User:B1wwzu62/Peter Leeds

Peter Leeds (born 30 May 1917, Bayonne, New Jersey) is an actor who has appeared on television more than 8,000 times, and also had many film, broadway, and radio appearances. The majority of his work took place in the fifties and sixties. Working with many well-known comedians, he became popular as a straight man to their antics.

Beyond situation comedies, Peter Leeds was also a talented dramatic actor, a Broadway performer, and a regular on many variety shows.

Peter Leeds was also a popular voice-over artist, being heard on over 3,000 radio shows, and accompanied Bob Hope on 14 international USO tours.

Peter Leeds Co-Stars
Peter Leeds has worked with hundreds of known actors, including Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Carole Burnett, Red Skelton, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Johnny Carson.

Peter Leeds appeared on Broadway in "Sugar Babies" along with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller.

Peter Leeds' Start
A native of Bayonne, NJ, Leeds received his training at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He made his film debut with a bit part in Public Enemies (1941).

USO Tours
Peter Leeds accompanied Bob Hope on 14 international USO (United Service Organizations) tours. Leeds hooked up with Bob Hope in 1954 for a television special and continued working with Hope on specials and tours from 1954 until 1991.

Death
Peter Leeds died of cancer at the age of 79, on 12 November 1996. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA, where he lived.

Family of Peter Leeds
Peter Leeds is survived by his wife of 34 years, Pat Leeds, and his granddaughter Samantha Leeds.

AFTRA
During the '70s, Leeds spent five years as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and later served on the actors' union's national and local Board of Directors. In 1992, AFTRA repaid his many years of service with its highest honor, the Gold Card. Leeds later served on the Board of Governors for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Education
Peter Leeds received a scholarship from the John Marshall Law School, where he attended for one year.

He also attended The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, in New York, NY.

Peter Leeds was noticed by the Group Theater of New York, through which he received a scholarship and graduated.

Partial Filmography
 Dragnet (1987) as Roy Grest  Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat, The (1974) as Voice  With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) as Police Officer Joelson  8 on the Lam (1967) as Marty  The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1966) as Actor  The Oscar (1966) as Actor  Harlow (1965) as Director of 30's  The Wheeler Dealers (1963) as Arthur Watkins  The Scarface Mob (1962) as Lamarr Kane  The Facts of Life (1960) as Thompson