Joseph Kearns on Ozzie and Harriet

[Dobson and Kelly]

Joseph Kearns, who went on to play Mr. Wilson in Dennis the Menace, appeared many times on Ozzie and Harriet and other TV shows in the 1950's. On Ozzie and Harriet, I recall him as a druggist, sailor on a ship and a restaurant manager. While watching Burns and Allen recently, I noticed he played multiple parts also. Since both Ozzie and George Burns had the final say in the shows, I wonder if they also cast the players the wanted and also wrote parts with certain actors in mind?

[70s show watcher]

i know that he worked with burns and allen on their radio show too

[Dobson and Kelly]

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

i know that he worked with burns and allen on their radio show too

There must have been quite a few opportunities for radio veterans to work on TV in the 1950's.

[McGillicuddy]

He also appeared on I Love Lucy twice.

[OH Nuts!]

He was a fine character actor who appeared/guested on many shows from the 50s (Jack Benny, Our Miss Brooks and The Real McCoys, to name a few). I know I really enjoyed him on The Adv. of O & H and of course Dennis The Menace which is currently airing on Antenna TV in my area. I can still hear him exclaiming GREAT SCOTT! lol at his latest exasperation with Dennis.

[ILUVO&H]

Well we know when it came to casting friends for Dave and Rick, Ozzie would use a lot of their real life friends.

I don't know much about George, but I think Ozzie hired and featured actors he wanted. There are tons of the same character actors who are used over and over in bit parts on the show.

Frank Cady was featured in a few bit parts on the series before he became a regular part of Ozzie's Posse as Doc Williams.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by ILUVO&H

Well we know when it came to casting friends for Dave and Rick, Ozzie would use a lot of their real life friends.

I don't know much about George, but I think Ozzie hired and featured actors he wanted. There are tons of the same character actors who are used over and over in bit parts on the show.

Frank Cady was featured in a few bit parts on the series before he became a regular part of Ozzie's Posse as Doc Williams.

As was Ben Bennett, who was in A LOT of the eps.

[Hazel Anyday]

I recently saw Joe Kearns playing one of Ozzie's card playing buddies and he really acted just like Mr. Wilson in it too. He was grouchy and yelled at one of the guys in the card group when he made him mad. I think Mr. Wilson and Joe Kearns had the same personality, he was just a naturally grouchy guy. I have always loved old series with grouchy old men, I Love Lucy's Fred, My 3 Son's Uncle Charlie and Bub, Danny Thomas's Uncle Tonoose, Dennis' Mr. Wilson, Pet. Junction's Uncle Joe, well you get the idea, these are my favorites.