
(m. 1931; died 2002) |
| Children | 2 |
Charles Lane (born Charles Gerstle Levison; January 26, 1905 – July 9, 2007) was an American character actor. He was also a centenarian, meaning he lived to be over 100 years old. His acting career lasted an amazing 76 years!
Charles Lane was a very busy actor. He played hundreds of roles in movies and on TV. He often played grumpy or serious characters. These included clerks, doctors, judges, or bosses. He once said that these "jerk" roles were good parts. They helped him get a lot of work. People often recognized him on the street. They thought they knew him from their own towns.
His first movie role was in Smart Money (1931). He played a hotel clerk. He appeared in many famous films by director Frank Capra. These include Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946).
Lane also became famous on television. Many people remember him as Homer Bedloe on Petticoat Junction. He often worked with Lucille Ball. He played serious characters who were funny opposites to her silly TV characters. He appeared on I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show. Charles Lane gave his last performance in 2006. He was 101 years old.
Contents
Early Life
Charles Lane was born in San Francisco, California. His father worked for an insurance company. His dad helped rebuild the city after the big 1906 earthquake.
Career
Before acting, Lane sold insurance for a short time. Then he started acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. Another actor, Irving Pichel, suggested he try acting in 1929. Four years later, Lane helped start the Screen Actors Guild. This group helps protect actors' rights.
He appeared in many early movies without being named in the credits. But he always made his presence known. He was in films like 42nd Street and Gold Diggers of 1933. He became a favorite actor of director Frank Capra. In It's a Wonderful Life, he played a rent collector. This character surprised everyone by saying nice things about the main hero.
On TV, Lane played Mr. Fosdick in Dear Phoebe. He was also the mean railroad boss Homer Bedloe on Petticoat Junction. He appeared on many other shows. These included Guestward, Ho! and The Bing Crosby Show.
He was good friends with Lucille Ball. His serious, short-tempered characters were perfect for her funny shows. He played several roles on I Love Lucy. One of his favorite parts was in the episode "Lucy Goes To the Hospital." He was in the waiting room when Lucy had her baby. He also played Mr. Finch on Dennis the Menace. Later, he was Mr. Barnsdahl on The Lucy Show.
In 1963, Lane was in the comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He played an airport manager. One film historian joked that a comedy isn't complete without Charles Lane! His last acting role was in 2006. He was 101 years old. He narrated a short film called The Night Before Christmas. His last TV appearance was in 1995. He was 90 years old. He was in a Disney TV movie called The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.
In 2005, the TV Land Awards celebrated his 100th birthday. The audience sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He received an award and joked, "If you're interested, I'm still available [for work]!" Everyone gave him a standing ovation.
Charles Lane was in over 250 movies. He was also in hundreds of TV shows. Sometimes, he played more than one role in a single day! He would quickly change costumes and go to another set. He once had 67 roles in just two years, from 1940 to 1942.
Personal Life
In 1931, Charles Lane married Ruth Covell. They were married for 70 years until she passed away in 2002. They had two children, a son named Tom and a daughter named Alice.
On January 26, 2007, Charles Lane turned 102 years old. He lived in the same home in Brentwood that he bought with Ruth. He passed away peacefully on July 9, 2007. His son, Tom, said he closed his eyes and stopped breathing.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Lane para niños
