Buddy Lester
Biography
Buddy Lester was an American actor and comedian born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 16, 1917. Known also by the name A.B. Lester, he portrayed numerous character roles across films and television throughout his career. His work included appearances in comedy films starring Jerry Lewis, as well as regular roles on popular television shows during the 1960s and 1970s. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 43 known acting credits listed in film and television databases. Buddy Lester passed away on October 4, 2002, at the age of 85.
Career overview
Buddy Lester was an American actor and comedian born on January 16, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Known professionally by his birth name and also recognized under the alternate name A.B. Lester, he established a prolific career portraying dozens of character roles across both films and television productions.
Throughout his active career, Lester built a substantial body of work, accumulating 43 known acting credits listed on the Movie Database. He became well known for his appearances in Jerry Lewis comedy films and maintained a regular presence on popular television shows during the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing his versatility as a character actor and comedian to audiences of the era.
Lester passed away on October 4, 2002, at the age of 85. His contributions to entertainment span decades of film and television history, leaving behind a recognized legacy as a dependable character performer in classic comedy and television programming.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
47 titles- More Than Murder (1984) as Cabbie
- Smorgasbord (1983) as Passenger
- Fake-Out (1982) as The Blackjack Player
- Hardly Working (1980) as Claude Reed
- The Crash of Flight 401 (1978)
- Never Con a Killer (1977) as Poker Player
- Starsky & Hutch (1975)
- Barney Miller (1975) as Harry the Bookie
- Barney Miller (1975) as Sidney the Bookie
- Switch (1975) as Arnie Gold
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Coley
- Big Eddie (1975)
- The Man from Clover Grove (1975) as Ched Fields
- Kojak (1973) as Lenny Karp
- Poor Devil (1973) as Al Capone
- Emergency! (1972)
- Alias Smith and Jones (1971)
- Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You (1971) as Policeman
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Kennel Owner
- McCloud (1970)
- Love, American Style (1969) as Herb
- My World and Welcome to It (1969)
- Adam-12 (1968) as Neil
- Adam-12 (1968) as Victor Lamson
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Lenny Freland
- The Doris Day Show (1968) as Eddie
- The Mod Squad (1968)
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1968) as Phil Atkerson
- Mayberry R.F.D. (1968) as Charles Pierce
- The Party (1968) as Davey Kane
- The Big Mouth (1967) as Studs
- That Girl (1966)
- That Girl (1966) as Bartender
- Three on a Couch (1966) as Drunk
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964)
- The Patsy (1964) as Copa Café MC
- Petticoat Junction (1963)
- The Nutty Professor (1963) as Bartender
- The New Phil Silvers Show (1963)
- Sergeants 3 (1962) as Willie Sharpknife
- The Ladies Man (1961) as Willard C. Gainsborough
- Ocean's Eleven (1960) as Vince Massler
- The Gene Krupa Story (1959) as Himself
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- State Trooper (1956)
- Dragnet (1951)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Buddy Lester best known for?
Buddy Lester is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Sex and Zen (2002), Starsky & Hutch (1975), Barney Miller (1975), Barney Miller (1975).
When and where was Buddy Lester born?
Buddy Lester was born on January 16, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They passed away on October 4, 2002.
How many credits does Buddy Lester have?
Buddy Lester has accumulated over 47 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 1984.
What is Buddy Lester's background in cinema and television?
Buddy Lester was an American actor and comedian born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 16, 1917. Known also by the name A.B. Lester, he portrayed numerous character roles across films and television throughout his career. His work included appearances in comedy films starring Jerry Lewis, as well as regular roles on pop...
Buddy Lester by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Emergency! (1972) — aged about 55
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Kennel Owner — aged about 53
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) — aged about 58
- Barney Miller (1975) as Harry the Bookie — aged about 58
- Barney Miller (1975) as Sidney the Bookie — aged about 58
- The Party (1968) as Davey Kane — aged about 51
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