George Mathews (actor)

George Mathews (October 10, 1911 – November 7, 1984) was an American actor whose career stretched from an uncredited appearance in Stage Door Canteen in 1943 to Going Home in 1971.[1] Burly, heavy-featured, and tall (6' 1.5") he had an extensive career on stage which began in the early 1930s, when he failed to get a job with the U.S. Mail. He joined the W.P.A. Theatre, and landed a key role in the play Processional (1937) as Dynamite Jim.

George Mathews
Mathews in the 1956 film The Last Wagon
Born(1911-10-10)October 10, 1911
New York City, U.S.
DiedNovember 7, 1984(1984-11-07) (aged 73)
Caesars Head, South Carolina, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1933–1972
Spouse(s)Mary Hayneworth

With his broad face, strong eyebrows, pug nose, and jutting lower lip, Mathews was often cast as heavies or hardened military types. He appeared in both the stage (1942–43) and film version (1944) of The Eve of St. Mark, as Sergeant Ruby. He also succeeded in effectively portraying comic thugs, which he did in Pat and Mike (1952), starring Katharine Hepburn, and in the Garson Kanin-directed musical comedy Do Re Mi (1960–62), as Fatso O'Rear, starring Phil Silvers. In 1962 he played Stryker in Have Gun - Will Travel, Season 6, Episode 6.[2] He also demonstrated his comedic talent in the short-lived television comedy series Glynis (1963), playing ex-cop Chick Rogers, who assists a mystery writer and amateur sleuth, played by Glynis Johns, in solving "whodunnits", He was also in the Broadway play Catch Me If You Can in 1965. Perhaps his most memorable role was as Harvey in The Bensonhurst Bomber episode of The Honeymooners. He also played the bar owner, John Shanssey, who helped Doc Holiday from hanging in "Gunfight At The OK Corral".

Mathews retired from the screen in 1972 and died from heart disease in Caesars Head, South Carolina in November 1984.[3] He was married to stage actress Mary (Haynsworth) Mathews from 1951 until his death in 1984.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1943Stage Door CanteenMarine Sergeant with Ray BolgerUncredited
1944Up in ArmsBlackie
1944The Eve of St. MarkSgt. Ruby
1944Wing and a PrayerDooley
1944WilsonArmy SergeantUncredited
1945The Corn Is GreenTrap DriverUncredited
1945The Great John L.John Flood
1952Pat and MikeSpec Cauley
1952Sally and Saint AnneFather Kennedy
1952Yankee BuccaneerChief Petty Officer Link
1953Last of the ComanchesRomany O'Rattigan
1953City Beneath the SeaCapt. Meade aka Ralph Sorensen
1953Act of LoveHenderson
1954The Great Diamond RobberyDuke Fargoh
1955The Man with the Golden ArmWilliams
1956The Proud OnesDillon
1956The Last WagonSheriff Bull Harper
1957Gunfight at the O.K. CorralJohn Shanssey
1958The BuccaneerPyke
1960Heller in Pink TightsSam Pierce
1971Going HomeMalloy(final film role)
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References
  1. George Mathews on IMDb
  2. http://transgalaxy.com/tvshows/HaveGunWillTravel/
  3. "George Mathews, 73, Actor On Broadway And In Movies", The New York Times, November 13, 1984.
  4. Obituary of Mary H. Matthews, The Greenville News, May 7, 2011 (reprinted at legacy.com).



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