Deputy Inspector, Frank E. Lugar

James Gregory (1911-2002) was an American character actor of Broadway, television and known for playing brash film roles like Schaffer in Al Capone (1959), Sen. John Iselin in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), and the audacious General Ursus in Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). Yet Gregory sunk his career almost entirely in television in lead and supporting roles. His deep, gravelly voice was unmistakable and his delivery, at times, would explode from a mumbling quietness (as if an aside to the script) to a booming foghorn. By the mid-Fifties, midst his small-screen work, he appeared in a few second-string crime/drama films, such as the angry jealous husband in, The Scarlet Hour (1956), a crime boss in, The Big Caper (1957) and an insurance agent in Nightfall (1956). He is likely remembered for playing Dean Martin's superior in the Matt Helm secret agent spoof film series, but less so in the one-off Elvis Presley film, Clambake (1967). 

Though periodically surrounded by comedy, it was not until 1975 did viewers witness his comedic expertise on the hit, Barney Miller, his first full-time foray into comedy as the philosophical, blunt, bow-tie-wearing, and slightly loopy, Deputy Inspector, Frank Lugar. The Inspector could be lovable, annoying, ingratiating, exasperating, and, of course, humorous. Rambling, often lost in thought, and unapologetic, most often referred to Ron Carey's character, Officer Levitt,  as Levene. Lugar is unabashedly old-school and drops by the precinct for a chat with his best pal, Barney, in his office as if it were a high-level meeting. It quickly becomes apparent he is simply a lonely guy, still living in his formative years. He might reminisce about his former police partner, share frank opinions or randomly start humming a tune---lilting on the high notes---with an excellent command of every note, by the way. Lugar increased his on-screen presence after the death of Jack Soo to a slightly more obnoxious level. One gets the feeling this is a role he had been wanting to play his whole career but was never given the chance. Gregory's timing and comic gestures are a sign of a true professional and I like to imagine the cast was in awe when working with him. Lugar remains his signature role, all coming about a decade before another signature role, Lt. Frank Drebin.