The Aubuchon Way

Jacques Aubuchon (1924-1991) was an American character actor who kept busy from the 1950s through the 1980s. He is primarily known for his roles in a wide variety of television series.

Though Aubuchon spent most of his career on the small screen, he was in a handful of films, including Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953), The Silver Chalice (1954), and Thunder Road (1958) to name three. His roles varied from Westerns to modern-day dramas to comedies. His first television appearance was on the comedy Mr. Peepers (1953). He could play an informant, an outlaw, or a criminal. He somewhat specialized in untrustworthy individuals, even in comedies. His mastery of dialects made him a popular casting choice. Aubuchon perhaps is best known for his seven appearances on the wacky comedy McHale's Navy (1962-64) as the hilarious Chief Urulu.

Above, left is Jacques Aubuchon with actor J.D. Cannon 

The Definition of Burly

 

Richard Reeves (1912-1967) was an American character actor whose height, heavy build, and general "tough guy" appearance led to being frequently cast as bullies, robbers, and mob enforcers in modern crime dramas, as well as in many Westerns and even sitcoms. When he was not menacing, he could play a not-so-bright lug in comedies.

Reeves grew up in an affluent section of Queens, New York, and studied music in school. At 18, he worked as a seaman in the 1930s aboard ships on the New York-Havana route. He kept busy in the 1940s in countless films, often uncredited. But it was television viewers that recognized the face for appearing on nearly every western during the 1950s, whether it was The Lone Ranger, Zorro, The Roy Rogers Show, Sugarfoot, Maverick, Tales of Wells Fargo, Bat Masterson, or Tombstone Territory. 

A Man in Demand

 

Peter Leeds (1917-1996) was an American actor, appearing on television more than 8,000 times with over 3,000 radio credits using his distinct voice. Hollywood and Leeds were connected at the hip. The bulk of his work took place in the 1950s and 1960s when he became highly visible as a straight man to many well-known television comedians including Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, and Johnny Carson. His dramatic credits include Richard Diamond, Private Detective, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, and M Squad among others. Westerns were a staple for Leeds appearing on Have Gun - Will Travel, Trackdown, and Wagon Train, and a number of lesser-known series.

Though typically uncredited, his mid-century film career was equally busy, playing everything from a police officer, detective, educator, car salesman, or any number of associates or professionals.

Note: Leeds is pictured above, right, with Robert Middleton on an episode of Bonanza.

Not Aiming for Subtle

Robert Strauss (1913-1975) was an American Broadway and film character actor arguably best known for his prolific television work. But he hit instant stardom in 1953 on the big screen as Stanislas "Animal" Kuzawa in Stalag 17 —a role he created in the original Broadway production two years earlier—for which he garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His character set the stage for numerous quirky military roles to follow, like Kelly's Heroes or M.A.S.H. The year before he played CPO Lardoski in Sailor Beware and Sgt. McClusky in Jumping Jacks, for the Martin and Lewis comedies. In 1954, he was back in the military for The Bridges at Toko-Ri, then joined Mickey Rooney as half of the lame-brained duo in the wacky comedy, The Atomic Kid here. By the late Fifties, mobster roles became more common. Even in comedies.

For being such a bombastic performer, it seemed logical to spread his work all over living rooms in America where he made the small screen seem bigger. From television's early days of anthology series such as Studio One, or The Alcoa Hour, viewers found him difficult to forget. He made appearances on Medic, hosted and sometimes starring Richard Boone, and was naturally in uniform for The Phil Silvers Show. Westerns somewhat broke any Strauss stereotypes, and he guest-starred on Wanted: Dead or Alive, Stagecoach West, Bat Masterson, and Wagon Train, to only name three. By the Sixties, silly comedies included Strauss in The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and others. He was a cast member on Mona McCluskey, opposite Juliet Prowse and Denny Miller, as Sgt. Stan Gruzewsky. Strauss finished out the decade guesting on comedies in the likes of Get Smart, Mr. Terrific, and The Monkees.

By 1975, it was back to the silver screen for the post-apocalyptic film, The Noah. Not only was it his last performance it was also a rare starring role as the last human on earth, the title character. Strauss is the loan performer in this incredibly forgotten film. A tough assignment any way you slice it. However, his career had long since solidified him as one of the most famous and polarizing character actors of his era.

Note: Above photo of Robert Strauss, William Holden, and Harvey Lembeck in Stalag 17.