James Noble 1922-2016 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-28-2016, 09:55 PM

Link

James Noble, the actor best known for his role as the absent-minded governor on the hit 1980s sitcom “Benson,” died on Monday at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. He was 94.

His death was confirmed by Douglas Moser, a spokesman for the family, who said that Mr. Noble, who lived in Norwalk, had a stroke last week.

From 1979 to 1986, Mr. Noble played Eugene Gatling, the well-meaning but somewhat bumbling governor of an unnamed state, on the ABC series “Benson.”

The show starred Robert Guillaume, playing the same character he had played on the sitcom “Soap.” Benson was originally the governor’s “director of household affairs,” but over the course of the series he rose to state budget director and then to lieutenant governor.

The two men’s friendly if sometimes fraught working relationship was the focus of the series, which since its original run ended was seen in syndication on the Nick at Nite and TV Land cable channels.

James Wilkes Noble was born in Dallas on March 5, 1922. He studied drama and engineering at Southern Methodist University but left to join the Navy during World War II.

After the war he studied acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in New York.

Before rising to national fame on television, Mr. Noble was primarily known as a stage actor. He made his Broadway debut in a 1949 production of the comedy “The Velvet Glove” and went on to appear in four more Broadway shows, including the musical “1776,” in which he played John Hancock. He also had a small role in the 1972 film version.

His other movie and television work included the soap operas “One Life to Live” and “Another World” and the hit film “10.”

Mr. Noble’s wife, the actress Carolyn Coates, whom he met when they were both appearing in a production of “Pygmalion,” died in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Katherine Noble Cowan.

Zoneboy · 03-28-2016, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY Times

Mr. Noble’s wife, the actress Carolyn Coates, whom he met when they were both appearing in a production of “Pygmalion,” died in 2005.

Sadly, Mr. Noble's passing came exactly 11 years to the day as that of his wife. She died March 28, 2005.

mets82 · 03-29-2016, 12:08 AM

Shocked. He was pretty good on Benson. RIP.

BensonFan · 03-29-2016, 12:23 AM

So sad to hear this news.

But bless him; he lived 94 years and will live on through not only Benson, but countless other movies, soap operas, etc.

Thank you, Mr. Noble. You'll certainly never be forgotten by this fan.

Mr. Television · 03-29-2016, 07:43 AM

R.I.P. Mr. Noble. His Governor Gatling was one of TV's great characters. Loved him.

OH Nuts! · 03-29-2016, 09:22 AM

He was great as the goofy ditzy Gov, always saved by capable staff esp. Benson. RIP Mr. Noble.

Marvo301 · 03-29-2016, 02:33 PM

Governer Gatling was one of my favorite TV characters!

James Noble

340wedge · 03-29-2016, 08:29 PM

RIP Governor. My favorite all time show is Benson! The man was great in the role, as well as many others. He played a bad guy on an episode of Hart to Hart and it was so odd to see him in role opposite the type of Eugene Gatling but he was great.

JSP · 03-30-2016, 12:42 AM

R.I.P.

JR1 · 04-07-2016, 04:29 PM

We see some people passing so young (especially children), but 94? Not really anything to be "sad" about (no disrespect meant, of course- celebrate his lengthy life, rather than be sad, how I look at it.)

RIP- he was very good as the "ditzy" governor. Wish we would have had more interactions with Katherine Helmond.

Yong Fang · 04-08-2016, 09:03 AM

One nice thing about people in their 90's is that while we are sad that they have died, they died at an extremely high age and this is not a tragedy but just a fact of life. Mr. Noble lived about 15 years longer than the average American.

I was thinking about my grandmother today, who passed at the age of 93 back in 2002. I am sad that she died, but she lived a long life. We should celebrate the life and celebrate that he lived that long. Same with Abe Vigoda.

03-28-2016, 09:55 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	James Noble 1922-2016 Link James Noble, the actor best known for his role as the absent-minded governor on the hit 1980s sitcom “Benson,” died on Monday at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. He was 94. His death was confirmed by Douglas Moser, a spokesman for the family, who said that Mr. Noble, who lived in Norwalk, had a stroke last week. From 1979 to 1986, Mr. Noble played Eugene Gatling, the well-meaning but somewhat bumbling governor of an unnamed state, on the ABC series “Benson.” The show starred Robert Guillaume, playing the same character he had played on the sitcom “Soap.” Benson was originally the governor’s “director of household affairs,” but over the course of the series he rose to state budget director and then to lieutenant governor. The two men’s friendly if sometimes fraught working relationship was the focus of the series, which since its original run ended was seen in syndication on the Nick at Nite and TV Land cable channels. James Wilkes Noble was born in Dallas on March 5, 1922. He studied drama and engineering at Southern Methodist University but left to join the Navy during World War II. After the war he studied acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio in New York. Before rising to national fame on television, Mr. Noble was primarily known as a stage actor. He made his Broadway debut in a 1949 production of the comedy “The Velvet Glove” and went on to appear in four more Broadway shows, including the musical “1776,” in which he played John Hancock. He also had a small role in the 1972 film version. His other movie and television work included the soap operas “One Life to Live” and “Another World” and the hit film “10.” Mr. Noble’s wife, the actress Carolyn Coates, whom he met when they were both appearing in a production of “Pygmalion,” died in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Katherine Noble Cowan.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-29-2016, 12:08 AM	#3
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,058	Shocked. He was pretty good on Benson. RIP.
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03-29-2016, 12:23 AM	#4
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	So sad to hear this news. But bless him; he lived 94 years and will live on through not only Benson, but countless other movies, soap operas, etc. Thank you, Mr. Noble. You'll certainly never be forgotten by this fan.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

03-29-2016, 07:43 AM	#5
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	R.I.P. Mr. Noble. His Governor Gatling was one of TV's great characters. Loved him.
	__________________ Sonny

03-29-2016, 02:33 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Governer Gatling was one of my favorite TV characters! James Noble
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-29-2016, 09:22 AM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	He was great as the goofy ditzy Gov, always saved by capable staff esp. Benson. RIP Mr. Noble.

03-29-2016, 08:29 PM	#8
340wedge Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 83	RIP Governor. My favorite all time show is Benson! The man was great in the role, as well as many others. He played a bad guy on an episode of Hart to Hart and it was so odd to see him in role opposite the type of Eugene Gatling but he was great.

03-30-2016, 12:42 AM	#9
JSP Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 19, 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,735	R.I.P.

04-07-2016, 04:29 PM	#10
JR1 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 07, 2009 Location: USA Posts: 742	We see some people passing so young (especially children), but 94? Not really anything to be "sad" about (no disrespect meant, of course- celebrate his lengthy life, rather than be sad, how I look at it.) RIP- he was very good as the "ditzy" governor. Wish we would have had more interactions with Katherine Helmond.

04-08-2016, 09:03 AM	#11
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	One nice thing about people in their 90's is that while we are sad that they have died, they died at an extremely high age and this is not a tragedy but just a fact of life. Mr. Noble lived about 15 years longer than the average American. I was thinking about my grandmother today, who passed at the age of 93 back in 2002. I am sad that she died, but she lived a long life. We should celebrate the life and celebrate that he lived that long. Same with Abe Vigoda.
	Last edited by Yong Fang; 04-09-2016 at 01:52 AM.