Burt Mustin

Burton Hill Mustin (February 8, 1884 – January 28, 1977) was an American character actor who appeared in over 150 film and television productions. He also worked in radio and appeared on the stage.

Mustin began his professional acting career at the age of 67 when he appeared in The Last Outpost, released in April 1951, and then director William Wyler cast him in the film noir Detective Story, released in November 1951. Known for his dependability and versatility, Mustin established a career as a well-known character actor and worked extensively in film and television from the 1950s to the 1970s. His last major role was as Arthur Lanson on the CBS sitcom Phyllis, appearing on the show until shortly before his death in early 1977 at the age of 92.

Early life Mustin was born in Pittsburgh to William I. and Sadie (Dorrington) Mustin. His father was a stockbroker. Mustin graduated from Pennsylvania Military College with a degree in civil engineering in 1903. He played first trombone in the band and also played goaltender for the school's ice hockey team in 1902. He was the last surviving member of his 1903 class. He worked as an engineer but later decided to enter sales. In 1916, Mustin began working as a car salesman selling Oakland Sensible Sixes, and he later sold luxury air-cooled Franklins. After the Franklin company quit selling automobiles in 1934, Mustin sold Mercurys and Lincolns until civilian car production was halted in 1942, during World War II. He then worked as a fiscal agent for the Better Business Bureau and the local chamber of commerce.

Before he began a professional career in show business, Mustin acted as an amateur. In 1921, he became the first announcer for a variety-show broadcast on Pittsburgh's new KDKA radio station. He appeared in productions as a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards (a Gilbert and Sullivan troupe) and the Pittsburgh Opera. He was also a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, making his first trip to California in 1925 for a quartet competition in San Francisco. Wyler told Mustin to contact him if he decided to pursue a screen career. Mustin and Smith reprised their roles as "the elderly couple" on a 1972 episode of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Mustin guest starred as Jethroe Collins, the son of a victim of Jesse James, who dissuaded Bobby's idolization of the outlaw, in the "Bobby's Hero" episode of The Brady Bunch during the 1972–1973 season.

The next year, Mustin costarred in the television film version of Miracle on 34th Street, starring Sebastian Cabot, and had an uncredited role in the Disney television film Now You See Him, Now You Don't. His last continuing role was on the television series Phyllis; he played the suitor, and later husband, of Sally "Mother" Dexter, a role he played until shortly before his death.

Films In addition to his extensive work in television, Mustin appeared in numerous films. His uncredited April 1951 film debut at age 67 in The Last Outpost was followed by a part in Detective Story seven months later. He then had roles in Talk About a Stranger (1952), The Sellout (1952; first credited), The Silver Whip (1953), Half a Hero (1953), She Couldn't Say No (1954), The Desperate Hours (1955), Man with the Gun (1955), Storm Center (1956), and The Sheepman (1958).

In the 1960s and 1970s, Mustin appeared in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960), Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man (1962), Twilight of Honor (1963), What a Way to Go! (1964), The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964), Sex and the Single Girl (1964), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Cat Ballou (1965) (uncredited as a former gunfighter "Old ... Old ... ?" ), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1965), The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967), Speedway (uncredited) (1968), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Great Bank Robbery (1969), Hail, Hero! (1969), and Skin Game (1971). In 1974, Mustin portrayed "Uncle Jeff" in the musical film Mame, starring Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur. He also had a small role in Herbie Rides Again, also released in 1974. The next year, he appeared as "Regent Appleby" in The Strongest Man in the World. His final film role came in 1976 in the Western film Baker's Hawk, starring Clint Walker and Burl Ives.

Tribute In 2000 TV Land created a series of commercials celebrating the often-seen but little-known-by-name character actors who regularly appeared in their shows, with Mustin being featured in one.

Personal life Mustin was one of the 110 original founders of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Lions Club, which was established in 1921. He served as one of the presidents and remained active in the club for the remainder of his life. Funeral services were held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 1951 The Last Outpost Marshal of San Gil Uncredited 1951 Detective Story Willie Uncredited 1952 Talk About a Stranger Mr. McEley Uncredited 1952 The Sellout Elk M. Ludens 1952 Just Across the Street Ed Simmons 1952 The Lusty Men Jeremiah Watrus 1952 She Couldn't Say No Amos Uncredited 1953 The Silver Whip Uncle Ben Nunan Uncredited 1953 One Girl's Confession Gardener 1953 Half a Hero Granddad Radwell Uncredited 1953 Vicki Hotel Bellboy Uncredited 1953 The Moonlighter Turnkey Uncredited 1953 A Lion Is in the Streets Swift Uncredited 1954 Executive Suite Sam Teal Uncredited 1954 Gypsy Colt Charlie Uncredited 1954 Witness to Murder Building Night Watchman at End Uncredited 1954 Silver Lode Spectator at Oration Uncredited 1954 Cattle Queen of Montana Dan 1954 Day of Triumph Man in the City Uncredited 1955 Prince of Players Miner Uncredited 1955 The Desperate Hours Carl Uncredited 1955 The Return of Jack Slade Gunsmith Uncredited 1955 Man with the Gun Hotel Desk Clerk Uncredited 1956 Great Day in the Morning Doctor Uncredited 1956 Storm Center Carl Uncredited 1956 Edge of Hell Mr. Morrison 1956 These Wilder Years Old Man Uncredited 1957 Raintree County Old gent with "Flash" Uncredited 1958 The Sheepman Man on Stairs Uncredited 1958 Rally Round the Flag, Boys! Milton Evans, Town Meeting Chairman Uncredited 1959 The FBI Story Uncle Fudd Schneider Uncredited 1960 Home from the Hill Gas station attendant Uncredited 1961 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Old Farmer with Shotgun Uncredited 1961 Snow White and the Three Stooges Farmer Uncredited 1962 All Fall Down Second Tramp Uncredited 1962 Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man Old Soldier Uncredited 1963 Son of Flubber Bailiff Uncredited 1963 The Thrill of It All The Fraleigh butler 1963 Twilight of Honor Court Clerk Uncredited 1964 The Misadventures of Merlin Jones Bailiff Uncredited 1964 What a Way to Go! Crawleyville Lawyer Uncredited 1964 The Killers Elderly Man 1964 Sex and the Single Girl Harvey Uncredited 1965 Cat Ballou Accuser 1965 The Cincinnati Kid Old Man in Pool Hall Uncredited 1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Mr. Deligondo Uncredited 1967 The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin Townsman Uncredited 1967 The Reluctant Astronaut Ned Uncredited 1968 Speedway Janitor at Coffee Shop Uncredited 1968 The Shakiest Gun in the West Old Artimus Uncredited 1969 The Witchmaker Boatman 1969 The Great Bank Robbery Glazier Uncredited 1969 Hail, Hero! Old Man #2 1969 A Time for Dying Ed 1970 Tiger by the Tail Tom Dugger 1971 Skin Game Liveryman in Fair Shake Uncredited 1972 Now You See Him, Now You Don't Mr. Reed Uncredited 1974 Herbie Rides Again Rich Man in Mansion 1974 Mame Uncle Jeff 1975 The Strongest Man in the World Regent Appleby 1975 Train Ride to Hollywood George 1976 Baker's Hawk General (final film role)

+ Television Year Title Role Notes 1951 The Adventures of Kit Carson Dave Lowery Episode: "Fury at Red Gulch" 1953 The Stu Erwin Show Uncle Lucious Erwin Episode: "In the Shade of the Old Family Tree" 1954 Father Knows Best Old Eddie Gilbert Episode: "Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation" 1955 The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin Jameson Penrose Episode: "The Legacy of Sean O'Hara" 1956 Science Fiction Theatre Mr. Stevenson Episode: "Brain Unlimited" 1957 State Trooper John Daka Episode: "Room Service for 321" 1957–1958 Date with the Angels Mr. Finley 5 episodes 1957–1962 Leave It to Beaver Gus the Fireman 15 episodes 1958 Maverick Henry Episode: "The Day They Hanged Bret Maverick" 1958 The Restless Gun Man Playing Checkers Episode: "A Pressing Engagement" 1959 Cimarron City Episode 1, Season 1 1959 Peter Gunn Cab driver Episode: "The Rifle" 1959 Tombstone Territory Lucky Jack Oliver Episode: "The Black Diamond" 1960 General Electric Theater Burt Episode: "Adam's Apples" 1960 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Jethro R. Wiggins J.P. Episode: "Here Comes the Groom" 1960 The Dennis O'Keefe Show Grandpa Clayhipple Episode: "June Thursday" 1960 Mr. Lucky Uncle Billy Episode: "The Leadville Kid Gang" 1960 The Twilight Zone Bert Episode: "Night of the Meek" 1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Old Man playing darts Season 6 Episode 19: "The Landlady" 1961 Thriller The Redcap Episode: "A Third for Pinochle" 1961 My Three Sons Max 1 episode 1961 Peter Gunn Old Man Episode: "Down the Drain" 1961–1962 Ichabod and Me Olaf 4 episodes 1961–1966 Bonanza Various characters 4 episodes 1961–1966 The Andy Griffith Show Jud Fletcher 14 episodes 1962 Shannon Mr. Munday Episode: "The Medal" 1962 The Twilight Zone Old Man in Rest Home Episode: "Kick the Can" 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Jury Foreman (uncredited) Season 1 Episode 24: "The Star Juror" 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Mr. Bell Season 2 Episode 6: "Nothing Ever Happens in Linvale" 1963 The Dick Van Dyke Show Mr. Donald Lucas Parker Episode: " Very Old Shoes, Very Old Rice" The New Phil Silvers Show Magruder Episodes: "Who Do Voodoo? Harry Do!" and "Moonlight and Dozes" 1964 The Fugitive Charley Episode: "Nicest Fella You'd Ever Want to Meet" 1965 Hank Pete Episode: "Candidate" 1965 Get Smart Agent 8 Episode: "Dear Diary" 1966 Batman Old MacDonald Episode 48: "The Yegg Foes in Gotham" 1966 Bewitched Various characters 3 episodes 1967 Dragnet Fred Gregory Episode : "The Bank Examiner Swindle" 1967 The Monkees Kimba S2:E8, "Monkees Marooned"1967 The Monkees Butler S2:E15, "The Christmas Show" 1967 The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Jan Streich Episode: "The Moulin Ruse Affair" 1968 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Mr. Ferguson Episode: "Gomer Goes Home" 1968 Gunsmoke Uncle Finney Episode: "Uncle Finney" 1968 Dragnet Charles Augustus William Smith Episode: "The Senior Citizen" 1969 The Good Guys Kiley Episode: "A Chimp Named Sam" 1969 Dragnet Calvin Lampe Episode: "Homicide: DR 22" 1970 The Ghost & Mrs. Muir Mr. Homer Episode: "Pardon My Ghost" 1970–1974 Adam-12 Various characters 5 episodes 1971 The Mary Tyler Moore Show The Old Man Episode: "Second Story Story" 1971 The New Andy Griffith Show Mr. Ormstead Episode: "Glen Campbell Visits" 1971 All in the Family Harry Feeney Episode: "Archie Is Worried About His Job" 1971 Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In Himself + various characters Season 5, Episode 13 1973 Here's Lucy Mr. Robertson Episode: "Lucy and Joan Rivers Do Jury Duty" 1973 The Brady Bunch Jethroe Collins Episode: "Bobby's Hero" 1973 Sanford and Son Mr. Malloy Episode: "Home Sweet Home for the Aged" 1973–1976 All in the Family Justin Quigley 4 episodes 1974 Rhoda Sleeping Man Episode: "The Honeymoon" 1974–1976 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Himself 13 episodes 1975 Emergency! Various characters 2 episodes 1975 Switch Old man Episode: "The Deadly Missiles Caper" 1976 The Moneychangers Jack Henderson Miniseries 1976–1977 Phyllis Arthur Lanson 4 episodes