Just saw the first episode of LITB on TVLand. Question???-Who was the classic character actor who played Gus? Thanks. mcvitie@yahoo.com

As far as I know it was Bert Mustin, but I could be wrong. I remember him being on quite a few shows right up til the early 70s, doing minor parts. You could always spot him he was one of a kind.

Yes, Burt Mustin did in fact play the part of Gus the Fireman during the entire run of Leave It To Beaver.

Most interesting enough, though, is that there was another actor, named Will Wright, who played a firefighter named Pete in the episode "Child Care." Burt first appeared as Gus in the episode "Beaver Gets 'spelled," which was episode #3 when it was originally ran. "Child Care" was #18. I wonder if they tried out both actors for the part of the firefighter, just to see how good each of them were. Then, Burt won out because he was better? I'm not sure if that's really the reason behind it, but it's a logical explanation. :cool:

Another interesting tid-bit, Will Wright played evil store-owner Ben Weaver in the Andy Griffith Show. :)

Out of the two actors that was Gus, I'd say Burt did the best job. If I see Will Wright in something I immediately picture cranky Ben Weaver. lol That's what happens when you see people that you know from certain roles in different shows. :)

I know this sounds stupid,:o but is he still alive???????

No, Burt Mustin passed away in 1977.

Its amazing when you think that Bert was born in 1884 and already 73 in 1957.

Its amazing when you think that Bert was born in 1884 and already 73 in 1957.
What is even more amazing is that another fine character actor, Charles Lane
(best known as Homer Bedloe on PETTICOAT JUNCTION) will turn 101 on the
26th of this month.

That is more amazing, I didnt know he was still alive!!

at last years TV Land Awards they did a celebration for Charles Lane. They gave him a cake for his 100th birthday. He did not look bad at all.

I think its neat that Burt Mustin's first screen credit happened when he was 67.

Another amazing thing about Charles Lane -- his first movie was back in 1931,
called "Smart Money" and starred Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. He was also in movies like "Mighty Joe Young" and "The Music Man" and "It's A Wonderful Life." I know he was on the Phyllis Diller show "The Pruitts of Southampton," which was a Beverly Hillbillies in reverse (rich family becomes poor). I also believe he had a recurring role on "Dennis the Menace." (Mr. Krinky or some name like that?)

Gus also played on the Andy Griffith show a few times.

Charles Lane was also a regular on Peter Lawford's DEAR PHOEBE (1954-1956),
KAREN (1975) starring Karen Valentine, and THE LUCY SHOW (1962-1963).