Frank Aletter, Veteran Character Actor, Dead at 83

Frank Aletter, a veteran character actor who starred in the 1960s TV situation comedies "Bringing Up Buddy" and "It's About Time," has died. He was 83 years old. 

Aletter died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Tarzana, California, his daughter Kyle Oldham reported the news of his passing to the Los Angeles Times. Born in Queens, N.Y., in 1926, Aletter studied acting after a stint in the U.S. army from 1946-1948. 

Aletter acted in Broadway and films, but he was best known for his TV roles. In 1960-61 in "Bringing Up Buddy, he played Buddy Flower, an investment counsellor living with his spinster aunts. He also starred on "It's About Time, which aired in 1966-67, playing an astronaut who travels back in time to the Stone Age. He also had regular roles on "The Cara Williams Show" in 1964-65 and in "Nancy" in 1970-71.

He also appeared as a guest star in more than 100 series, including "Perry Mason," "The Lucy Show," "MASH," "Kojak," "All in the Family," "Fantasy Island," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Dallas."

He made his Broadway debut in 1950 in "Mister Roberts." His other Broadway credits include "Wish You Were Here" and "Time Limit!"

Aletter served for many years on the board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild.

He married actress and former Miss America Lee Meriwether in 1958. The couple divorced in the early 1970s. In addition to his daughter Kyle Oldham, he is survived by his second wife of 25 years, Estella; his other daughter, Lesley Aletter; his stepdaughters, Alix and Julia Hodes; and his granddaughter, Ryan Oldham.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. To read the full article click here.

 

 

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