George S. Irving facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George S. Irving
|
|
|---|---|
Irving as Dario the conductor in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Me and Juliet in 1953
|
|
| Born |
Irving Shelasky
November 1, 1922 |
| Died | December 26, 2016 (aged 94) Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1943–2016 |
| Spouse(s) |
Maria Karnilova
(m. 1948; |
| Children | 2 |
George S. Irving (born Irving Shelasky; November 1, 1922 – December 26, 2016) was a famous American actor. He was well-known for his roles in Broadway shows. Many people also remember his voice as Heat Miser in the Christmas TV special The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974).
Contents
Early Life of George Irving
George Irving was born Irving Shelasky in Springfield, Massachusetts. His parents, Abraham and Rebecca Shelasky, came from Russia. He was one of four children in his family.
When Irving was about 13 or 14, he sang as a boy soprano. He performed in both synagogues and churches. In 1940, during his last year of high school, he learned about a special acting school in Boston. He quickly earned a scholarship to attend this school. In 1942, he joined the chorus of the Muny Opera in St. Louis.
George Irving's Acting Career
On Stage: Broadway Performances
Irving started his acting career on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. His first role was in the original 1943 musical Oklahoma!. Just a few days after getting the part, he was called to serve in the United States Army during World War II. He got the role because another actor lost his voice, and Irving stepped in. He once said that he wrote to the theater group and got an audition for the show.
George Irving became very well-known to Broadway audiences. He performed with famous actresses like Debbie Reynolds in Irene (1974). For his role in Irene, he won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. A Tony Award is one of the highest honors in American theater. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Sir John in Me and My Girl (1987).
In 2008, Irving brought back three roles he played in an earlier musical called So Long, 174th Street. The show was changed and renamed Enter Laughing. He received great reviews for his song "The Butler's Song." In November 2008, he performed his own show in New York City. On December 8, 2008, when he was 86 years old, Irving received the Oscar Hammerstein Award. This award honors lifetime achievements in musical theater.
Broadway Shows and Musicals
|
|
Voice Acting Roles
George Irving was also famous for his voice acting. One of his most well-known roles was the voice of the grumpy Heat Miser. He played this character in the Christmas TV special The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974). He also voiced Mister Geppetto in Pinocchio's Christmas.
He was the narrator for the animated cartoon series Underdog. He also voiced Running Board on Go Go Gophers. In 2008, Irving returned to voice Heat Miser again in A Miser Brothers' Christmas. This was a new special that continued the story from The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Television Appearances
In the 1970s, many people recognized George Irving from his TV appearances. He was a guest star on the show All in the Family. He played Russ DeKuyper, who was the loud husband of Edith Bunker's cousin. He also had a regular role in the short-lived TV show The Dumplings in 1976. Irving also appeared in commercials for White Owl Cigars.
In 1996, he performed in an opera called The Merry Widow. This performance was broadcast live from the New York State Theater. During the show, he talked about the history of the operetta.
George Irving's Personal Life
George Irving was married to Maria Karnilova from 1948 until she passed away in 2001. They had two children, a son named Alexander and a daughter named Katherine. He also had three grandchildren.
Death
George Irving passed away in Manhattan, New York City, on December 26, 2016. He was 94 years old and died from heart failure. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving cast member from the TV series Underdog.
Filmography
- Up the Sandbox (1972) - Dr. Keglin
- The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) - Heat Miser (voice)
- Fore Play (1975) - Reverend/Roberto
- Deadly Hero (1975) - Reilly
- Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure (1977) - The Captain (voice)
- Pinocchio's Christmas (1980) - Geppetto (voice)
- A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008) - Heat Miser (voice)
Television
- Underdog - 124 episodes - (1964-1967) - Narrator / Tap Tap the Chizzler / several Characters (voice)
- Go Go Gophers - 48 episodes (1964-1966) - Running Board / Several Characters (voice)
- Klondkie Kat - 26 episodes (1966-1967) - Major Minor / Several Characters (voice)
- All in the Family - episode - Amelia's Divorce (1975) - Russell DeKuyper
- Family - episode - From Russia With Love (1979) - Alexei Tomaszevski
