Ray Middleton

Raymond Earl Middleton (February 8, 1907 – April 10, 1984) was an American singer and stage, TV and movie actor.

Early years Middleton was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois.

Career Soon after he graduated from college, Middleton sang with the Detroit Civic Opera Company, after which he sang with the St. Louis Opera Company and the Chicago Civic Opera. He declined to join the Metropolitan Opera Company, preferring a career in film.

In 1933, Middleton appeared in the Broadway play Roberta. Later in 1938, he appeared in the musical Knickerbocker Holiday.

At the New York World's Fair, July 3, 1940 was declared "Superman Day" and Superman was featured at the World of Tomorrow exhibit as the "Man of Tomorrow." At the event, Middleton became the first actor to portray Superman in public.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, appearing in the Air Forces show Winged Victory.

In 1946, he co-starred with Ethel Merman in the Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun. In 1948, he starred in Love Life with Nanette Fabray.

In 1950, he co-starred with Mary Martin in South Pacific, succeeding Ezio Pinza. In 1965, he played the innkeeper in Man of La Mancha.

In television, Middleton's appearances included The Ed Sullivan Show, once as a guest host; the Colgate Comedy Hour; and Chrysler's Shower of Stars in the 1950s. He co-starred with Phil Silvers and Lee Remick in a 1967 TV adaptation of Damn Yankees!

During the 1970s, Middleton appeared in the TV movie Hec Ramsey as a judge, in the musical movie 1776, as Colonel Thomas McKean, and in the first TV adaptation of Helter Skelter as ranch-owner George Spahn. He also voiced the character Pepperino in the cartoon Tubby the Tuba.

Middleton's last appearances were as Cardinal Reardon in an episode of M*A*S*H entitled "Blood Brothers," featuring Patrick Swayze; and as grandfather Huey Rush in the comedy Too Close for Comfort.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1938 You and Me Salesman Uncredited1940 Gangs of Chicago Bill Whitaker 1941 Lady from Louisiana Blackburn 'Blackie' Williams Hurricane Smith 'Hurricane' Smith Mercy Island Warren Ramsey 1942 Lady for a Night Alan Alderson The Girl from Alaska Steve Bently 1952 I Dream of Jeanie Edwin P. Christy 1953 Sweethearts On Parade Cameron "Cam" Ellerby 1954 Jubilee Trail Charles Hale 1955 I Cover the Underworld Police Chief Corbett The Road to Denver John Sutton 1972 1776 Col. Thomas McKean 1975 Tubby the Tuba The Great Pepperino Voice

Television