Lee Delano

Lee Delano (January 19, 1931 – October 8, 2017) was an American character actor.

Career Delano was born in New York City. He graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, where he studied with Sandy Meisner for acting and Martha Graham for dance. His classmates included Joanne Woodward, Susan Oliver and Steve McQueen. McQueen convinced Delano to make the move west to Hollywood where he began to obtain guest roles in episodes of numerous television series, including the original Star Trek in "A Piece of the Action". Delano's tough guy looks and legitimate stage training made him a natural for 'cops and crooks' roles.

In 1968, Sid Caesar hired Delano to replace his longtime improvisational co-star Carl Reiner. Delano co-starred with Caesar on-stage and television around the world, An association with Mel Brooks led to roles in the films High Anxiety (as an orderly with half a mustache) and Silent Movie. He also appeared in dramatic roles in Report to the Commissioner and Executive Action, in which he played one of three assassins of President John F. Kennedy.

Delano co-founded the Oxford Theater with Jack Donner in Los Angeles. Their students included Barry Levinson, Craig T. Nelson, Barbara Parkins, and Don Johnson.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1968 Project X Dr. Tony Verity 1968 Rogue's Gallery Swen 1968 Star Trek (1968, Episode: "A Piece of the Action") Kalo 1971 The Late Liz Joe Vito 1973 Executive Action Gunman - Team A 1973 The Don Is Dead Sam Zutti Uncredited1975 Report to the Commissioner Detective 1976 Silent Movie Executive 1977 High Anxiety Norton 1981 History of the World, Part I Wagon Driver The Roman Empire1985 They Call Me Bruce? Polish Boss 1984 Splash Sergeant Leleandowski 1996 The Birdcage Mr. Boyington 1997 Me and the Gods (final film role)