Marvin Kaplan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marvin Kaplan
Kaplan in 1951
Born	Marvin Wilbur Kaplan (1927-01-24)January 24, 1927 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	August 25, 2016(2016-08-25) (aged 89) Burbank, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Brooklyn College
Occupation	Actor playwright screenwriter
Years active	1949–2016
Spouse(s)	Rosa Felsenburg ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1976)​

Marvin Wilbur Kaplan (born January 24, 1927 – died August 25, 2016) was an American actor, writer for plays, and writer for movies. He was best known for playing Henry Beesmeyer in the TV show Alice from 1978 to 1985. He also voiced the character Choo-Choo in the cartoon series Top Cat.

Early Life and Education

Marvin Kaplan was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 24, 1927. His father was Dr. I. E. Kaplan. Marvin went to Public School 16 and Junior High School 50. He finished Eastern District High School in 1943.

After high school, he went to Brooklyn College. He earned a degree in English in 1947. Later, he took acting classes at the University of Southern California.

Acting on Television

Marvin Kaplan was very famous for his role in the TV comedy show Alice. He played Henry Beesmeyer, a phone repairman who often visited Mel's Diner. He was part of the show from 1977 until it ended in 1985.

He was also the voice of Choo-Choo in the cartoon series Top Cat from 1961 to 1962. He played this role again in the 1987 movie Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats.

Kaplan also lent his voice to many other cartoons. He was in shows like Garfield and Friends, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and Johnny Bravo. Later, he voiced characters in The Garfield Show in 2011. He also played Mr. Gordon on the TV show Becker.

Radio Work

Marvin Kaplan also had a regular role on the radio show Meet Millie. He played Alfred Prinzmetal, a character who wanted to be a poet and composer. This show was on the radio from 1951 to 1954.

He joined the California Artists Radio Theatre in 1984. He acted in many radio plays. He even created two musicals for the group. He played the White Rabbit in their Alice in Wonderland radio play. He was also the Cowardly Lion in their Wizard of Oz production.

Movie Roles

Marvin Kaplan's first movie role was in Adam's Rib in 1949. He played a court reporter. He also had a small part in the movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). In this film, he played a gas station worker.

He was also in the comedy movie The Great Race (1965). He made a short appearance as a carpet cleaner in the movie Freaky Friday (1976).

Stage Performances

Marvin Kaplan started his acting career on stage in Los Angeles. For many years, he was a member of Theatre West. This is one of the oldest theater companies in Los Angeles. He acted in many plays there. He also wrote plays and movie scripts.

Personal Life

Kaplan in 2013

Marvin Kaplan was married to Rosa Felsenburg. Their marriage later ended in divorce.

Death

Marvin Kaplan passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 25, 2016. He was 89 years old.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows