George Cleveland

George Alan Cleveland (September 17, 1885 – July 15, 1957) was a Canadian film actor.[1] He appeared in more than 180 films between 1930 and 1954.[2]

For the California politician, see George C. Cleveland. For the North Carolina politician, see George G. Cleveland.

George Cleveland
Cleveland as "Gramps" in Lassie (1954)
Born
George Sid Cleveland

(1885-09-17)September 17, 1885
Sydney, Nova Scotia
DiedJuly 15, 1957(1957-07-15) (aged 71)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1930–1957
Spouse(s)Helen Cleveland
(m. 1905; ? 190?)
​
​
(m. 1910; died 1926)​

Dorothy Melleck
​
​
(m. 1955)​
Cleveland, Jean Parker, Sarah Padden, and Marjorie Main in Romance of the Limberlost (1938)

Career

Cleveland was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.[3] He first appearance on the stage was in The Octaroon as a teenager.[4] Cleveland was active as a Vaudevillian before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he worked in films via acting, producing and directing.[5]

Although Cleveland played in more than 150 films during his 58-year career in show business, he acknowledged that he was most well-known for his role as George "Gramps" Miller in the early years of the long running American television series Lassie.[3][4] The early seasons in which Cleveland appeared were retitled Jeff's Collie for syndicated reruns and DVD release. He played the grumpy but-kind hearted father-in-law of farm woman Ellen Miller (Jan Clayton), and grandfather of Lassie's owner, Jeff (Tommy Rettig).

Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons (1954–1956) and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season (1957). His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season (1957) and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.[6]

Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in Burbank, California at age 71.[3][5] He was survived by his spouse Dorothy Melleck, whom he married as a widower in 1955.[7] Cleveland was previously married to Victory Bateman between 1910–1926, whom he had met while both actors were touring in Vaudeville.[8][9]

Selected filmography

References
  1. Wilson, Scott (September 16, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9781476625997.
  2. Rowan, Terry (2015). Who's Who In Hollywood!. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781329074491.
  3. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 41. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  4. "George Cleveland, "Gramps" of Lassie TV Series, Is Dead". The Journal. Meridian, CT. Associated Press. July 16, 1957. p. 7.
  5. "George Cleveland, 'Gramps' Of Lassie Show, Dead at 71". Anderson Daily Bulletin. Indiana, Anderson. International News Service. July 16, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved November 17, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Hopper, Hedda (November 30, 1957). "Hollywood". Hartford Courant. p. 8.
  7. "George Cleveland, TV Actor, Succumbs". Reading Eagle. July 16, 1975. p. 8. Retrieved May 29, 2016 – via Google News Archive.
  8. "'As the sun went down' will appear". Ogden Examiner. May 1, 1910. p. 1.
  9. "Bateman-Cleveland marriage record". Aimesley Jordan Genealogy Detective. July 18, 2009.
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