Sheldon Allman

Sheldon Allman (June 8, 1924 – January 22, 2002) was an American-Canadian actor, singer, and songwriter.

Sheldon Allman
BornJune 8, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2002(2002-01-22) (aged 77)
Culver City, California, U.S.
Resting placeHillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Alma materLos Angeles Conservatory of Music
OccupationActor, singer, songwriter
Years active1958–1995
Spouse(s)Lorraine Allman

Early life and career

Allman was born in Chicago, Illinois.[1] He began his singing career with the Royal National Guard[2] during his World War II service with the Royal Canadian Air Force.[3] He moved to Los Angeles in 1949, in order to attend the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music.[3] After it, he appeared in 12 films, including such notable films as Nevada Smith, The Sons of Katie Elder, Hud and In Cold Blood. His co-stars included, respectively, Steve McQueen, John Wayne and Paul Newman. He also made appearances in numerous TV series during the 1960s and 1970s.[4]

On television, Allman provided the voice of Big H in CB Bears on CBS[5] and played Norm Miller in Harris Against the World on NBC.[5]:436 He provided music on the game show Three for the Money on NBC,[5]:1077 and he was the singing voice for TV's Mister Ed, for which he also wrote and recorded "The Pretty Little Filly with the Ponytail" and "The Empty Feedbag Blues".[2] Mr. Allman wrote longer versions of these songs, but never recorded the longer versions. He was the lyricist for the theme song to George of the Jungle.[2] Additionally, Allman worked with Stan Worth, co-writer of the "George of the Jungle" theme, to create music for a number of game shows by Stefan Hatos-Monty Hall Productions, including the 1970s versions of Let's Make a Deal,[2] Masquerade Party and It Pays to be Ignorant.

In 1960, Allman released Folk Songs for the 21st Century,[2] an album of novelty songs all revolving around science-fiction themes. The tongue-in-cheek material, which Allman wrote and arranged himself, included titles such as "Crawl Out Through The Fallout" and "Radioactive Mama."[6] "Crawl Out Through The Fallout" is used in the video game Fallout 4.

In addition, Allman co-wrote two comedy horror-themed stage musicals with Bobby Pickett, composer of the hit novelty song, "Monster Mash." The musicals were I'm Sorry the Bridge Is Out, You'll Have to Spend the Night[1] and its sequel, Frankenstein Unbound, the former of which was made into the 1995 film, Monster Mash.[2]

Death

On January 22, 2002, Allman died of heart failure[2] at his home in Culver City, California, at age 77.[3] His interment is in Culver City's Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1959Inside the MafiaDyerUncredited
1960The Twilight ZoneUncredited[1]
1963HudMr. Thompson
1964Good Neighbor SamHotel Desk ClerkUncredited
1965The Sons of Katie ElderHarry Evers
1966Nevada SmithSheriff
1967In Cold BloodRev. Jim Post
1969Joniko and the Kush Ta KaNarrator
1970I Dream of JeannieUncredited[1]
1971Dirty HarryUncredited[1]
1974Little House on the PrairieUncredited[1]
1976All the President's MenUncredited[1]

References
  1. "Sheldon Allman, 77, the Voice Of a Singing Mr. Ed on Television". The New York Times. February 3, 2002. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  2. Oliver, Myrna (February 8, 2002). "Sheldon Allman, 77; Actor, Songwriter, Cartoon Voice". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. p. B 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Lentz, Harris M., III (2003). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2002: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland & Company. p. 10. ISBN 9780786452071.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Sheldon Allman - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  6. "CONELRAD: Atomic Platters - Sheldon Allman: Folk Songs for the 21st Century [1960]". conelrad.com.


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