Hugh Reilly

Infobox actor
name = Hugh Reilly


caption = Hugh Reilly as Paul Martin in "Lassie"
birthname = Hugh Reilly
birthdate = birth date|1915|10|30|mf=y
birthplace = Newark, New Jersey
deathdate = death date and age|1998|7|17|1915|10|30
deathplace = Burbank, California
occupation = Theater, film, and TV actor
spouse =

Hugh Reilly (October 30 1915—July 17 1998) was an American actor, appearing on the Broadway stage, in films, and on television. He is best remembered for co-starring in the mid-1950s television series "Lassie".

Early years and career

Born October 30, 1915 at Newark, New Jersey, Reilly saw service in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII and pursued a theater career following the war. He made several Broadway appearances (including one with Tallulah Bankhead in "Dear Charles") before heading to Hollywood for a film career in the late forties. HIs film appearances include "Johnny Stool Pigeon" (1949), and "Bright Victory" (1951). Reilly also worked many early television shows such as "Kraft Television Theatre" (1949), "The Ford Theatre Hour" (1951), and "Broadway Television Theatre" (1953).

"Lassie"

In 1958, Reilly joined the hugely successful CBS television series "Lassie" playing Paul Martin, a farmer, husband, and adoptive father of the show's child character Timmy. Reilly debuted in the opening episode of the fifth season, "The Storm" (1958) with June Lockhart opposite him as his wife Ruth and Jon Provost as Timmy.

In 1959, veteran character actor and comedian Andy Clyde was hired to play Cully Wilson, an elderly eccentric farmer and nature lover. When Timmy was scripted into many adventures with Cully, producers felt two adult males on the show would overwhelm the audience and Reilly was consigned to fewer appearances. Paul's absence was attributed to workloads in distant fields, grange meetings, or business trips away from home. As the tenth season approached (1964), it was evident that young teenager Provost was outgrowing his role. Producers decided to rework the show and sent the entire Martin family to Australia where Paul would teach agriculture. Lassie remained in the States as companion to a team of forestry workers; the Martins were never seen, heard, or referenced again on the show.Collins, Ace. "Lassie: a dog's life." Penguin Books, 1993.] Reilly made his last appearance on "Lassie" in the first episode of the tenth season, "The Wayfarers" (1964). He had made a grand total of 140 episode appearances on the show.

Final years

Following his stint with "Lassie", Reilly was offered the role of The Professor on "Gilligan's Island" but declined, preferring to spend time with his family and performing in theater. He worked television off and on through the seventies (appearing occasionally in "The Edge of Night") and made final appearances in the early and mid-1980s. In his last years, he often joined "Lassie" co-star Jon Provost at fan conventions and autograph signings.

Personal and death

Reilly fathered three sons, Josh, Ethan, and Dave. He died July 17, 1998 of emphysema at Burbank, California.

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0717689/ Hugh Reilly at IMDb]