Percy Helton (1894 - 1971)

One of the most familiar voices and faces in Hollywood, Percy Helton was born in New York City, New York, on January 31, 1894. He began acting as a young child at the age of two, appearing in his father's vaudeville act. He appeared in many Broadway plays as a child actor before joining the U.S. Army to serve in World War I. He appeared on film in 1947's Miracle on 34th Street, playing a drunken Santa Claus. Over his career he appeared in many movies, including Call Northside 777 in 1948, Criss Cross in 1949, Abbott & Costello Met the Killer Boris Karloff in 1949, How to Marry a Millionaire in 1953, White Christmas in 1954, Jailhouse Rock in 1957, Where the Boys Are in 1960, The Music Man in 1962, Hush. . .Hush, Sweet Charlotte in 1964, The Sons of Katie Elder in 1965 and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969.

The short actor with a hoarse, raspy voice and breathy delivery was a fixture in a wide range of films and TV programs. He appeared in episodes of Bonanza, The Life of Riley, The Wild Wild West, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, Mister Ed, The Fugitive, Gunsmoke, Green Acres, and Perry Mason, where he made three guest appearances.

Percy Helton died of natural causes in Hollywood, California, on Setember 11, 1971, at the age of 77.