Character Actor Norman Alden 1924-2012 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-29-2012, 11:34 PM

Amazingly busy through five decades, he was the voice of Aquaman and appeared in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," "Semi-Tough," "Back to the Future" and "Ed Wood."

Link

Norman Alden, a character actor who piled up a prodigious number of credits during his five decades in film and television, died July 27 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, his family reported. He was 87.

Alden appeared in several hundred television episodes, commercials and films (his family put the number at 2,500) but rarely had a regular gig, frequently playing tough guys and authority figures one show and one character at a time. Perhaps his most recognizable role was as Lou the mechanic in a series of AC Delco commercials.

Alden provided the voice of Aquaman in two Super Friends animated series in the 1970s, played outlaw Johnny Ringo in 1961 in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp opposite Hugh O'Brian and was Coach Leroy Fedders on seven episodes of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman in the mid-1970s. His character drowned face-first in a bowl of Mary's (Louise Lasser's) chicken soup.

The native of Fort Worth, Texas, got his start on The Bob Cummings Show in 1957 and would appear in scores of TV series like Honey West, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Fay, My Three Sons, My Favorite Martian, The Big Valley, The Streets of San Francisco, The Rookies, Adam-12, Combat!, Charlie's Angels, JAG and Batman, where he played one of the Joker's henchmen.

On film, Alden voiced Sir Kay in Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963) and had roles in Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), Semi-Tough (1977), Back to the Future (1985), They Live (1988), Ed Wood (1994), Patch Adams (1998) and K-Pax (2001).

Following a tour of duty in Europe during World War II, Alden attended Texas Christian University and worked at KXOL Radio as a disc jockey. He left Fort Worth in his early twenties to go to New York, won Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts and moved to Los Angeles.

Survivors include his children Brent and Ashley, his grandson Zooey and his longtime life partner, Linda Thieben.

A celebration of his life will be held in Los Angeles in August and in Fort Worth in September. The family asks that in a donation in Alden's name be made to TCU's drama department; to the department of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; or to the Frostig Center in Pasadena.

Zoneboy · 07-30-2012, 12:04 AM

D-Dey · 07-30-2012, 12:14 AM

I honestly doubted he was even alive. I've got to post this link to one of his Aquaman gigs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyfMh0Ci6SY

Imagine that. The voice of Aquaman, and the voice of his spoof character on "SpongeBob Squarepants" dying in the same summer.

I only recognized his face when I saw him on "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl."

Sad to see him go.

Zoneboy · 07-30-2012, 01:29 AM

That's 3 and all on July 27th:

Norman Alden

R.G. Armstrong

Geoffrey Hughes

Zoneboy · 07-30-2012, 03:07 AM

rcbrad · 07-30-2012, 08:18 PM

I became aware of Norman Alden when he played Blaine L W "Big Daddy" Dawson on Alice. He was Flo's ex husband who made a play for Alice.

Mr. Television · 07-30-2012, 08:55 PM

He was one of the best character actors of all time.

dakert · 07-30-2012, 10:28 PM

Norman Alden was an awesome actor. I remember him first as Polly's father probably screaming at Chip Douglas. Norman will be missed

Regulus · 07-31-2012, 06:59 AM

Norman Alden.

I watched Back to the Future last night in tribute to him.

Jude The Obscure · 08-04-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcbrad

I became aware of Norman Alden when he played Blaine L W "Big Daddy" Dawson on Alice. He was Flo's ex husband who made a play for Alice.

Just watched that episode tonight on my DVD set!

07-29-2012, 11:34 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: 34,386	Character Actor Norman Alden 1924-2012 Amazingly busy through five decades, he was the voice of Aquaman and appeared in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," "Semi-Tough," "Back to the Future" and "Ed Wood." Link Norman Alden, a character actor who piled up a prodigious number of credits during his five decades in film and television, died July 27 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles, his family reported. He was 87. Alden appeared in several hundred television episodes, commercials and films (his family put the number at 2,500) but rarely had a regular gig, frequently playing tough guys and authority figures one show and one character at a time. Perhaps his most recognizable role was as Lou the mechanic in a series of AC Delco commercials. Alden provided the voice of Aquaman in two Super Friends animated series in the 1970s, played outlaw Johnny Ringo in 1961 in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp opposite Hugh O'Brian and was Coach Leroy Fedders on seven episodes of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman in the mid-1970s. His character drowned face-first in a bowl of Mary's (Louise Lasser's) chicken soup. The native of Fort Worth, Texas, got his start on The Bob Cummings Show in 1957 and would appear in scores of TV series like Honey West, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Fay, My Three Sons, My Favorite Martian, The Big Valley, The Streets of San Francisco, The Rookies, Adam-12, Combat!, Charlie's Angels, JAG and Batman, where he played one of the Joker's henchmen. On film, Alden voiced Sir Kay in Disney's The Sword in the Stone (1963) and had roles in Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), Semi-Tough (1977), Back to the Future (1985), They Live (1988), Ed Wood (1994), Patch Adams (1998) and K-Pax (2001). Following a tour of duty in Europe during World War II, Alden attended Texas Christian University and worked at KXOL Radio as a disc jockey. He left Fort Worth in his early twenties to go to New York, won Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts and moved to Los Angeles. Survivors include his children Brent and Ashley, his grandson Zooey and his longtime life partner, Linda Thieben. A celebration of his life will be held in Los Angeles in August and in Fort Worth in September. The family asks that in a donation in Alden's name be made to TCU's drama department; to the department of cardiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; or to the Frostig Center in Pasadena.
	__________________ '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.

07-30-2012, 12:14 AM	#3
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,524	I honestly doubted he was even alive. I've got to post this link to one of his Aquaman gigs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyfMh0Ci6SY Imagine that. The voice of Aquaman, and the voice of his spoof character on "SpongeBob Squarepants" dying in the same summer. I only recognized his face when I saw him on "Electra Woman & Dyna Girl." Sad to see him go.
	__________________ Funny song parodies here: http://www.amiright.com/parody/60s/thebeatles11.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s...nstoner0.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s/weezer56.shtml http://www.amiright.com/parody/2000s/thedonnas4.shtml Petition the United States Postal Service for a stamp honoring Minoru Yamasaki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoru_Yamasaki http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/lea...-committee.htm

07-30-2012, 08:55 PM	#7
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	He was one of the best character actors of all time.
	__________________ Sonny

07-31-2012, 06:59 AM	#9
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	Norman Alden. I watched Back to the Future last night in tribute to him.
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

07-30-2012, 12:04 AM	#2
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: 34,386

07-30-2012, 01:29 AM	#4
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: 34,386	That's 3 and all on July 27th: Norman Alden R.G. Armstrong Geoffrey Hughes

07-30-2012, 03:07 AM	#5
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: 34,386

07-30-2012, 08:18 PM	#6
rcbrad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Posts: 479	I became aware of Norman Alden when he played Blaine L W "Big Daddy" Dawson on Alice. He was Flo's ex husband who made a play for Alice.

07-30-2012, 10:28 PM	#8
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Norman Alden was an awesome actor. I remember him first as Polly's father probably screaming at Chip Douglas. Norman will be missed