Leon Ames facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leon Ames
Trailer for The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Born	Harry Wycoff (1902-01-20)January 20, 1902 Portland, Indiana, U.S.
Died	October 12, 1993(1993-10-12) (aged 91) Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills
Other names	Leon Waycoff
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1931–1986
Spouse(s)	Christine Gossett ​ ​ (m. 1938)​
Children	3
11th President of the Screen Actors Guild
In office 1957–1958
Preceded by	Walter Pidgeon
Succeeded by	Howard Keel

Leon Ames (born Harry L. Wycoff; January 20, 1902 – October 12, 1993) was a famous American actor. He worked in both movies and television. Many people remember him for playing kind, but sometimes a bit strict, father figures in films. Some of these popular movies include Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Little Women (1949), and On Moonlight Bay (1951). He also played a serious role as a district attorney in the crime film The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946).

Early Life

Leon Ames was born on January 20, 1902, in Portland, Indiana. His birth name was Harry L. Wycoff. His parents were Charles Elmer Wycoff and Cora Alice DeMoss. In his early acting days, he used the name Leon Waycoff. In 1935, he changed his name to Leon Ames. He explained that "Waycoff" was often misspelled and mispronounced. "Ames" was his mother's last name before she got married.

Starting on Stage

Leon Ames started his career in entertainment behind the scenes. He worked as a stage manager for the Charles K. Champlin Theatre Company. Soon, he began acting with the group. He even got a main role in a play called Tomorrow and Tomorrow in Los Angeles. He also spent three years acting with the Stuart Walker Stock Company in Cincinnati, Ohio.

His first performance on Broadway (a famous theater district in New York City) was in a play called It Pays to Sin in 1933. He acted in many other Broadway shows, including The Male Animal and The Land Is Bright.

Movie Star!

Leon Ames made his first movie, Quick Millions, in 1931. In the 1940s, he signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a major movie studio. One of his most important roles at MGM was playing Mr. Smith in the huge hit movie Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). In this film, he played the father of characters portrayed by Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien.

He also had a notable role in The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). He played the district attorney, Kyle Sackett. Leon Ames appeared in other popular films like On Moonlight Bay (1951) and its sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953). He was also in Peyton Place (1957).

In the 1961 Walt Disney comedy The Absent-Minded Professor, he played college president Rufus Daggett. He returned to this role in the 1963 sequel, Son of Flubber. In 1970, he played Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox in the war film Tora! Tora! Tora!. His very last movie role was in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), where he played the grandfather.

TV and Radio Roles

Leon Ames first appeared on radio in January 1942 on a show called Grand Central Station.

He also had many roles on television. He played the main character, Clarence Day, Sr., in the TV show Life with Father (1953–1955). He also starred as Stanley Banks in Father of the Bride (1961–1962). His role in Father of the Bride became so important that his character was made the main focus of the show.

Ames played Judge John Cooper in the series Frontier Judge. He also appeared as Howard McMann in the popular show Bewitched. From 1963 to 1966, he joined the cast of Mister Ed. He played Wilbur Post's neighbor, Colonel Gordon Kirkwood. This happened after the death of the actor who played the original neighbor. He also appeared in episodes of The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Storefront Lawyers. In 1975, he played Grandpa Willis in an episode of The Jeffersons.

Beyond Acting

Leon Ames was one of the people who helped start the Screen Actors Guild in 1933. This is a union that protects actors' rights. He even served as its president in 1957. In the 1960s, Leon Ames also owned several car dealerships in California.

Family Life

Leon Ames had a son named Robert Fletcher from an earlier relationship. Robert stayed with his mother after she and Ames separated in 1923.

In 1938, Leon Ames married actress Christine Gossett. They had a daughter, Shelley (born 1940), and a son, Leon (born 1943). Christine stopped acting to focus on raising their family. They stayed married until Leon Ames passed away in 1993.

A Scary Moment

On February 12, 1964, a person broke into Leon Ames' home. Leon and his wife were held there for a short time. The intruder asked for money. Leon Ames called his business partner, who got the money from a bank and brought it to the house. After getting the money, the intruder left Leon Ames tied up. He then made Mrs. Ames drive him away in their car. He also forced the business partner and a guest into the car's trunk. Luckily, the police had been told what was happening. They quickly surrounded the car and safely rescued everyone.

Later Years and Legacy

His Final Bow

Leon Ames passed away on October 12, 1993, in Laguna Beach, California. He was 91 years old. He died from problems after having a stroke. He is buried at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Awards and Honors

In 1980, after working in show business for 50 years, Leon Ames received a very special award. He was given the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. This award honors actors who have had a long and successful career and made important contributions to the acting profession.

Film and TV Appearances

Movies

TV Shows

• Life with Father (1953–1955)
• Father of the Bride (1961–1962)
• Mister Ed (1963–1965)
• My Three Sons (1968)
• The Andy Griffith Show (1968)
• The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1970)
• Bewitched (1970)
• The Jeffersons (1975)

See also

In Spanish: Leon Ames para niños

• List of kidnappings