30 December, 2012

Norman Leavitt



Norman Turner Leavitt (December 1, 1913 – December 11, 2005) was an American film and television actor.

Norman Turner Leavitt was born in Lansing, Michigan. He began his career in 1935, appearing as a wedding guest in the Broadway play How Beautiful With Shoes.

Later in his career, Leavitt began his film career in 1946, playing the role of the "2nd Cowboy" in the film The Harvey Girls. He continued his career, mainly appearing in numerous films with uncredited roles and co-starring roles.

In 1950s–1960s, Leavitt appeared in numerous films, including, It's a Dog's Life, The Long, Long Trailer, Stars and Stripes Forever, Somebody Loves Me, The Merry Widow, Hannah Lee: An American Primitive, O. Henry's Full House, California Passage, Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell, Harvey, The Killer That Stalked New York, Wabash Avenue, The Inspector General, A Woman of Distinction, Off Limits, The Luck of the Irish, Showdown at Boot Hill, God Is My Partner, Valerie, The Way to the Gold, The Shadow on the Window, The Ten Commandments, Fury at Gunsight Pass, Ride, Vaquero!, Living It Up, The Kentuckian and When Gangland Strikes.

Leavitt also starred and co-starred in other films, as it includes, Combat Squad, playing the role of "Pvt. Fred Jones", The Rookie, playing the role of "Maj. Evert" and Teenage Monster, playing the role of "Deputy Ed". He started appearing on television in 1952, appearing in The Adventures of Kit Carson, playing the role of "Frank". In 1958, Leavitt played the recurring role of the dimwitted jail handyman "Ralph" in the western television series Trackdown.

In 1960s–1970s, Leavitt started appearing in numerous television programs and appearing in fewer films. His television credits include Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, Mayberry, R.F.D., Perry Mason, The Fugitive, The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bonanza, Lost in Space, The Wild Wild West, The Jack Benny Program, Mister Ed, Death Valley Days, The Rifleman, Leave It to Beaver, Peter Gunn, The Addams Family, Wagon Train, Tales of Wells Fargo, The Millionaire, The Guns of Will Sonnett and Ironside. He also appeared in The Andy Griffith Show, playing the roles of Wally, Ralph – Town Councilman, Townsman, Gil and Cal.

In 1978, Leavitt retired his career, last appearing in the television series Quincy, M.E..

Leavitt died in December 2005 of dehydration and dementia at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Solvang, California, at the age of 92.

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