Layne Britton

Layne "Shotgun" Britton (September 5, 1907 – December 12, 1993) was a makeup artist and actor in Hollywood from 1939 until 1989. He worked with many notable actors and musicians, such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, John Belushi, John Candy and Jane Russell. He had an extensive career in feature films and television, and a short career as an actor.

Career In 1944, Britton appeared on the radio quiz program Blind Date. The broadcast was photographed for Life magazine by Gjon Mili.

Britton appeared as a contestant on the January 13, 1955 episode of the television quiz program You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Marx.

Britton served as a makeup artist in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, but also appeared briefly in the film. Characters Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) and Jake (John Belushi) enter Elwood's SRO, and Britton, depicted as an old man playing cards in the lobby, yells, "Did you get me my Cheez Whiz, boy?" Elwood then pulls a can of Snack Mate from his pocket and tosses it to Britton.

Britton died in Marina del Rey, California, at the age of 86. He is buried in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1980 The Blues Brothers The Cheese Whiz 1981 Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. Storekeeper 1989 Meet the Hollowheads Grandpa Hollowhead (final film role)