Keene Curtis

Keene Holbrook Curtis (February 15, 1923 – October 13, 2002) was an American character actor.

Keene Curtis
Born
Keene Holbrook Curtis

(1923-02-15)February 15, 1923
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
DiedOctober 13, 2002(2002-10-13) (aged 79)
Bountiful, Utah, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Utah
OccupationActor
Parent(s)Polley Francella Holbrook Curtis
Ira Charles Curtis

Early life

Curtis was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Polley Francella (née Holbrook), a teacher, and Ira Charles Curtis, a railway and civil service employee.[1] He attended Davis High School[2] and the University of Utah.[3] In 1943, he was recognized by Theta Alpha Phi national honorary dramatic society as the university's outstanding actor.[4]

Film

Curtis made his film debut in the 1948 Orson Welles' adaptation of Macbeth. Additional film credits included American Hot Wax, Rabbit Test, The Buddy System, I.Q., Heaven Can Wait, Sliver, and Richie Rich's Christmas Wish.[5]

Curtis was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6]

Theatre work

Curtis' theatrical career began in 1955 as a Broadway stage manager. His first appearance as a performer was in a 1965 revival of You Can't Take It with You. In 1971, he was awarded the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Rothschilds. Additional Broadway credits included The Cherry Orchard, A Patriot for Me, Via Galactica, Annie, Night Watch (played Curtis Appleby in 1972 production) and La Cage aux Folles.[7] He was a member of the Stratford Festival of Canada acting company in 1981, playing Sir George Thunder in Wild Oats.[8]

Television work

Curtis had a recurring role playing John Allen Hill, the owner of Melville's Restaurant in Cheers and as a wealthy banker on the short-lived Bea Arthur vehicle, Amanda's. His many television credits include The Magician as quirky columnist Max Pomeroy opposite Bill Bixby, Gypsy starring Bette Midler and appearances on:

Animation work

For the animated series SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron, he voiced the character the Pastmaster. He also provided the voice of Grand Moff Tarkin for the radio adaptation of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, but may have been best known for voicing "Lord Balthazar" in The Smurfs from 1981-89.[5]

He also used his voice talents for other cartoon shows including The Little Mermaid, The Dukes, The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures, Trollkins, The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda, The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible, Denver, the Last Dinosaur, The Snorks, The Jetsons, Space Stars, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, The Herculoids, Fantastic Max, Paddington Bear, The Centurions, Kissyfur, Mother Goose and Grimm, The Hot Rod Dogs and Cool Car Cats and Bonkers.[5]

Death

Curtis died from complications from Alzheimer's disease in a Bountiful, Utah nursing home, aged 79, and was buried at Bountiful Memorial Park.[9]

References
  1. Profile, filmreference.com; accessed January 20, 2016.
  2. "North Emery High School Wins First Place in B.Y.U. Dramatic Contest". Emery County Progress. Utah, Castle Dale. April 12, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved August 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "'U' Freshmen Rehearse Class Presentation". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. March 26, 1941. p. 26. Retrieved August 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "'U' Dramatists Wait Honors". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. June 3, 1943. p. 15. Retrieved August 21, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Keene Curtis at IMDb
  6. Abanes, Richard (2009). Religions of the Stars: What Hollywood Believes and How It Affects You. Ada, Michigan: Baker Publishing Group. ISBN 9781441204455.
  7. Keene Curtis at the Internet Broadway Database
  8. "Keene Curtis acting credits". Stratford Festival Archives. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  9. Keene Curtis at Find a Grave


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