Burt Mustin

Infobox actor
name = Burt Mustin
birthname = Burton Hill Mustin
birthdate = birth date|1884|2|8|mf=y
birthplace = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
deathdate = death date and age|1977|1|28|1884|2|8
deathplace = Glendale, California
restingplace = Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States

Burton Hill Mustin (February 8, 1884 — January 28, 1977) was an American character actor born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Biography

Mustin was a 1903 graduate of the Pennsylvania Military College, earning his degree in civil engineering. An automobile salesman, he was also an amateur actor, appearing frequently in productions of the Pittsburgh Savoyards (a Gilbert and Sullivan troupe).

His first appearance in film came in 1951 at the age of 67, and thereafter he established himself as one of the most familiar character actors in the United States. His face was a common appearance on television programs through the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, with credits ranging from single appearances on shows such as "The Dick Van Dyke Show" to multiple appearances on shows such as "The Andy Griffith Show" and "All in the Family". Befitting one who began his acting career at nearly 70 years of age, his typical character was a feisty old-timer. His last continuing role was on the television series "Phyllis", in which he played the suitor, and later husband, of Sally "Mother" Dexter.

He had a recurring role as the wise but often sleepy Gus the fireman on "Leave It to Beaver"; and on Dragnet in the 1960s, where his roles ranged from an aged, unrepentant cat burglar to a pitiable victim of a "bank examiner" swindle, as well as a retired deputy police chief from Chicago. He guest starred in many series, including the short-lived CBS sitcom from 1966, "Run, Buddy, Run", starring Jack Sheldon.

Mustin died from natural causes on January 28, 1977, at the age of 92, at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California.

Trivia

* Mustin was involved with early broadcasts on KDKA.
* Mustin was a member of SPEBSQSA.

elected filmography

elected television roles

* "Leave it to Beaver" - Gus the Fireman (1957 – 1958)
* "The Andy Griffith Show" - Jud Crowley (1961 – 1966)
* The Twilight Zone episode "Kick the Can" (1962) in a non-speaking role as a bystander watching from the porch rocker.
* "Bewitched" - as a warlock messenger ("Toys in Babeland") and Mountain Guru ("Return of Darrin the Bold") (1966-71)
* "Dragnet"-Pensioner (1967)
* "Petticoat Junction" - Grandpa Jenson (1968)
* "The Brady Bunch" - Jethroe Collins (Man whose father was killed by Jesse James) (1973)
* "All in the Family" - Harry Feeney and Justin Quigley (1971 – 1976)
* "Phyllis" - Arthur Lanson (1976)

External links

*
* [http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/mnames-nf/Mustin+Burt Burt Mustin at Dead or Alive?]
* [http://www.dougmacaulay.com/kingspud/sel_by_actor_index_2.php?actor_first=Burt&actor_last=Mustin Burt Mustin at Great Character Actors]
*
* [http://www.ronleon.com/burt/burt.html Photo gallery]
* [http://www.widener.edu/Tools_Resources/Libraries/Wolfgram_Memorial_Library/Archives/Collections/Alumni/Burt_Mustin/3852/ Pennsylvania Military College profile]