Charles Lane
Charles Lane (born Charles Gerstle Levison; January 26, 1905 – July 9, 2007) was an American character actor and centenarian whose career spanned 77 years. Lane gave his last performance at the age of 101 as a narrator in 2006. Lane appeared in many Frank Capra films, including 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). He was a favored supporting actor of Lucille Ball, who often used him as a no-nonsense authority figure and comedic foe of her scatterbrained TV character on her TV series I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour and The Lucy Show. His first film of more than 250 was as a hotel clerk in Smart Money (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Born: 26 January 1905 • Died: 09 July 2007
Played In
TV Show
Nov 2006
Legends
Roy (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 2005
The History of Hooterville
Self
TV Show
Mar 2003
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV
Movie
Jan 1995
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Regent Yarborough
Movie
Jun 1994
A Bewitched Christmas
Jesse Mortimer
Movie
Jul 1993
Acting on Impulse
Bellhop
TV Show
Jan 1991
Dark Shadows
Antique Dealer
TV Show
Apr 1990
Shannon's Deal
Movie
Nov 1987
Date with an Angel
Father O'Shea
Movie
Oct 1986
When the Bough Breaks
Van der Graaf
TV Show
Sep 1986
L.A. Law
Walter Graf
Movie
Dec 1985
Murphy's Romance
Amos Abbott
TV Show
Jun 1985
The Comedy Factory
George McCloskey
TV Show
Jan 1985
Otherworld
Velcrows Widley
TV Show
Sep 1984
Hunter
Motel Owner
Movie
Oct 1983
Sunset Limousine
Reinhammer
Movie
Sep 1983
Strange Invaders
Prof. Hollister
TV Show
Feb 1983
The Winds of War
William Standley
TV Show
Oct 1982
St. Elsewhere
Richard Welte
TV Show
Oct 1982
The Devlin Connection
Movie
Oct 1981
Strange Behavior
Donovan
Movie
Oct 1981
The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies
Chief
Movie
Jul 1980
The Little Dragons
J.J.
Movie
Nov 1978
Movie Movie
Judge / Mr. Pennington
TV Show
Sep 1978
Mork & Mindy
TV Show
Sep 1977
Lou Grant
TV Show
Sep 1977
Lou Grant
Mort Farber
TV Show
Sep 1977
Soap
Judge Petrillo
TV Show
Sep 1977
Weekend Special
TV Show
Nov 1976
Sybil
Dr. Quinoness
TV Show
Dec 1975
One Day at a Time
Movie
Sep 1975
Long Way Home
TV Show
Sep 1975
The Family Holvak
TV Show
Jan 1975
Karen
TV Show
Sep 1974
Chico and the Man
TV Show
Sep 1974
Little House on the Prairie
TV Show
Sep 1974
Rhoda
TV Show
Sep 1973
Adam's Rib
Mayor
Movie
Mar 1973
Hitched
Round Tree
TV Show
Sep 1972
The Sandy Duncan Show
TV Show
Sep 1972
Maude
TV Show
Sep 1972
Temperatures Rising
Fulton Briggs
TV Show
Sep 1972
The Rookies
Movie
Jun 1972
Get to Know Your Rabbit
Mr. Beeman
Movie
May 1972
The Great Man's Whiskers
Philbrick
Movie
Dec 1970
The Aristocats
Lawyer (voice)
TV Show
Sep 1970
The Odd Couple
Sid
TV Show
Jan 1970
Nanny and the Professor
Movie
Sep 1969
My Dog, the Thief
Mr. Pfeiffer
TV Show
Sep 1969
The Debbie Reynolds Show
TV Show
Sep 1968
The Doris Day Show
Judge Carter
Movie
May 1968
What's So Bad About Feeling Good?
Dr. Shapiro
TV Show
Sep 1967
Judd, for the Defense
TV Show
Sep 1967
The Flying Nun
TV Show
Sep 1967
He & She
Mr. Simpson
Movie
Jul 1967
The Gnome-Mobile
Dr. Scoggins
TV Show
Sep 1966
Love on a Rooftop
TV Show
Sep 1966
The Pruitts of Southampton
Maxwell
Movie
Feb 1966
The Ugly Dachshund
Judge
Movie
Jan 1966
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
Whitlow
Movie
Dec 1965
Billie
Coach Jones
TV Show
Sep 1965
Get Smart
Uncle Abner
TV Show
Sep 1965
The Wild Wild West
Roger Creed
TV Show
Sep 1965
Honey West
Ash
TV Show
Sep 1965
Green Acres
Mr. Wilson
TV Show
Sep 1965
F Troop
TV Show
Sep 1965
Please Don't Eat the Daisies
Man
Movie
Mar 1965
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!
Editor
TV Show
Sep 1964
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Charlie
TV Show
Sep 1964
The Munsters
TV Show
Sep 1964
The Cara Williams Show
TV Show
Sep 1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Ralph Harrison
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Mr. Cushman
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Jessie Mortimer
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Mr. Roland
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Ed Hotchkiss
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Shotwell
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
George Meiklejohn
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Mr. Harmon
TV Show
Sep 1964
Bewitched
Harold Jameson
TV Show
Sep 1964
Wendy and Me
TV Show
Sep 1964
The Bing Crosby Show
Movie
Sep 1964
Rendezvous in Space
Interviewee
Movie
Aug 1964
Looking for Love
Director
Movie
Jul 1964
Good Neighbor Sam
Jack Bailey
Movie
Jun 1964
The New Interns
Connors
Movie
Apr 1964
The Carpetbaggers
Eugene Denby
Movie
Nov 1963
The Wheeler Dealers
Judge (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1963
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Airport Manager
TV Show
Oct 1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Charles Eckhardt
TV Show
Sep 1963
Petticoat Junction
Homer Bedloe
TV Show
Sep 1963
The Bill Dana Show
TV Show
Sep 1963
Burke's Law
Dr. Lusk
TV Show
Sep 1963
The Farmer's Daughter
Movie
Mar 1963
Papa's Delicate Condition
Mr. Cosgrove
TV Show
Oct 1962
The Lucy Show
Mr. Barnsdahl
TV Show
Sep 1962
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
TV Show
Sep 1962
The Beverly Hillbillies
Foster Phinney
TV Show
Sep 1962
The Beverly Hillbillies
Billy Hacker
TV Show
Sep 1962
The Beverly Hillbillies
Homer Bedloe
Movie
Jun 1962
The Music Man
Constable
TV Show
Oct 1961
The New Bob Cummings Show
TV Show
Sep 1961
The Wonderful World of Disney
Movie
Jan 1961
Alcatraz Express
TV Show
Jan 1961
Mister Ed
TV Show
Oct 1960
Surfside 6
TV Show
Oct 1960
Surfside 6
Cyrus Radford
TV Show
Oct 1960
The Andy Griffith Show
Mr. Frisby
TV Show
Sep 1960
Guestward, Ho!
TV Show
Sep 1960
Pete and Gladys
TV Show
Sep 1960
The Tab Hunter Show
TV Show
Jul 1960
The Comedy Spot
TV Show
Oct 1959
The Untouchables
Alcatraz Official (uncredited)
TV Show
Oct 1959
Dennis the Menace
TV Show
Oct 1959
Dennis the Menace
Lawrence Finch
TV Show
Oct 1959
The Twilight Zone
Mr. Peckinpaugh
TV Show
Sep 1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
TV Show
Sep 1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Chester L. Wayzack, Esq.
TV Show
Sep 1959
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Dr. Shelley
TV Show
Sep 1959
Fibber McGee & Molly
Salesman
Movie
Aug 1959
But Not for Me
Al Atwood
Movie
Aug 1959
The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock
Standard Bates
Movie
Apr 1959
The Mating Game
Inspector General Bigelow
TV Show
Oct 1958
77 Sunset Strip
TV Show
Oct 1958
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
TV Show
Oct 1958
The Ann Sothern Show
TV Show
Oct 1958
Lawman
TV Show
Sep 1958
The Donna Reed Show
Movie
Apr 1958
Teacher's Pet
Roy
TV Show
Nov 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Claims Clerk (uncredited)
TV Show
Nov 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Customs Officer (uncredited)
TV Show
Oct 1957
The Real McCoys
TV Show
Oct 1957
The Real McCoys
Mr. Leland
TV Show
Sep 1957
The Restless Gun
Mayor Peter Mercer
TV Show
Sep 1957
Maverick
Proprietor
TV Show
Sep 1957
Perry Mason
Dr. Williams
TV Show
Sep 1957
The Thin Man
TV Show
Sep 1957
Bachelor Father
Movie
Jul 1957
God Is My Partner
Judge Warner
TV Show
Jul 1957
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Lt. Kevin Anders (uncredited)
TV Show
Jan 1957
Whirlybirds
TV Show
Sep 1956
The Gale Storm Show
Pierce
TV Show
Sep 1956
On Trial
Movie
May 1956
The Birds and the Bees
Charlie Jenkins
TV Show
Oct 1955
The People's Choice
TV Show
Oct 1955
Screen Director's Playhouse
TV Show
Sep 1955
Star Stage
TV Show
Jan 1955
The Millionaire
Simon Whipple
TV Show
Oct 1954
The Wonderful World of Disney
Mr. Pfeiffer
TV Show
Sep 1954
Studio 57
Henry
TV Show
Sep 1954
Willy
TV Show
Sep 1954
Dear Phoebe
Mr. Fosdick
TV Show
Oct 1953
Topper
Mr. Kittler
Movie
Aug 1953
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
Prof. Obispo
Movie
May 1953
Remains to Be Seen
Delapp
Movie
May 1953
The Juggler
Rosenberg
Movie
May 1952
The Sniper
Loud Drunk at Club
TV Show
Jan 1952
Today
Self
TV Show
Oct 1951
I Love Lucy
Mr. Stanley
TV Show
Oct 1951
I Love Lucy
Passport Office Clerk
TV Show
Oct 1951
I Love Lucy
Casting Director
TV Show
Oct 1951
I Love Lucy
Mr. Hickox
Movie
Sep 1951
Here Comes the Groom
FBI Agent Ralph Burchard (uncredited)
Movie
Aug 1951
Criminal Lawyer
Frederick Waterman
Movie
Apr 1951
I Can Get It for You Wholesale
Herman Pulvermacher (uncredited)
Movie
Dec 1950
The Second Face
Mr. Westcott
TV Show
Oct 1950
Lux Video Theatre
Walter Medford
Movie
Apr 1950
Riding High
Erickson
Movie
Mar 1950
The Yellow Cab Man
L.A. Casualty Co. Executive (uncredited)
Movie
Jan 1950
Backfire
Dr. Nolan (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1949
Miss Grant Takes Richmond
Mr. Woodruff (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1949
The House Across the Street
Apartment Manager (uncredited)
Movie
Jul 1949
You're My Everything
Mr. Eddie Pflum
Movie
Jul 1949
Mighty Joe Young
Producer (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1948
The Boy with Green Hair
Movie
Oct 1948
Moonrise
Mr. Chandler
Movie
Sep 1948
Apartment for Peggy
Prof. Collins (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1948
Out of the Storm
Mr. Evans
Movie
Sep 1948
Race Street
Switchboard Operator Clerk (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1948
The Gentleman from Nowhere
Fenmore
Movie
Apr 1948
State of the Union
Blink Moran
Movie
Apr 1948
Smart Woman
Reporter
Movie
Feb 1948
Call Northside 777
Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
Movie
Dec 1947
Intrigue
Hotel Desk Clerk
Movie
Nov 1947
Louisiana
McCormack
Movie
Nov 1947
Roses Are Red
Lipton
Movie
Oct 1947
Bury Me Dead
Brighton
Movie
Jun 1947
Living in a Big Way
Hawkins (uncredited)
Movie
Apr 1947
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
Landlord (uncredited)
Movie
Dec 1946
It's a Wonderful Life
Real Estate Salesman
Movie
Aug 1946
The Invisible Informer
Nick Steele
Movie
Apr 1946
Mysterious Intruder
Detective Burns
Movie
Mar 1946
Just Before Dawn
Dr. Steiner (uncredited)
Movie
Jan 1946
A Close Call for Boston Blackie
Hack Hagen (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1944
Arsenic and Old Lace
Reporter at Marriage License Office
Movie
Apr 1943
Mission to Moscow
Man in Kitchenin Montage (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1942
Flying Tigers
Repkin (uncredited)
Movie
Aug 1942
Pardon My Sarong
Bus Company Superintendent (uncredited)
Movie
Jun 1942
Friendly Enemies
Braun
Movie
Jun 1942
Lady in a Jam
Government Man (uncredited)
Movie
Jun 1942
Thru Different Eyes
Mott
Movie
Jun 1942
They All Kissed the Bride
Spotter
Movie
May 1942
The Mad Martindales
Virgil Hickling
Movie
May 1942
Broadway
Hungry Harry
Movie
May 1942
Sunday Punch
Ringside spectator at Ole's first fight (uncredited)
Movie
May 1942
Broadway
Hungry Harry (uncredited)
Movie
May 1942
Tarzan's New York Adventure
Sargent's Lawyer Gould Beaton
Movie
Apr 1942
Home in Wyomin'
Newspaper Editor
Movie
Apr 1942
About Face
Rental Car Manager
Movie
Apr 1942
Obliging Young Lady
Private Detective Smith
Movie
Feb 1942
The Adventures of Martin Eden
Mr. White
Movie
Feb 1942
What's Cookin'?
K.D. Reynolds
Movie
Feb 1942
Born to Sing
Johnny
Movie
Feb 1942
The Lady Is Willing
K.K. Miller
Movie
Jan 1942
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
Coroner
Movie
Jan 1942
A Gentleman at Heart
Holloway
Movie
Jan 1942
Sealed Lips
Attorney Emanuel 'Manny' T. Dixon
Movie
Dec 1941
Ball of Fire
Larsen
Movie
Nov 1941
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Martin Manning (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1941
Birth of the Blues
Wilbur - Bijou Theater Manager (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1941
I Wake Up Screaming
Keating- Florist
Movie
Oct 1941
The Great Man's Lady
Pierce (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1941
New York Town
Census Taker (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1941
Appointment for Love
Smith (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1941
Three Girls About Town
Mortician
Movie
Oct 1941
Buy Me That Town
J. Montague Gainsborough
Movie
Aug 1941
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
Dr. Prouty (coroner)
Movie
Jun 1941
The Big Store
Finance Company Man (uncredited)
Movie
Apr 1941
Sis Hopkins
Mayor's aide
Movie
Apr 1941
Barnacle Bill
Auctioneer
Movie
Apr 1941
Repent at Leisure
Clarence Morgan
Movie
Mar 1941
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
Doc Prouty
Movie
Feb 1941
You're the One
Announcer
Movie
Feb 1941
Back Street
Reporter for Associated News
Movie
Dec 1940
The Invisible Woman
Growley
Movie
Dec 1940
The Texas Rangers Ride Again
Train Passenger (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1940
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
Dr. Prouty
Movie
Nov 1940
Dancing on a Dime
Freeman Taylor
Movie
Oct 1940
Blondie Plays Cupid
Train Conductor (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1940
City for Conquest
Al - Dance Team Manager (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1940
The Leather Pushers
Henry 'Mitch' Mitchell
Movie
Aug 1940
The Great Profile
Director
Movie
Aug 1940
Rhythm on the River
Bernard Schwartz
Movie
Jul 1940
We Who Are Young
Perkins
Movie
Jun 1940
Queen of the Mob
Horace Grimley
Movie
May 1940
Buck Benny Rides Again
Charlie Graham
Movie
May 1940
You Can't Fool Your Wife
Salesman
Movie
May 1940
On Their Own
Johnson
Movie
May 1940
The Crooked Road
Phil Wesner, Defense Attorney
Movie
May 1940
Edison, the Man
Second Lecturer
Movie
Apr 1940
The Doctor Takes a Wife
Reporter (uncredited)
Movie
Apr 1940
Johnny Apollo
Assistant D.A.
Movie
Mar 1940
It's a Date
Mr. Horner (uncredited)
Movie
Mar 1940
Primrose Path
Mr. Smith (uncredited)
Movie
Dec 1939
Charlie McCarthy, Detective
Charlie's Doctor
Movie
Oct 1939
The Cat and the Canary
Reporter
Movie
Oct 1939
Beware Spooks!
Moore (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1939
Television Spy
Mr. Adler
Movie
Oct 1939
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Nosey
Movie
Sep 1939
Honeymoon in Bali
Photographer (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1939
Fifth Avenue Girl
Union Representative (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1939
Golden Boy
Reporter Drake
Movie
Aug 1939
Miracles for Sale
Fleetwood Apartments Desk Clerk
Movie
Aug 1939
They All Come Out
Psychiatrist
Movie
Jul 1939
News Is Made at Night
District Attorney Rufe Reynolds
Movie
Jun 1939
Second Fiddle
Studio Chief
Movie
May 1939
Lucky Night
Carpenter
Movie
May 1939
Rose of Washington Square
Sam Kress
Movie
Mar 1939
Let Us Live
Auto Show Salesman (uncredited)
Movie
Mar 1939
Inside Story
District Attorney
Movie
Feb 1939
Boy Slaves
Albee
Movie
Dec 1938
Kentucky
Auctioneer
Movie
Nov 1938
Blondie
Furniture Salesman (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1938
Always in Trouble
Donald Gower
Movie
Sep 1938
Three Loves Has Nancy
Cleaning Store Manager (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1938
You Can't Take It with You
Henderson
Movie
Jul 1938
Professor Beware
Joe - Photographer
Movie
Jun 1938
The Rage of Paris
Department Head (uncredited)
Movie
May 1938
Cocoanut Grove
Weaver
Movie
May 1938
Joy of Living
Fan in Margaret's Dressing Room (Uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1937
Nothing Sacred
Rubenstein (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1937
Ali Baba Goes to Town
Doctor
Movie
Sep 1937
Danger – Love at Work
Gilroy, an attorney
Movie
Sep 1937
Hot Water
Grayson (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1937
Trapped by G-Men
Fingers
Movie
Aug 1937
Bad Guy
Attorney
Movie
Aug 1937
One Mile from Heaven
Webb
Movie
Jun 1937
Born Reckless
Barnes's lawyer
Movie
Jun 1937
Big Business
Webster - Bank Representative
Movie
May 1937
Venus Makes Trouble
District Attorney
Movie
Apr 1937
Internes Can't Take Money
Grote
Movie
Feb 1937
Sea Devils
Judge (uncredited)
Movie
Feb 1937
We're on the Jury
Horace Smith
Movie
Jan 1937
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1936
Easy to Take
Skip
Movie
Sep 1936
Lady Luck
Feinberg
Movie
Aug 1936
Two-Fisted Gentleman
Joe Gordon
Movie
Jul 1936
36 Hours to Kill
Lawyer Rickert
Movie
Apr 1936
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Hallor (uncredited)
Movie
Feb 1936
The Milky Way
Willard
Movie
Feb 1936
The Milky Way
Movie
Jan 1936
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
Man in Front Row (archive footage)
Movie
Sep 1935
Two for Tonight
Writer
Movie
Aug 1935
Here Comes the Band
Mr. Scurry
Movie
Aug 1935
Woman Wanted
Defense Attorney Herman (uncredited)
Movie
Jul 1935
Ginger
Judge (uncredited)
Movie
Mar 1935
The Florentine Dagger
Man in Front Row (archive footage)
Movie
Feb 1935
One More Spring
Representative
Movie
Dec 1934
The Band Plays On
Shyster Lawyer
Movie
Dec 1934
A Wicked Woman
Defense Attorney Beardsley (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1934
Broadway Bill
Morgan's Henchman (uncredited)
Movie
Nov 1934
I'll Fix It
Al Nathan
Movie
Jun 1934
Let's Talk It Over
Reporter
Movie
May 1934
Twenty Million Sweethearts
Reporter (uncredited)
Movie
May 1934
Twentieth Century
Max Jacobs
Movie
Mar 1934
Looking for Trouble
Switchboard Operator
Movie
Mar 1934
The Show-Off
Mr. Weitzenkorn
Movie
Dec 1933
Mr. Skitch
Hotel Clerk
Movie
Dec 1933
Advice to the Lovelorn
Movie
Nov 1933
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Columnist #2
Movie
Oct 1933
The Bowery
Doctor (uncredited)
Movie
Oct 1933
My Woman
Conn
Movie
Jul 1933
She Had to Say Yes
Mr. Bernstein (uncredited)
Movie
Jun 1933
Private Detective 62
Process Server (Uncredited)
Movie
May 1933
Gold Diggers of 1933
Society Reporter (uncredited)
Movie
Apr 1933
Central Airport
Amarillo Radio Operator (uncredited)
Movie
Mar 1933
42nd Street
Author of 'Pretty Lady' (uncredited)
Movie
Feb 1933
Blondie Johnson
Cashier (uncredited)
Movie
Feb 1933
Grand Slam
Waiter at Nicolai Restaurant
Movie
Feb 1933
Employees' Entrance
Shoe Salesman (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1932
Blessed Event
Kane
Movie
Mar 1932
The Mouthpiece
Hotel Desk Clerk (Uncredited)
Movie
Jan 1932
Union Depot
Luggage Checkroom Clerk (uncredited)
Movie
Dec 1931
Manhattan Parade
Desk clerk
Movie
Sep 1931
Blonde Crazy
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Movie
Sep 1931
The Road to Singapore
Desk Clerk at Club (uncredited)
Movie
Jun 1931
Smart Money
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
Movie
Jan 1930
City Girl
Man at Train Station (uncredited)
Movie
Mar 1925
I Want My Man
French Doctor