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Forrest Lewis
Forrest Lewis
Forrest Lewis
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Raymond Forrest Lewis (November 5, 1899 – June 2, 1977) was an American actor of the theater, radio, motion pictures and television.

Key Information

Early years

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Lewis was born in Knightstown, Indiana,[1] the son of Joseph Saint Lewis and Myla Leota Lewis and attended Indiana University for a year.[2] On August 23, 1917, he married Elsa Grace Cross in Knightstown. They had a son, Forrest Gallion Lewis, and eventually divorced.[citation needed]

Stage

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Lewis acted in repertory theater and then on Broadway with Lenore Ulric in Lulu Belle. He also acted in touring productions, including Broken Dishes (1930).[1]

Radio

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Lewis's roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.

Program Role
The Great Gildersleeve Peavey[3]: 136–138 
I Love a Mystery Michael[4]
Meet the Meeks Mortimer Meek[3]: 224–225 
Mystery House Dan Glenn[3]: 250 
Scattergood Baines J. Wellington Keats[3]: 296 
The Woman in My House James Carter[3]

Also in radio (1948–1950) he had parts in the anthology Destination Freedom, a series written by Richard Durham, dedicated to the retelling the lives of notable Negros in the Americas.[5]

Lewis was in the supporting cast of Family Skeleton[3]: 114  and The Roy Rogers Show.[3]: 292 

Television

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Lewis played Peavey in the syndicated television version of The Great Gildersleeve (1954–1955)[6] and Mr. Mack, the host on the ABC children's series Sandy Strong (1952).[6]: 927 

In the mid-1950s, he appeared as a deputy in the syndicated crime drama Sheriff of Cochise and its successor series, U.S. Marshal, both starring John Bromfield. He guest starred with Maudie Prickett in the episode "Brief Glory" of the syndicated Western series 26 Men, starring Tris Coffin. He appeared on a wide array of programs, ranging from the CBS Western series My Friend Flicka, set on a Wyoming ranch, to the NBC sitcom, The People's Choice, with Jackie Cooper, to the ABC's Western drama, The Man from Blackhawk, starring Robert Rockwell. He also appeared on the NBC Western series, Riverboat, starring Darren McGavin, and on the ABC sitcom, Harrigan and Son, starring Pat O'Brien, and the ABC drama series about the Roman Catholic priesthood, Going My Way.[citation needed] In 1957 Lewis appeared as Charlie Miller in the TV Western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Land Beyond the Law."[citation needed] He played Doc Blake in Wanted Dead or Alive S2 E13 "No Trail Back" which aired 11/28/1959.

Lewis was cast as the recurring character, Colby, in the 1961–1962 CBS sitcom Ichabod and Me with Robert Sterling, George Chandler, Reta Shaw, and Burt Mustin. Lewis also guest starred in the ABC/Warner Brothers Western series, Colt .45 with Wayde Preston, on the syndicated Western Mackenzie's Raiders, starring Richard Carlson, on the CBS hit comedy, The Andy Griffith Show,[7] and on the ABC sitcom, The Real McCoys, starring Walter Brennan.[8]

Death

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Lewis died from a heart attack on June 2, 1977, in Burbank, California.[9]

Partial filmography

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Forrest Lewis

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Forrest Lewis (November 5, 1899 – June 2, 1977) was an American character actor renowned for his prolific career in film, television, radio, and stage performances during the mid-20th century. Born Raymond Forrest Lewis in , he earned a degree in theatrical arts from before embarking on a professional path that included repertory theater and stage productions such as Broken Dishes and Lulu Belle. Lewis's early career featured regular roles on radio programs like I Love a Mystery and during the 1930s and 1940s, showcasing his versatile voice work in the golden age of broadcasting. Transitioning to in the 1940s, he appeared in over 100 features, often in supporting roles within comedies, dramas, and numerous Westerns, with notable credits including Gildersleeve on Broadway (1943), (1955), Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952), and The Shaggy Dog (1959). On television, from the 1950s through the 1970s, Lewis gained recognition for his recurring portrayal of Mr. Peavy in and guest appearances on popular series such as , , and various Western programs that highlighted his folksy, authoritative screen presence. A member of the , he was married to Elsa Cross Lewis from 1917 until his death in 1977, and they had one son; his ashes were scattered.

Early life

Birth and family

Forrest Lewis was born Raymond Forrest Lewis on November 5, 1899, in . He was the son of Joseph Saint Lewis (1873–1941) and Myla Leota Moffitt Lewis (1876–1958). Knightstown, a rural community in Henry County with a population of 1,942 residents in , offered a modest small-town environment typical of turn-of-the-century , where Lewis spent his amid agricultural surroundings and close-knit community life.

Education

Forrest Lewis attended in , where he pursued studies in theatrical arts. This formal training provided him with foundational knowledge in performance and , fostering his early interest in the . He attained a degree in theatrical arts from the , which directly influenced his transition to professional opportunities in repertory theater.

Career

Stage work

Following his graduation from with a degree in theatrical arts, Forrest Lewis commenced his professional career in repertory theater, honing his skills in live performances across various regional venues. This foundational experience informed his later successes in radio and beyond. In addition to his regional engagements, Lewis participated in touring productions during the late and early . His stage career, spanning the immediate post-college years through the early , provided essential training in character work and improvisation.

Radio appearances

Forrest Lewis began his radio career in the 1930s, transitioning from stage acting to voice work in scripted audio dramas during the golden age of radio. His versatile baritone voice and ability to portray folksy, everyman characters made him a sought-after performer in serials and anthologies, with appearances spanning adventure, comedy, and historical genres. In the adventure serial I Love a Mystery, Lewis portrayed Michael, a recurring character including the Viennese spy in story arcs involving international intrigue and exotic perils. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the series followed detectives Jack Packard and Doc Long as they unraveled complex mysteries, often blending suspense with supernatural elements; Lewis's episodes highlighted tense espionage plots, such as pursuits across Europe and Asia, where Michael's cunning and accented delivery added layers of deception and drama. He reprised the role in later broadcasts, including during the show's 1949–1952 revival on the Mutual Broadcasting System, enhancing the serial's reputation for serialized thrills that captivated audiences with cliffhanger resolutions. Lewis also contributed to the groundbreaking anthology Destination Freedom from 1948 to 1950, a Chicago-based WMAQ series written by Richard Durham that dramatized the achievements of African American historical figures to promote racial understanding. In this , he took on dramatic roles in biographical episodes, such as portraying architect in "The Houses That Paul Built" (February 27, 1949), where he depicted the innovator's rise from humble beginnings to designing landmarks for Hollywood elites despite racial barriers. His performances in the series, which aired weekly and featured over 80 episodes, underscored themes of resilience and contribution, aligning with the show's mission to counter through authentic storytelling. Throughout his radio tenure, Lewis appeared in over a dozen programs, including supporting parts in Meet the Meeks, Scattergood Baines, and Mystery House, amassing hundreds of episodes that showcased his range before the medium's decline in the 1950s. This body of work solidified his status as a reliable character actor in audio theater.

Television roles

Forrest Lewis began his television career in the early 1950s, coinciding with the medium's rapid expansion in American households, transitioning from radio and stage work to guest spots and supporting roles in episodic series. His portrayals often featured affable, everyday characters such as postmen, shopkeepers, and townsfolk, fitting the era's emphasis on relatable small-town narratives and western adventures. Over his career, Lewis accumulated more than 100 television credits, with a particular concentration in westerns like Cheyenne and Wanted: Dead or Alive, as well as variety and sitcom formats that highlighted his warm, avuncular presence. One of Lewis's early television roles was as Mr. Mack, the host of the ABC children's series Sandy Strong in 1952. The program, aimed at young audiences, featured educational content and adventures centered around the title character, a boy detective, with Mr. Mack serving as a guiding adult figure who introduced segments and interacted with the young cast to promote moral lessons and fun storytelling. Lewis reprised his radio character as Peavey, the gossipy postman, in the syndicated television adaptation of from 1954 to 1955. Unlike the long-running radio version, where Peavey was a staple comic foil known for his meddlesome chatter and loyalty to the bumbling Gildersleeve, the TV iteration was a shorter-lived visual comedy that retained the character's quirky demeanor but adapted it for on-screen antics in the fictional town of Summerfield, emphasizing physical humor and ensemble interactions. In the late , Lewis made notable guest appearances in popular western series. He portrayed in the Cheyenne episode "Land Beyond the Law" (season 2, episode 10), aired January 15, 1957, where his character aided the protagonist in navigating a tense outlaw hideout scenario amid themes of and escape. Similarly, in Wanted: Dead or Alive, he played Doc Blake in the episode "No Trail Back" (season 2, episode 13), broadcast November 28, 1959, depicting a compassionate physician dealing with a outbreak and moral dilemmas in a town. Lewis also appeared multiple times on , including as Cy Hudgins in "The Loaded Goat" (season 4, episode 6, 1963), a victimized by a mischievous animal; Willie Jack in "Gomer the House Guest" (season 4, episode 8, 1963), a rural neighbor adding to the comedic household chaos; and Luther in "A Sermon for Today" (season 4, episode 11, 1963), a churchgoer contributing to the episode's exploration of community and temptation. These roles showcased his skill in bringing depth to brief, memorable supporting parts in the show's idyllic setting. Lewis's most sustained television commitment came in the CBS sitcom Ichabod and Me (1961–1962), where he had a recurring role as Colby, the owner of Colby's Seed and Fertilizer store in the small of Phippsburg. As part of the ensemble supporting newspaper editor (), Colby's character provided folksy wisdom and through his practical, down-to-earth interactions with the town's eccentric residents, evolving from a peripheral to a reliable who highlighted themes of rural life and intergenerational bonds across the series' 26 episodes.

Film roles

Forrest Lewis began his career in the early , appearing in over 25 motion pictures through the as a reliable in supporting roles. His work often featured him as amiable authority figures, neighbors, or townsfolk, contributing to the ensemble dynamics of dramas, comedies, and especially westerns during Hollywood's of genre filmmaking. Spanning a 42-year tenure that bridged radio, , and screen, Lewis's contributions emphasized subtle, grounded performances that enhanced narrative depth without drawing focus from leads. Among his earliest roles, Lewis portrayed Martin Quinn, a family acquaintance involved in a lighthearted inheritance scheme, in the Universal comedy Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952), directed by and starring . Three years later, in Sirk's melodrama (1955), he played Mr. Weeks, a concerned suburban neighbor commenting on the social tensions surrounding Jane Wyman's widowed character. These early appearances established Lewis as a versatile supporting player adept at conveying everyday realism in American stories. Lewis's filmography is particularly noted for its concentration in westerns, where he embodied rustic lawmen, doctors, and locals in over a dozen titles, reflecting the genre's popularity from the onward. In (1953), a 3D revenge tale with and , he appeared in a minor but atmospheric role amid stagecoach hijackings and . He followed with Banty Jones, a prospector sidekick, in the adventure The Spoilers (1955), opposite in a conflict. Later western highlights include coroner Jake Kelley in the taut thriller Man in the Shadow (1957), directed by Jack Arnold and starring as a sheriff confronting corruption; storekeeper Mr. Hirshie in (1958), a comedic oater with ; and Dr. Welles, aiding a posse in the gritty (1961), where leads a manhunt. Beyond westerns, Lewis diversified into family comedies and sci-fi, showcasing his range in lighter fare. As Officer Kelly in Disney's The Shaggy Dog (1959), he provided comic relief as a bemused policeman dealing with a boy's canine transformations. In the horror quickie (1959), he depicted the town sheriff investigating mysterious coastal killings. His later films included the bumbling Skaggs, a shop assistant, in Howard Hawks's Man's Favorite Sport? (1964), starring , and Peter, a sly con artist partner, in the comedy Skin Game (1971) with and Lou Gossett Jr. These roles underscored Lewis's as the foil, often overlapping with his television western guest spots in evoking authenticity.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Lewis married stage and radio actress Elsa G. Cross in 1917. The couple had one son, Forrest G. "Tommy" Lewis (1918–1990). They remained married until Elsa's death in 1972. Limited public information exists regarding Lewis's family life or any subsequent relationships after Elsa's passing.

Death

Forrest Lewis died on June 2, 1977, from complications of a heart attack in , at the age of 77. Having retired from acting in 1973 after a career spanning 42 years, Lewis devoted his final years to charitable and religious activities. He was cremated following his death, with his ashes scattered.
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