Dave Willock

David Willock (August 13, 1909 – November 12, 1990) was an American character actor. Willock appeared in 181 films and television series from 1939 to 1989.

Dave Willock
Willock (left) with Cliff Arquette on Dave and Charley, 1952.
Born
David Willock

(1909-08-13)August 13, 1909
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 1990(1990-11-12) (aged 81)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesDave "Tugwell" Willock
OccupationActor
Years active1931–1979
Spouse(s)Lota B. (Rae) Butler (1934–1990) (his death) (5 children)

Biography

Born in 1909, Willock began his professional career in vaudeville in 1931, teaming with his boyhood friend Jack Carson in a comedy song and dance routine. For a time in the mid-1930s he was a reporter and editor for a Milwaukee newspaper.[1] He first appeared on screen in Good Girls Go to Paris (1939), in an uncredited bit part.[2]

He teamed with Carson again when Carson invited him to write for his radio show; Willock wrote and played the part of Carson's nephew Tugwell on The Jack Carson Show from 1943–1949.[1] Willock and Cliff Arquette had their own radio and television shows in the early 1950s. Both versions were called Dave and Charley; the radio version was heard circa 1950, but the television version of it was on the air for only three months in early 1952.[3]

In the 1961–1962 season, he played Harvey Clayton, father of the 1920s teenager Margie Clayton, portrayed by Cynthia Pepper in ABC's Margie.[3] He appeared on an episode of Dragnet as an ex-vaudevillean who is cheated out of $9,000 that he found on a sidewalk. In 1966, he had an uncredited role as the bartender in the Elvis Presley vehicle Frankie and Johnny. Willock is probably most familiar to modern audiences from his performance as Baby Jane Hudson's father in the opening scenes of the cult classic What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). He played seven different characters on CBS's Green Acres with Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, mostly portraying clerks or elevator operators.

Willock also did voice acting for animated roles, such as the offscreen narrator on Wacky Races (1968) and as father Augustus "Gus" Holiday on The Roman Holidays (1972). Willock appeared in a classic 1970 television commercial for "The Great American Soups", directed by American satirist Stan Freberg, alongside tap-dancing star Ann Miller.

He died of complications due to stroke on November 12, 1990 at the age of 81.[4] He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.[5] For his contribution to the television industry, Dave Willock has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6358 Hollywood Boulevard.[6]

Selected filmography
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References
  1. Foster, Charles (2003). Once Upon a Time in Paradise: Canadians in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Dundurn. pp. 60–63. ISBN 978-1-55002-464-7.
  2. Erickson, Hal. "Dave Willock". Movies & TV. New York Times. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  3. Leszczak, Bob (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948–1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. pp. 33, 115–117. ISBN 978-0-7864-9305-0.
  4. Folkart, Burt A. (November 14, 1990). "Dave Willock, 81; 5 Decades of Sidekick Roles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
  5. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-7864-0983-9.
  6. "Dave Willock". Hollywood Star Walk. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-10-11.
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