Bob Sweeney (actor and director)

Bob Sweeney (October 19, 1918 – June 7, 1992) was an American actor, director and producer of radio, television and film.

Bob Sweeney
Sweeney with Hal March (right) in 1946.
Born(1918-10-19)October 19, 1918
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedJune 7, 1992(1992-06-07) (aged 73)
Westlake Village, California, U.S.
OccupationActor, director and producer
Years active1944–1992
Spouse(s)Bev Sweeney (?–1992)
ChildrenBridget

Early years

Bob Sweeney was a graduate of Balboa High School in San Francisco and San Francisco State College. In the early part of World War II, he and college classmate George Fenneman formed a stand-up comedy team and entertained troops at military bases.[1]

Early career on radio and television

Sweeney began his career on radio as an announcer and then became a comedian. From 1944 through 1948 he teamed with comedy partner Hal March in The Bob Sweeney-Hal March Show on CBS Radio.[1] He went on to appear as a supporting character in various sitcoms in the early days of television including the role of Gilmore Cobb in the television version of My Favorite Husband (1953–54) with co-stars Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson. Sweeney made appearances on The Rifleman and Our Miss Brooks during its last two seasons of production (1955–1956) working alongside Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, and Richard Crenna.

From 1956 to 1957, Sweeney starred with Gordon in the TV sitcom The Brothers. In 1959, he landed the lead role on the short-lived NBC television series Fibber McGee and Molly opposite Cathy Lewis. Unlike its radio counterpart, Fibber McGee failed on television and was cancelled after less than one season. During that same season, Sweeney directed the 18-week NBC sitcom Love and Marriage set in Tin Pan Alley of New York City. His co-stars were William Demarest, Stubby Kaye, Jeanne Bal, and Murray Hamilton.

Movie roles

Sweeney's most notable film credits as an actor include the role of the undertaker in John Ford's The Last Hurrah (1958), as manipulative circus manager Harry Tupper in the Disney film Toby Tyler (1960), and as smarmy advertising executive Mr. Harker in another Disney film, Son of Flubber (1963). Sweeney also appeared as Cousin Bob in Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964).

Directing and producing

Sweeney is best known for his successes as a television director and producer, most notably as the director of the 102 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and as producer and/or director of episodes of several other highly successful TV series including That Girl,[2] Hawaii Five-O, The Love Boat, Matlock, Hogan's Heroes, and Dynasty. He also directed Gene Evans's unsuccessful 1976 CBS adventure series, Spencer's Pilots. He also directed Accidental Family.[2] Sweeney was nominated for an Emmy Award three times, twice for Hawaii Five-O (1971 and 1973) and once for The Love Boat (1983).[3]

Personal details

Sweeney and his wife, Bev, had one child, a daughter, Bridget.

Death

Sweeney died of cancer in Westlake Village, California, on June 7, 1992.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1952It Grows on TreesMcGuire
1953South Sea WomanDefense Lt. Miller
1954A Christmas CarolBob Cratchitt
1953Mister ScoutmasterMr. HackettUncredited
1958The Last HurrahJohnny Degnan
1960Toby TylerHarry Tupper
1961A Raisin in the SunInsurance Company AgentUncredited
1962Moon PilotSen. Henry McGuire
1963Son of FlubberMr. Harker
1964MarnieCousin Bob
1978The IrishmanNat Simpson
1990Book of LoveMr. Snow
1991Born to RideGus, Owner of Gus's Garage(final film role)
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References
  1. Anderson, Nancy (August 28, 1977). "Funnyman Sweeney now producer". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Ohio, Cincinnati. Copley News Service. p. 147. Retrieved April 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Freeman, Donald (September 3, 1967). "Comedian-Turned-Director Is Having the Last Laugh". The Press Democrat. California, Santa Rosa. Copley News Service. p. 48. Retrieved April 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "The nomination list for Emmys". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. lsfwt. Associated Press. August 5, 1983. p. 38. Retrieved April 22, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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