Raymond Bailey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raymond Bailey
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Bailey in 1965
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| Born |
Raymond Thomas Bailey
May 6, 1904 |
| Died | April 15, 1980 (aged 75) Irvine, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Ashes scattered at sea |
| Other names | Ray Bailey |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1938–1975 |
| Spouse(s) | Gaby Aida George |
Raymond Thomas Bailey (May 6, 1904 – April 15, 1980) was an American actor. He performed on the Broadway stage, in movies, and on television. He is most famous for playing the character Milburn Drysdale. Drysdale was a greedy banker in the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies.
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Raymond Bailey's Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Raymond Bailey was born in San Francisco, California. His parents were William and Alice Bailey. As a teenager, he dreamed of becoming a movie star. He moved to Hollywood to try his luck.
However, finding acting jobs was very hard. Raymond took many short-term jobs to make a living. He worked as a day laborer at a movie studio. He was even fired once for sneaking into a movie scene! He also tried working as a stockbroker and a banker.
When Hollywood didn't work out, Raymond moved to New York City. He hoped to find theater roles there. Still, he had no success. So, he became a merchant seaman. This job allowed him to travel the world. He visited places like China, Japan, and the Mediterranean. While in Hawaii, he worked on a pineapple plantation. He also acted in a community theatre and sang on a local radio show.
How Raymond Bailey Found Success in Acting
In 1938, Raymond decided to try Hollywood again. This time, his luck changed! He started getting small parts in movies. One of his first roles was Mr. West in The Green Hornet (1940). This was an action-adventure series.
When World War II began, Raymond served in the United States Merchant Marine. After the war, he returned to Hollywood. He slowly began to get bigger and more important roles.
Raymond Bailey's Roles in Television, Theater, and Film
Raymond Bailey became a very busy actor. He appeared in many different types of shows.
Television Appearances
In the early 1950s, Raymond played many characters on TV. He was in shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Gunsmoke. He also appeared in The Twilight Zone and Bonanza.
He guest-starred on Perry Mason twice. He played a banker and a doctor. From 1960 to 1961, he had a regular role on My Sister Eileen. He also played Dean McGruder on The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis.
Broadway Theater Roles
Raymond Bailey also acted on Broadway. He was in four different plays. These included Last Stop (1944) and The Bat (1953). He also performed in Sing Till Tomorrow (1953). His last Broadway play was The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (1954–1955). In that play, he acted alongside Henry Fonda.
Notable Film Roles
Raymond Bailey appeared in many popular films. He was in the comedy Sabrina (1954). He also played Mr. Benson in the drama Picnic (1955). He worked with famous director Alfred Hitchcock in Vertigo (1958).
He played a Colonel in No Time for Sergeants (1958). He was also the warden of San Quentin in I Want to Live! (1958). In 1960, he played Major General Alexander "Archie" Vandegrift in The Gallant Hours. He even appeared in the horror movie Tarantula! (1955).
Raymond Bailey as Milburn Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies
Raymond Bailey's most famous role was Milburn Drysdale. He played this character on The Beverly Hillbillies. Drysdale was a banker who managed the money for the Clampett family. The Clampetts were country folk who became rich from oil.
Drysdale wanted to keep the Clampetts' money in his bank. So, he convinced them to buy the mansion next door to his own. This was in fancy Beverly Hills. Drysdale often had to explain city life to Jed Clampett.
Sometimes, Jed Clampett thought about moving back to the country. When this happened, the money-loving Mr. Drysdale would panic. He would try very hard to keep the family (and their fortune) in Beverly Hills.
Around the time The Beverly Hillbillies ended, Raymond Bailey began to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. He only made two more movies after the show finished in 1971. These were the Disney films Herbie Rides Again (1974) and The Strongest Man in the World (1975). He retired from acting in 1975 because of his illness.
In his last years, Raymond lived in Laguna Niguel. He kept in touch with his co-star Nancy Kulp. However, he mostly lived a quiet life away from the public eye.
Raymond Bailey's Death
Raymond Bailey passed away on April 15, 1980. He was 75 years old. He died from a heart attack in Irvine, California. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Selected Film and TV Roles
- The Green Hornet (1940) as Mr. West
- Sabrina (1954) as Member of the Board
- Tarantula! (1955) as Townsend
- Picnic (1955) as Mr. Benson
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (various episodes, 1956–1962)
- The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) as Doctor Thomas Silver
- Vertigo (1958) as Scottie's Doctor
- No Time for Sergeants (1958) as Base Colonel
- I Want to Live! (1958) as San Quentin Warden
- The Gallant Hours (1960) as Maj. Gen. Archie Vandergrift
- The Absent Minded Professor (1961) as Admiral Olmstead
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971, TV Series) as Milburn Drysdale
- Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962) as Randolph
- Herbie Rides Again (1974) as Lawyer
- The Strongest Man in the World (1975) as Regent Burns (final film role)
Images for kids
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Raymond Bailey in 1965
