Peter Leeds


Actor, Comedian
Peter Leeds

About

Birth Place
Bayonne, New Jersey, USA
Born
May 30, 1917
Died
November 12, 1996
Cause of Death
Cancer

Biography

In a career spanning over 45 years, actor Peter Leeds made upwards of 8,000 television appearances, frequently as a straight man opposite comedy stars such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Johnny Carson. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he trained with the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City before performing on Broadway in shows such as "My Heart's in the Highlands." His feature debut cam...

Photos & Videos

Family & Companions

Pat Leeds
Wife
Married for 34 years; survived him.

Notes

Received AFTRA highest honor the Gold Card in 1992

Biography

In a career spanning over 45 years, actor Peter Leeds made upwards of 8,000 television appearances, frequently as a straight man opposite comedy stars such as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Johnny Carson. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he trained with the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City before performing on Broadway in shows such as "My Heart's in the Highlands." His feature debut came in 1941 in "Public Enemies," followed by a decade of small supporting parts, often going uncredited. He next saw roles in higher-profile fare, including "The Last Time I Saw Paris" with Elizabeth Taylor and the musical biopic about torch singer Ruth Etting, featuring Doris Day and James Cagney, "Love Me or Leave Me." After sharing the screen with Bob Hope in 1954, he joined the renowned comedian and actor in other shows and on 14 United StatesO. tours through 1991. In his television heyday of the '50s and '60s, he usually played guest spots with a couple of recurring-role exceptions, on the Robert Culp Western "Trackdown" and the "December Bride" sitcom spinoff, "Pete and Gladys." A veteran of radio with over 3,000 shows to his name, he also lent his voice to animated series such as "The Jetsons" and "Challenge of the GoBots." Giving back to the business, Leeds served as president of the Los Angeles chapter of the actors union A.F.T.R.A. and held a spot on the board of governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Filmography

 

Cast (Feature Film)

Dragnet (1987)
Senior Trip! (1981)
The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat (1974)
Voice
With Six You Get Eggroll (1968)
Police Officer Joelson
8 on the Lam (1967)
Marty
The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966)
The Oscar (1966)
Harlow (1965)
Director of 30's
The Wheeler Dealers (1963)
Arthur Watkins
The Scarface Mob (1962)
Lamarr Kane
Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)
Reporter
The Facts of Life (1960)
Thompson
High School Big Shot (1959)
Mr. Carter
The Rookie (1959)
Man at bar
The 30-Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959)
Bill Burton
The Big Operator (1959)
Henland
Girls Town (1959)
Michael Clyde
The Brothers Karamazov (1958)
Guard
Kiss Them for Me (1957)
Reporter
Slander (1957)
Herb Goodman
Bombers B-52 (1957)
Television director
The Best Things in Life Are Free (1956)
Genius
The Price of Fear (1956)
Mitchell
The Harder They Fall (1956)
Ring announcer, Chicago
Tea and Sympathy (1956)
Headmaster at bonfire
Behind the High Wall (1956)
First detective
The Great American Pastime (1956)
Motor cop
Hit the Deck (1955)
Naval officer
Interrupted Melody (1955)
Dr. Editor Ryson
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
Mr. Trasker
Six Bridges to Cross (1955)
Harris
Love Me or Leave Me (1955)
Fred Taylor
Tight Spot (1955)
Fred Packer
I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955)
Richard
Bobby Ware Is Missing (1955)
MacKay
The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
Garage manager
Brigadoon (1954)
Man in bar
Playgirl (1954)
Sharpie
Athena (1954)
Photographer
The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)
Barney
The Adventures of Hajji Baba (1954)
Thin merchant
The Atomic Kid (1954)
Bill, FBI agent
Stalag 17 (1953)
Prisoner of war, barracks #1
Never Wave at a WAC (1953)
Nick Lajaros
99 River Street (1953)
Nat Finley
My Man and I (1952)
The Frogmen (1951)
Pharmacist's mate
Up Front (1951)
Pinanski
Katie Did It (1951)
"Odds" Burton
Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1951)
Manson
Saddle Tramp (1950)
Springer
South Sea Sinner (1950)
Policeman
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950)
Cosmetician
Dial 1119 (1950)
Policeman
D.O.A. (1950)
Bartender
The Lady Gambles (1949)
Hotel clerk
The Life of Riley (1949)
Heavy's voice in radio serial
Hit Parade of 1947 (1947)
Band leader in rehearsal room
That Brennan Girl (1946)
Bergie
Crash Dive (1943)
Shore police
Lady Bodyguard (1943)
Intern
I Married a Witch (1942)
Intern
Treat 'Em Rough (1942)
Davis
Priorities on Parade (1942)
Employee
Reunion in France (1942)
Boy
Don Winslow of the Navy (1942)
Public Enemies (1941)
Reporter
Pacific Blackout (1941)
Air raid warden

Cast (Special)

Bob Hope & Friends: Making New Memories (1991)
Bob Hope Lampoons Show Business (1990)
NBC Investigates Bob Hope (1987)
So Help Me, Aphrodite (1960)
Charlie

Cast (TV Mini-Series)

The Great Ringtail Garbage Caper (1985)
Voice
Chocolate Fever (1985)
Voice Of Louie

Life Events

1935

Made first record

1954

Worked with Bob Hope on his TV specials; accompanied him on 14 international USO tours during the Vietnam War

Family

Samantha Leeds
Granddaughter
Survived him.

Companions

Pat Leeds
Wife
Married for 34 years; survived him.

Bibliography

Notes

Received AFTRA highest honor the Gold Card in 1992