Charles Lane
Biography
Charles Lane was an American character actor born Charles Gerstle Levison on January 26, 1905. His career spanned 77 years, during which he appeared in over 250 films. He frequently collaborated with director Frank Capra, appearing in You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and Riding High (1950). Lane was a recurring performer on Lucille Ball's television series, including I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, and The Lucy Show, often portraying authority figures and comedic antagonists to Ball's characters. He delivered his final performance as a narrator in 2006 at age 101, shortly before his death on July 9, 2007.
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Full filmography
- Legends (2006) as Roy (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The History of Hooterville (2005) as Self
- TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003)
- The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995) as Regent Yarborough
- A Bewitched Christmas (1994) as Jesse Mortimer
- Acting on Impulse (1993) as Bellhop
- Dark Shadows (1991) as Antique Dealer
- Shannon's Deal (1990)
- Date with an Angel (1987) as Father O'Shea
- L.A. Law (1986) as Walter Graf
- When the Bough Breaks (1986) as Van der Graaf
- The Comedy Factory (1985) as George McCloskey
- Otherworld (1985) as Velcrows Widley
- Murphy's Romance (1985) as Amos Abbott
- Hunter (1984) as Motel Owner
- The Winds of War (1983) as William Standley
- Strange Invaders (1983) as Prof. Hollister
- Sunset Limousine (1983) as Reinhammer
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Richard Welte
- The Devlin Connection (1982)
- Strange Behavior (1981) as Donovan
- The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies (1981) as Chief
- The Little Dragons (1980) as J.J.
- Mork & Mindy (1978)
- Movie Movie (1978) as Judge / Mr. Pennington
- Lou Grant (1977)
- Lou Grant (1977) as Mort Farber
- Soap (1977) as Judge Petrillo
- Weekend Special (1977)
- Sybil (1976) as Dr. Quinoness
- One Day at a Time (1975)
- Long Way Home (1975)
- The Family Holvak (1975)
- Karen (1975)
- Little House on the Prairie (1974)
- Chico and the Man (1974)
- Rhoda (1974)
- Adam's Rib (1973) as Mayor
- Hitched (1973) as Round Tree
- Maude (1972)
- The Rookies (1972)
- Temperatures Rising (1972) as Fulton Briggs
- Get to Know Your Rabbit (1972) as Mr. Beeman
- The Sandy Duncan Show (1972)
- The Great Man's Whiskers (1972) as Philbrick
- The Odd Couple (1970) as Sid
- The Aristocats (1970) as Lawyer (voice)
- Nanny and the Professor (1970)
- The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969)
- My Dog, the Thief (1969) as Mr. Pfeiffer
- The Doris Day Show (1968) as Judge Carter
- What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968) as Dr. Shapiro
- The Flying Nun (1967)
- Judd, for the Defense (1967)
- He & She (1967) as Mr. Simpson
- The Gnome-Mobile (1967) as Dr. Scoggins
- Love on a Rooftop (1966)
- The Pruitts of Southampton (1966) as Maxwell
- The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) as Whitlow
- The Ugly Dachshund (1966) as Judge
- The Wild Wild West (1965) as Roger Creed
- Get Smart (1965) as Uncle Abner
- Green Acres (1965) as Mr. Wilson
- Honey West (1965) as Ash
- F Troop (1965)
- Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1965) as Man
- Billie (1965) as Coach Jones
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) as Editor
- Bewitched (1964) as Mr. Cushman
- Bewitched (1964) as Jessie Mortimer
- Bewitched (1964) as Mr. Roland
- Bewitched (1964) as Harold Jameson
- Bewitched (1964) as Ed Hotchkiss
- Bewitched (1964) as Mr. Harmon
- Bewitched (1964) as Shotwell
- Bewitched (1964) as George Meiklejohn
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) as Charlie
- The Munsters (1964)
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) as Ralph Harrison
- Wendy and Me (1964)
- Looking for Love (1964) as Director
- The Cara Williams Show (1964)
- Good Neighbor Sam (1964) as Jack Bailey
- The Bing Crosby Show (1964)
- The Carpetbaggers (1964) as Eugene Denby
- Rendezvous in Space (1964) as Interviewee
- The New Interns (1964) as Connors
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) as Charles Eckhardt
- Petticoat Junction (1963) as Homer Bedloe
- Burke's Law (1963) as Dr. Lusk
- The Farmer's Daughter (1963)
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) as Airport Manager
- The Bill Dana Show (1963)
- Papa's Delicate Condition (1963) as Mr. Cosgrove
- The Wheeler Dealers (1963) as Judge (uncredited)
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Foster Phinney
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Billy Hacker
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as Homer Bedloe
- The Lucy Show (1962) as Mr. Barnsdahl
- The Music Man (1962) as Constable
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1962)
- Mister Ed (1961)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1961)
- Alcatraz Express (1961)
- The New Bob Cummings Show (1961)
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) as Mr. Frisby
- Surfside 6 (1960)
- Surfside 6 (1960) as Cyrus Radford
- Pete and Gladys (1960)
- Guestward, Ho! (1960)
- The Tab Hunter Show (1960)
- The Comedy Spot (1960)
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Mr. Peckinpaugh
- Dennis the Menace (1959)
- Dennis the Menace (1959) as Lawrence Finch
- The Untouchables (1959) as Alcatraz Official (uncredited)
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959)
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959) as Chester L. Wayzack, Esq.
- The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959) as Dr. Shelley
- But Not for Me (1959) as Al Atwood
- The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock (1959) as Standard Bates
- The Mating Game (1959) as Inspector General Bigelow
- Fibber McGee & Molly (1959) as Salesman
- The Donna Reed Show (1958)
- Lawman (1958)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
- The Ann Sothern Show (1958)
- Teacher's Pet (1958) as Roy
- Perry Mason (1957) as Dr. Williams
- Maverick (1957) as Proprietor
- The Real McCoys (1957)
- The Real McCoys (1957) as Mr. Leland
- Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957) as Lt. Kevin Anders (uncredited)
- Bachelor Father (1957)
- Whirlybirds (1957)
- The Thin Man (1957)
- The Restless Gun (1957) as Mayor Peter Mercer
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Claims Clerk (uncredited)
- The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (1957) as Customs Officer (uncredited)
- God Is My Partner (1957) as Judge Warner
- The Gale Storm Show (1956) as Pierce
- On Trial (1956)
- The Birds and the Bees (1956) as Charlie Jenkins
- The Millionaire (1955) as Simon Whipple
- The People's Choice (1955)
- Screen Director's Playhouse (1955)
- Star Stage (1955)
- Studio 57 (1954) as Henry
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Mr. Pfeiffer
- Dear Phoebe (1954) as Mr. Fosdick
- Willy (1954)
- Topper (1953) as Mr. Kittler
- Remains to Be Seen (1953) as Delapp
- The Juggler (1953) as Rosenberg
- The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) as Prof. Obispo
- Today (1952) as Self
- The Sniper (1952) as Loud Drunk at Club
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Mr. Stanley
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Casting Director
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Passport Office Clerk
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Mr. Hickox
- I Can Get It for You Wholesale (1951) as Herman Pulvermacher (uncredited)
- Here Comes the Groom (1951) as FBI Agent Ralph Burchard (uncredited)
- Criminal Lawyer (1951) as Frederick Waterman
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Walter Medford
- Riding High (1950) as Erickson
- The Second Face (1950) as Mr. Westcott
- The Yellow Cab Man (1950) as L.A. Casualty Co. Executive (uncredited)
- Backfire (1950) as Dr. Nolan (uncredited)
- Mighty Joe Young (1949) as Producer (uncredited)
- You're My Everything (1949) as Mr. Eddie Pflum
- Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) as Mr. Woodruff (uncredited)
- The House Across the Street (1949) as Apartment Manager (uncredited)
- Call Northside 777 (1948) as Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
- Smart Woman (1948) as Reporter
- The Boy with Green Hair (1948)
- Apartment for Peggy (1948) as Prof. Collins (uncredited)
- Race Street (1948) as Switchboard Operator Clerk (uncredited)
- State of the Union (1948) as Blink Moran
- Moonrise (1948) as Mr. Chandler
- Out of the Storm (1948) as Mr. Evans
- The Gentleman from Nowhere (1948) as Fenmore
- Louisiana (1947) as McCormack
- It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947) as Landlord (uncredited)
- Living in a Big Way (1947) as Hawkins (uncredited)
- Intrigue (1947) as Hotel Desk Clerk
- Bury Me Dead (1947) as Brighton
- Roses Are Red (1947) as Lipton
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Real Estate Salesman
- A Close Call for Boston Blackie (1946) as Hack Hagen (uncredited)
- The Invisible Informer (1946) as Nick Steele
- Mysterious Intruder (1946) as Detective Burns
- Just Before Dawn (1946) as Dr. Steiner (uncredited)
- Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) as Reporter at Marriage License Office
- Mission to Moscow (1943) as Man in Kitchenin Montage (uncredited)
- Thru Different Eyes (1942) as Mott
- They All Kissed the Bride (1942) as Spotter
- Obliging Young Lady (1942) as Private Detective Smith
- About Face (1942) as Rental Car Manager
- Sealed Lips (1942) as Attorney Emanuel 'Manny' T. Dixon
- Born to Sing (1942) as Johnny
- The Mad Martindales (1942) as Virgil Hickling
- Flying Tigers (1942) as Repkin (uncredited)
- A Close Call for Ellery Queen (1942) as Coroner
- Lady in a Jam (1942) as Government Man (uncredited)
- A Gentleman at Heart (1942) as Holloway
- The Lady Is Willing (1942) as K.K. Miller
- What's Cookin'? (1942) as K.D. Reynolds
- Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942) as Sargent's Lawyer Gould Beaton
- Friendly Enemies (1942) as Braun
- Broadway (1942) as Hungry Harry
- Broadway (1942) as Hungry Harry (uncredited)
- Sunday Punch (1942) as Ringside spectator at Ole's first fight (uncredited)
- Pardon My Sarong (1942) as Bus Company Superintendent (uncredited)
- The Adventures of Martin Eden (1942) as Mr. White
- Home in Wyomin' (1942) as Newspaper Editor
- Back Street (1941) as Reporter for Associated News
- Sis Hopkins (1941) as Mayor's aide
- Appointment for Love (1941) as Smith (uncredited)
- Ball of Fire (1941) as Larsen
- The Great Man's Lady (1941) as Pierce (uncredited)
- Three Girls About Town (1941) as Mortician
- Birth of the Blues (1941) as Wilbur - Bijou Theater Manager (uncredited)
- Buy Me That Town (1941) as J. Montague Gainsborough
- I Wake Up Screaming (1941) as Keating- Florist
- Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery (1941) as Doc Prouty
- Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime (1941) as Dr. Prouty (coroner)
- Barnacle Bill (1941) as Auctioneer
- The Big Store (1941) as Finance Company Man (uncredited)
- New York Town (1941) as Census Taker (uncredited)
- You're the One (1941) as Announcer
- Ride 'Em Cowboy (1941) as Martin Manning (uncredited)
- Repent at Leisure (1941) as Clarence Morgan
- Primrose Path (1940) as Mr. Smith (uncredited)
- Johnny Apollo (1940) as Assistant D.A.
- We Who Are Young (1940) as Perkins
- Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) as Charlie Graham
- The Texas Rangers Ride Again (1940) as Train Passenger (uncredited)
- The Great Profile (1940) as Director
- The Doctor Takes a Wife (1940) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Queen of the Mob (1940) as Horace Grimley
- It's a Date (1940) as Mr. Horner (uncredited)
- The Invisible Woman (1940) as Growley
- Rhythm on the River (1940) as Bernard Schwartz
- City for Conquest (1940) as Al - Dance Team Manager (uncredited)
- Ellery Queen, Master Detective (1940) as Dr. Prouty
- Edison, the Man (1940) as Second Lecturer
- On Their Own (1940) as Johnson
- The Leather Pushers (1940) as Henry 'Mitch' Mitchell
- You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940) as Salesman
- Dancing on a Dime (1940) as Freeman Taylor
- Blondie Plays Cupid (1940) as Train Conductor (uncredited)
- The Crooked Road (1940) as Phil Wesner, Defense Attorney
- Boy Slaves (1939) as Albee
- Beware Spooks! (1939) as Moore (uncredited)
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Nosey
- They All Come Out (1939) as Psychiatrist
- Fifth Avenue Girl (1939) as Union Representative (uncredited)
- Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939) as Charlie's Doctor
- Honeymoon in Bali (1939) as Photographer (uncredited)
- Inside Story (1939) as District Attorney
- The Cat and the Canary (1939) as Reporter
- Television Spy (1939) as Mr. Adler
- Let Us Live (1939) as Auto Show Salesman (uncredited)
- Lucky Night (1939) as Carpenter
- Miracles for Sale (1939) as Fleetwood Apartments Desk Clerk
- Second Fiddle (1939) as Studio Chief
- Golden Boy (1939) as Reporter Drake
- Rose of Washington Square (1939) as Sam Kress
- News Is Made at Night (1939) as District Attorney Rufe Reynolds
- You Can't Take It with You (1938) as Henderson
- Three Loves Has Nancy (1938) as Cleaning Store Manager (uncredited)
- Blondie (1938) as Furniture Salesman (uncredited)
- Professor Beware (1938) as Joe - Photographer
- Kentucky (1938) as Auctioneer
- Cocoanut Grove (1938) as Weaver
- The Rage of Paris (1938) as Department Head (uncredited)
- Always in Trouble (1938) as Donald Gower
- Joy of Living (1938) as Fan in Margaret's Dressing Room (Uncredited)
- Danger – Love at Work (1937) as Gilroy, an attorney
- Criminal Lawyer (1937) as Attorney (uncredited)
- Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937) as Doctor
- Internes Can't Take Money (1937) as Grote
- Nothing Sacred (1937) as Rubenstein (uncredited)
- One Mile from Heaven (1937) as Webb
- Hot Water (1937) as Grayson (uncredited)
- Bad Guy (1937) as Attorney
- Born Reckless (1937) as Barnes's lawyer
- Sea Devils (1937) as Judge (uncredited)
- We're on the Jury (1937) as Horace Smith
- Big Business (1937) as Webster - Bank Representative
- Trapped by G-Men (1937) as Fingers
- Venus Makes Trouble (1937) as District Attorney
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) as Hallor (uncredited)
- Easy to Take (1936) as Skip
- The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936) as Man in Front Row (archive footage)
- Lady Luck (1936) as Feinberg
- The Milky Way (1936) as Willard
- The Milky Way (1936)
- 36 Hours to Kill (1936) as Lawyer Rickert
- Two-Fisted Gentleman (1936) as Joe Gordon
- Woman Wanted (1935) as Defense Attorney Herman (uncredited)
- One More Spring (1935) as Representative
- Two for Tonight (1935) as Writer
- The Florentine Dagger (1935) as Man in Front Row (archive footage)
- Ginger (1935) as Judge (uncredited)
- Here Comes the Band (1935) as Mr. Scurry
- The Show-Off (1934) as Mr. Weitzenkorn
- A Wicked Woman (1934) as Defense Attorney Beardsley (uncredited)
- Broadway Bill (1934) as Morgan's Henchman (uncredited)
- Looking for Trouble (1934) as Switchboard Operator
- Twentieth Century (1934) as Max Jacobs
- Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Let's Talk It Over (1934) as Reporter
- The Band Plays On (1934) as Shyster Lawyer
- I'll Fix It (1934) as Al Nathan
- Mr. Skitch (1933) as Hotel Clerk
- Central Airport (1933) as Amarillo Radio Operator (uncredited)
- Blondie Johnson (1933) as Cashier (uncredited)
- Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) as Society Reporter (uncredited)
- Advice to the Lovelorn (1933)
- The Bowery (1933) as Doctor (uncredited)
- My Woman (1933) as Conn
- 42nd Street (1933) as Author of 'Pretty Lady' (uncredited)
- Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933) as Columnist #2
- Private Detective 62 (1933) as Process Server (Uncredited)
- Employees' Entrance (1933) as Shoe Salesman (uncredited)
- Grand Slam (1933) as Waiter at Nicolai Restaurant
- She Had to Say Yes (1933) as Mr. Bernstein (uncredited)
- Union Depot (1932) as Luggage Checkroom Clerk (uncredited)
- Blessed Event (1932) as Kane
- The Mouthpiece (1932) as Hotel Desk Clerk (Uncredited)
- Smart Money (1931) as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- The Road to Singapore (1931) as Desk Clerk at Club (uncredited)
- Manhattan Parade (1931) as Desk clerk
- Blonde Crazy (1931) as Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- City Girl (1930) as Man at Train Station (uncredited)
- I Want My Man (1925) as French Doctor