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{{short description|American actor (1914-2002)}}
{{Short description|American actor (1914–2002)}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Parley Baer
| name = Parley Baer
| image = Parleybaer.jpg
| image = Parley Baer in The Public Defender (Your Witness).jpg
| caption = Baer in network promotional photo as Mayor Roy Stoner from ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''
| caption = Baer in an episode of ''[[The Public Defender (TV series)|The Public Defender]]'' (1954)
| birth_name = Parley Edward Baer
| birth_name = Parley Edward Baer
| birth_date = {{birth date|1914|8|5}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1914|8|5}}
| birth_place = [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|11|22|1914|8|5}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|11|22|1914|8|5}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| resting_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills Cemetery]]
| resting_place = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills Cemetery]]
| other_names =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1940–1997
| years_active = 1940–2001
| spouse = {{marriage|Ernestine Clarke |1946|2000|end=her death}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Ernestine Clarke |1946|2000|end=her death}}
| children = 2
| children = 2
| website =
| website =
| awards =
| awards =
| module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| module = {{Infobox military person|embed=yes
| allegiance = {{USA}}
| allegiance = {{USA}}
| branch = [[File:US Army Air Corps Hap Arnold Wings.svg|25px]] [[United States Army Air Forces]]
| branch = [[File:US Army Air Corps Hap Arnold Wings.svg|25px]] [[United States Army Air Forces]]
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}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Parley Edward Baer''' (August 5, 1914 &ndash; November 22, 2002) was an American [[actor]] in [[Radio programming|radio]] and later in [[television]] and [[film]].<ref name=obit>{{cite news|last1=Harrigan|first1=Tom|title=Character actor Parley Baer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2081901/baer_obit/|newspaper=[[Santa Cruz Sentinel]]|date=November 24, 2002|page=21|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = March 27, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> Despite dozens of appearances in television series and theatrical films, he remains best known as the original "Chester" in the radio version of ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', and as the Mayor of Mayberry (Roy Stoner) in ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''.
'''Parley Edward Baer''' (August 5, 1914 &ndash; November 22, 2002) was an American actor in [[Radio programming|radio]] and later in television and film.<ref name=obit>{{cite news|last1=Harrigan|first1=Tom|title=Character actor Parley Baer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2081901/baer_obit/|newspaper=[[Santa Cruz Sentinel]]|date=November 24, 2002|page=21|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = March 27, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> Despite dozens of appearances in television series and theatrical films, he remains best known as the original "Chester" in the radio version of ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', and as the Mayor of Mayberry (Roy Stoner) in ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]''.


==Early life, family and education==
==Early life, family and education==
{{expand-section|date= March 2022}}
{{expand section|date= March 2022}}
⚫
Parley Edward Baer was born in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]]. He studied drama at the [[University of Utah]].<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last1=Oliver|first1=Myrna|title=Parley Baer, 88; 64-Year Career Spanned Radio, TV, Movies|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-24-me-baer24-story.html|access-date=28 March 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 24, 2002}}</ref>
Baer was born in [[Salt Lake City]], [[Utah]].

⚫
He studied drama at the [[University of Utah]].<ref name=lat>{{cite news|last1=Oliver|first1=Myrna|title=Parley Baer, 88; 64-Year Career Spanned Radio, TV, Movies|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/24/local/me-baer24|access-date=28 March 2015|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 24, 2002}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Baer had a [[circus]] background, but he began his radio career at Utah station [[KSL (AM)|KSL]].
Baer had a [[circus]] background, but he began his radio career at Utah station [[KSL (AM)|KSL]].


===Circus===
===Circus===
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===Radio===
===Radio===
Baer in the 1930s served on radio as director of special events for KSL.<ref>{{cite news|title=Parley Baer Goes Into Lion's Den |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2082131/baer_ksl/|newspaper=[[Daily Mail]]|date=December 8, 1962|page=29|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = March 27, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> His first network show was ''[[The Whistler]]'', which was soon followed by appearances on ''[[Escape (radio program)|Escape]]'' (notably narrating "Wild Jack Rhett" and as the title patriot in an adaptation of [[Stephen Vincent Benet]]'s "A Tooth for Paul Revere"), ''[[Suspense (radio program)|Suspense]]'', ''[[Tales of the Texas Rangers]]'' (as various local sheriffs), ''[[Dragnet (series)|Dragnet]]'', ''The [[CBS Radio Workshop]]'', ''[[Lux Radio Theater]]'', ''[[The Six Shooter]]'', and ''[[Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar]]'', to name a few.
Baer in the 1930s served on radio as director of special events for KSL.<ref>{{cite news|title=Parley Baer Goes Into Lion's Den |url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2082131/baer_ksl/|newspaper=[[Daily Mail]]|date=December 8, 1962|page=29|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = March 27, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> His first network show was ''[[The Whistler (radio series)|The Whistler]]'', which was soon followed by appearances on ''[[Escape (radio program)|Escape]]'' (notably narrating "Wild Jack Rhett" and as the title patriot in an adaptation of [[Stephen Vincent Benét]]'s "A Tooth for Paul Revere"), ''[[Suspense (radio program)|Suspense]]'', ''[[Tales of the Texas Rangers]]'' (as various local sheriffs), ''[[Dragnet (series)|Dragnet]]'', ''The [[CBS Radio Workshop]]'', ''[[Lux Radio Theater]]'', ''[[The Six Shooter]]'', and ''[[Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar]]'', to name a few.


In 1952, he began playing Chester, the trusty jailhouse assistant to [[Marshal Matt Dillon]] on the radio version of ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', eventually ad-libbing the character's full name, "Chester Wesley Proudfoot" (later changed to "Chester Goode" in the televised version of the series, which featured [[Dennis Weaver]] in the role of Chester). Baer also worked as a voice actor on several other radio shows produced by [[Norman MacDonnell]], performing as Pete the Marshal on the [[situation comedy]] ''[[The Harold Peary Show]]'', as Doc Clemens on ''Rogers of the Gazette'', and as additional characters on ''[[Fort Laramie (radio)|Fort Laramie]]'' and ''The Adventures of [[Philip Marlowe]]''.
In 1952, he began playing Chester, the trusty jailhouse assistant to [[Marshal Matt Dillon]] on the radio version of ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', eventually ad-libbing the character's full name, "Chester Wesley Proudfoot" (later changed to "Chester Goode" in the televised version of the series, which featured [[Dennis Weaver]] in the role of Chester). Baer also worked as a voice actor on several other radio shows produced by [[Norman MacDonnell]], performing as Pete the Marshal on the [[situation comedy]] ''[[The Harold Peary Show]]'', as Doc Clemens on ''Rogers of the Gazette'', and as additional characters on ''[[Fort Laramie (radio)|Fort Laramie]]'' and ''The Adventures of [[Philip Marlowe]]''.


Other recurring roles included Eb the farm hand on ''[[Granby's Green Acres]]'' (the radio predecessor to television's ''[[Green Acres]]''), Gramps on ''The Truitts'', and Rene the manservant on a radio version of ''[[The Count of Monte Cristo]]''. His later radio work included playing Reginald Duffield and Uncle Joe Finneman on the [[Focus on the Family]] series ''[[Adventures in Odyssey]]'' in the 1980s and 1990s.
Other recurring roles included Eb the farm hand on ''[[Granby's Green Acres]]'' (the radio predecessor to television's ''[[Green Acres]]''), Gramps on ''The Truitts'', and Rene the manservant on a radio version of ''[[The Count of Monte Cristo]]''. His later radio work included playing Reginald Duffield and Uncle Joe Finneman on the [[Focus on the Family]] series ''[[Adventures in Odyssey]]'' in the 1980s and 1990s.


Radio playwright and director [[Norman Corwin]] cast Baer as [[Simon Legree]] in the 1969 [[KCET]] television reading of his 1938 radio play ''[[The Plot to Overthrow Christmas]]''.
Radio playwright and director [[Norman Corwin]] cast Baer as [[Simon Legree]] in the 1969 [[KCET]] television reading of his 1938 radio play ''[[The Plot to Overthrow Christmas]]''.


==Films and television==
==Films and television==
As an on-camera performer, Baer was recognizable by his distinctive voice, his paunchy appearance, and his balding head. Often he portrayed fussy, bossy, and/or obstinate officials or neighbors. Extended television roles included blustering, by-the-book Mayor Stoner on ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'', the neighbor Darby on ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]]'', frequent guest appearances on ''[[The Addams Family (1964 TV series)|The Addams Family]]'' as insurance man and city commissioner Arthur J. Henson, and in the late 1990s, Miles Dugan on ''[[The Young and the Restless]]''. He also appeared as a telephone executive on ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]''
As an on-camera performer, Baer was recognizable by his distinctive voice, his paunchy appearance, and his balding head. Often he portrayed fussy, bossy, and/or obstinate officials or neighbors. Extended television roles included blustering, by-the-book Mayor Stoner on ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'', the neighbor Darby on ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]]'', frequent guest appearances on ''[[The Addams Family (1964 TV series)|The Addams Family]]'' as insurance man and city commissioner Arthur J. Henson, and in the late 1990s, Miles Dugan on ''[[The Young and the Restless]]''. He also appeared as a telephone executive on ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]''


Baer guest-starred in the 1950s on [[NBC]]'s ''The Dennis Day Show'' and ''[[It's a Great Life (TV series)|It's a Great Life]]'', on [[CBS]]'s ''Hey, Jeannie!'', on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Law and Mr. Jones]]'' with [[James Whitmore]], on the [[Television syndication|syndicated]] [[crime drama]] ''[[Johnny Midnight (TV series)|Johnny Midnight]]'' with [[Edmond O'Brien]], and on the NBC children's western series, ''[[Fury (American TV series)|Fury]]'' with [[Peter Graves]] and [[Bobby Diamond]]. He made six guest appearances on ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' during the last five seasons of the [[CBS]] legal drama, including the role of Edward Farraday in the 1962 episode, "The Case of the Captain's Coins," and Willard Hupp in the 1963 episode, "The Case of the Bouncing Boomerang".
Baer guest-starred in the 1950s on [[NBC]]'s ''The Dennis Day Show'' and ''[[It's a Great Life (TV series)|It's a Great Life]]'', on [[CBS]]'s ''Hey, Jeannie!'', on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Law and Mr. Jones]]'' with [[James Whitmore]], on the [[Television syndication|syndicated]] [[crime drama]] ''[[Johnny Midnight (TV series)|Johnny Midnight]]'' with [[Edmond O'Brien]], and on the NBC children's western series, ''[[Fury (American TV series)|Fury]]'' with [[Peter Graves]] and [[Bobby Diamond]]. He made six guest appearances on ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' during the last five seasons of the [[CBS]] legal drama, including the role of Edward Farraday in the 1962 episode, "The Case of the Captain's Coins," and Willard Hupp in the 1963 episode, "The Case of the Bouncing Boomerang".


He also appeared on the ABC sitcom ''[[Harrigan and Son]]'', on the ABC/[[Warner Bros.]] crime drama, ''[[The Roaring 20s (TV series)|The Roaring 20s]]'', on NBC's crime drama ''Dan Raven'' starring [[Skip Homeier]], and on the NBC family drama, ''[[National Velvet (TV series)|National Velvet]]''. Baer was cast twice on [[Walter Brennan]]'s sitcom, ''[[The Real McCoys]]''. He also guest-starred on the CBS sitcoms ''[[Dennis the Menace (1959 TV series)|Dennis the Menace]]'' with [[Jay North]], ''[[The Tom Ewell Show]]'' with [[Tom Ewell]], and ''[[Angel (1960 TV series)|Angel]]'', starring [[Annie Fargé]]. In the latter, he carried the lead as Dr. Mathews in the single episode "The Dentist", with [[Maudie Prickett]] as his dental secretary.
He also appeared on the ABC sitcom ''[[Harrigan and Son]]'', on the ABC/[[Warner Bros.]] crime drama, ''[[The Roaring 20s (TV series)|The Roaring 20s]]'', on NBC's crime drama ''Dan Raven'' starring [[Skip Homeier]], and on the NBC family drama, ''[[National Velvet (TV series)|National Velvet]]''. Baer was cast twice on [[Walter Brennan]]'s sitcom, ''[[The Real McCoys]]''. He also guest-starred on the CBS sitcoms ''[[Dennis the Menace (1959 TV series)|Dennis the Menace]]'' with [[Jay North]], ''[[The Tom Ewell Show]]'' with [[Tom Ewell]], and ''[[Angel (1960 TV series)|Angel]]'', starring [[Annie Fargé]]. In the latter, he carried the lead as Dr. Mathews in the single episode "The Dentist", with [[Maudie Prickett]] as his dental secretary.


In 1961, Baer guest-starred on [[Marilyn Maxwell]]'s short-lived ABC drama series, ''[[Bus Stop (TV series)|Bus Stop]]''. On April 13, 1962, he appeared, along with [[Frank Ferguson]] and [[Royal Dano]] in ABC's [[crime drama]] ''[[Target: The Corruptors]]'' in the episode "Journey into Mourning". He was cast as hotel owner Mr. Kringelein in the 1962 film, ''[[Gypsy (1962 film)|Gypsy]]'', opposite [[Natalie Wood]] and [[Rosalind Russell]].
In 1961, Baer guest-starred on [[Marilyn Maxwell]]'s short-lived ABC drama series, ''[[Bus Stop (TV series)|Bus Stop]]''. On April 13, 1962, he appeared, along with [[Frank Ferguson]] and [[Royal Dano]] in ABC's [[crime drama]] ''[[Target: The Corruptors]]'' in the episode "Journey into Mourning". He was cast as hotel owner Mr. Kringelein in the 1962 film, ''[[Gypsy (1962 film)|Gypsy]]'', opposite [[Natalie Wood]] and [[Rosalind Russell]].
In 1963, Baer appeared with [[Charles Aidman]] and [[Karl Swenson]] in the three-part episode "Security Risk", a story of international blackmail and intrigue, on the CBS anthology series, ''[[GE True]]'', hosted by [[Jack Webb]].{{Citation needed |date=January 2021}}
In 1963, Baer appeared with [[Charles Aidman]] and [[Karl Swenson]] in the three-part episode "Security Risk", a story of international blackmail and intrigue, on the CBS anthology series, ''[[GE True]]'', hosted by [[Jack Webb]].{{Citation needed |date=January 2021}}


In 1964, Baer was cast as a [[sheriff]] in an episode of [[Mickey Rooney]]'s short-lived ''[[Mickey (TV series)|Mickey]]'' sitcom, and as a scientist in an ''Outer Limits'' episode, "Behold, Eck!" He was seen in four episodes of ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' and eight episodes of ''[[Bewitched]]'' in various roles as advertising clients of McMann and Tate.
In 1964, Baer was cast as a [[sheriff]] in an episode of [[Mickey Rooney]]'s short-lived ''[[Mickey (TV series)|Mickey]]'' sitcom, and as a scientist in an ''Outer Limits'' episode, "Behold, Eck!" He was seen in four episodes of ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' and eight episodes of ''[[Bewitched]]'' in various roles as advertising clients of McMann and Tate.


Baer was cast as [[Horace Greeley]], who came to [[Colorado]] in 1859 in the [[Pikes Peak Gold Rush]], in the 1965 episode "The Great Turkey War" of the syndicated series, ''[[Death Valley Days]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556797/?ref_=tt_ep_nx|title=The Great Turkey War|publisher=[[IMDb]]|date=October 7, 1965|access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>
Baer was cast as [[Horace Greeley]], who came to [[Colorado]] in 1859 in the [[Pikes Peak Gold Rush]], in the 1965 episode "The Great Turkey War" of the syndicated series, ''[[Death Valley Days]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556797/?ref_=tt_ep_nx|title=The Great Turkey War|publisher=[[IMDb]]|date=October 7, 1965|access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>
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In 1967, Baer appeared as General Whitfield on the ''[[I Dream of Jeannie]]'' episode, "Fly Me to the Moon".
In 1967, Baer appeared as General Whitfield on the ''[[I Dream of Jeannie]]'' episode, "Fly Me to the Moon".


Baer made two appearances on ''[[Petticoat Junction]]''. In the 1966 episode, "Jury at the Shady Rest", he was Bailiff Tucker. Then, in the 1969 episode, "The Glen Tinker Caper", he was Judge Madison.
Baer made two appearances on ''[[Petticoat Junction]]''. In the 1966 episode, "Jury at the Shady Rest", he was Bailiff Tucker. Then, in the 1969 episode, "The Glen Tinker Caper", he was Judge Madison.


Later guest appearances included ''[[Three for the Road (TV series)|Three for the Road]]'', ''[[Three's Company]]'' (as a cooking competition judge), ''[[The San Pedro Beach Bums]]'', ''[[The A-Team]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'', ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'', ''[[Night Court]]'', ''[[Newhart]]'', ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'', ''[[The Golden Girls]]'', ''[[Hazel (TV series)|Hazel]]'', and ''[[Mad About You]]''. He also played the role of the minister who married J. R. and Sue Ellen Ewing for their second marriage on ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]''. He also made guest appearances on ''[[F Troop]]''.
Later guest appearances included ''[[Three for the Road (TV series)|Three for the Road]]'', ''[[Three's Company]]'' (as a cooking competition judge), ''[[The San Pedro Beach Bums]]'', ''[[The A-Team]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'', ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]'', ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'', ''[[Night Court]]'', ''[[Newhart]]'', ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'', ''[[The Golden Girls]]'', ''[[Hazel (TV series)|Hazel]]'', and ''[[Mad About You]]''. He also played the role of the minister who married J. R. and Sue Ellen Ewing for their second marriage on ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]''. He also made guest appearances on ''[[F Troop]]''.


Baer's film roles included parts in several [[live-action]] [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] features, including ''[[Follow Me, Boys!]]'' (again as a mayor), ''[[The Ugly Dachshund]]'', and ''Those Calloways''. He also appeared in ''[[Two on a Guillotine]]'' and ''[[Dave (film)|Dave]]'' (as the [[Senate majority leader]]). Baer had a featured role in the 1958 war drama ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'', portraying a German officer and friend of [[Marlon Brando]].
Baer's film roles included parts in several [[live-action]] [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] features, including ''[[Follow Me, Boys!]]'' (again as a mayor), ''[[The Ugly Dachshund]]'', and ''Those Calloways''. He also appeared in ''[[Two on a Guillotine]]'' and ''[[Dave (film)|Dave]]'' (as the [[Senate majority leader]]). Baer had a featured role in the 1958 war drama ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'', portraying a German officer and friend of [[Marlon Brando]].


Baer was especially proud of his brief appearance in a little-known film, ''[[White Dog]]'', a powerful story about [[racism]]. Baer plays a character seen at first as a kindly grandfather, only to reveal himself as a hateful bigot who has trained the title character to attack black skin. Baer remarked, "Often racism, like true evil, presents itself with a smile and a handshake".
Baer was especially proud of his brief appearance in the film, ''[[White Dog (1982 film)|White Dog]]'', a powerful story about [[racism]]. Baer plays a character seen at first as a kindly grandfather, only to reveal himself as a hateful bigot who has trained the title character to attack black skin. Baer remarked, "Often racism, like true evil, presents itself with a smile and a handshake".


Some 10 years earlier, Baer played a closet racist in a well-known Christmas episode of ''Bewitched''. The episode "[[Sisters at Heart]]" aired on ABC on December 24, 1970, in which he played the role of Mr. Brockway, the owner of a toy-manufacturing firm.<ref>Pilato (2001), p. 216.</ref><ref name=Metz65>Metz (2007), p. 64.</ref>
Some 10 years earlier, Baer played a closet racist in a Christmas episode of ''Bewitched''. The episode "[[Sisters at Heart]]" aired on ABC on December 24, 1970, in which he played the role of Mr. Brockway, the owner of a toy-manufacturing firm.<ref>Pilato (2001), p. 216.</ref><ref name=Metz65>Metz (2007), p. 64.</ref>


==Commercials==
==Commercials==
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Baer was a long-term member of St. Nicholas [[Episcopal Church in the United States|Episcopal Church]] in [[Encino, California]], where he served in many capacities, including head usher.
Baer was a long-term member of St. Nicholas [[Episcopal Church in the United States|Episcopal Church]] in [[Encino, California]], where he served in many capacities, including head usher.


In 1969, Baer gave the eulogy at the funeral of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' castmate [[Howard McNear]]. McNear had portrayed Mayberry's [[Floyd Lawson|Floyd the Barber]] and Baer had played Mayor Roy Stoner. McNear also portrayed Doc Adams in the radio version of ''Gunsmoke'', often interacting with Baer's character, Chester Proudfoot.
In 1969, Baer gave the eulogy at the funeral of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' castmate [[Howard McNear]]. McNear had portrayed Mayberry's [[Floyd Lawson|Floyd the Barber]] and Baer had played Mayor Roy Stoner. McNear also portrayed Doc Adams in the radio version of ''Gunsmoke'', often interacting with Baer's character, Chester Proudfoot.


On November 11, 2002, following another [[stroke]], Baer was taken to the [[Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital]]. Eleven days later, at the age of 88, he died there.<ref name=lat/>
On November 11, 2002, following another [[stroke]], Baer was taken to the [[Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital]]. Eleven days later, at the age of 88, he died there.<ref name=lat/>
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* ''[[The Bob Cummings Show]]'' (1955, TV Series) as Wester
* ''[[The Bob Cummings Show]]'' (1955, TV Series) as Wester
* ''[[Our Miss Brooks]]'' (1952-1955, TV Series) as Mr Maynard / Mr Chambers / Bennett
* ''[[Our Miss Brooks]]'' (1952-1955, TV Series) as Mr Maynard / Mr Chambers / Bennett
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1956, TV Series) as Police Detective Gryar
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1956, TV Series) (Season 1 Episode 27: "Help Wanted") as Police Detective Gryar
* ''[[D-Day the Sixth of June]]'' (1956) as Sgt. Gerbert (uncredited)
* ''[[D-Day the Sixth of June]]'' (1956) as Sgt. Gerbert (uncredited)
* ''[[Away All Boats]]'' (1956) as Dr. Gates
* ''[[Away All Boats]]'' (1956) as Dr. Gates
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* ''[[Official Detective]]'' (1958, TV Series) as Sam Goodwin
* ''[[Official Detective]]'' (1958, TV Series) as Sam Goodwin
* ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'' (1958) as Sergeant Brandt
* ''[[The Young Lions (film)|The Young Lions]]'' (1958) as Sergeant Brandt
* ''[[Paul Bunyan (film)|Paul Bunyan]]'' (1958) as Chris Crosshaul
* ''[[The FBI Story]]'' (1959) as Harry Dakins
* ''[[The FBI Story]]'' (1959) as Harry Dakins
* ''[[Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse]]'' (1959, TV Series) as Gaunt
* ''[[Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse]]'' (1959, TV Series) as Gaunt
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* ''[[The Tom Ewell Show]]'' (1960, TV Series) as Mayor Bradford
* ''[[The Tom Ewell Show]]'' (1960, TV Series) as Mayor Bradford
* ''[[A Fever in the Blood]]'' (1961) as Charles 'Charlie' Bosworth
* ''[[A Fever in the Blood]]'' (1961) as Charles 'Charlie' Bosworth
* ''[[The Dick Powell Theatre]]'' (1962, TV Series) as Lt. Hockberg
* ''[[The Dick Powell Theatre]]'' (1962, TV Series) as Lieutenant Hockberg
* ''[[General Electric Theater]]'' (1954-1962, TV Series) as Harvey Seymour / Mayor Douglas / Haveman
* ''[[General Electric Theater]]'' (1954-1962, TV Series) as Harvey Seymour / Mayor Douglas / Haveman
* ''[[Bachelor Father (U.S. TV series)|Bachelor Father]]'' (1962, TV Series) as Dr. Whittaker
* ''[[Bachelor Father (U.S. TV series)|Bachelor Father]]'' (1962, TV Series) as Dr. Whittaker
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* ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1962-1963, TV Series) as Mayor Roy Stoner
* ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (1962-1963, TV Series) as Mayor Roy Stoner
* ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' (1963, TV Series) as Bryant / Dinny
* ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' (1963, TV Series) as Bryant / Dinny
* ''[[Dr. Kildare]]'' (1963, TV Series) as Dr. James Connors
* ''[[Dr. Kildare (TV series)|Dr. Kildare]]'' (1963, TV Series) as Dr. James Connors
* ''[[Wagon Train]]'' (1962-1963, TV Series) as George Talley / John Maitland / Clyde Montgomery
* ''[[Wagon Train]]'' (1962-1963, TV Series) as George Talley / John Maitland / Clyde Montgomery
* ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Charlie Cornwall
* ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Charlie Cornwall
* ''[[The Jack Benny Program]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Charlie Cornwall
* ''[[The Jack Benny Program]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Charlie Cornwall
* ''[[The Brass Bottle (1964 film)|The Brass Bottle]]'' (1964) as Samuel Wackerbath
* ''[[The Brass Bottle (1964 film)|The Brass Bottle]]'' (1964) as Samuel Wackerbath
* ''[[Bedtime Story (1964 film)|Bedtime Story]]'' (1964) as Col. Williams
* ''[[Bedtime Story (1964 film)|Bedtime Story]]'' (1964) as Colonel Williams
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Dr. Bernard Stone
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Dr. Bernard Stone
* ''[[Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Leonard F. Bellack
* ''[[Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre]]'' (1964, TV Series) as Leonard F. Bellack
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* ''[[The Bill Cosby Show]]'' (1970, TV Series) as Mr. Tyler
* ''[[The Bill Cosby Show]]'' (1970, TV Series) as Mr. Tyler
* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1962-1970, TV Series) as Henderson / Judge Jeremiah Pitt / Pat Magill / The Senator
* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1962-1970, TV Series) as Henderson / Judge Jeremiah Pitt / Pat Magill / The Senator
* ''[[Green Acres]]'' (1965-1971, TV Series) as Lt. Governor / Mister Peterson / Mr. Treffinger / Mr. Webster
* ''[[Green Acres]]'' (1965-1971, TV Series) as Lieutenant Governor / Mister Peterson / Mr. Treffinger / Mr. Webster
* ''[[Skin Game]]'' (1971) as Mr. Claggart
* ''[[Skin Game]]'' (1971) as Mr. Claggart
* ''[[Mod Squad]]'' (1971, TV Series) as Koger
* ''[[Mod Squad]]'' (1971, TV Series) as Koger
Line 209: Line 207:
* ''[[Bewitched]]'' (1966-1972, TV Series) as Walter Franklin / Mr. Burkeholder / Mr. Brockway / Desk Sergeant / Mr. Nickerson / Bigelow / Dr. Matthew Kramer / James Dennis Robinson
* ''[[Bewitched]]'' (1966-1972, TV Series) as Walter Franklin / Mr. Burkeholder / Mr. Brockway / Desk Sergeant / Mr. Nickerson / Bigelow / Dr. Matthew Kramer / James Dennis Robinson
* ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'' (1971-1973, TV Series) as Farraday / Dr. Fred Elter
* ''[[Medical Center (TV series)|Medical Center]]'' (1971-1973, TV Series) as Farraday / Dr. Fred Elter
* ''[[Kung Fu (TV series)|Kung Fu]]'' (1973, TV Series) as Dr. Gormley
* ''[[Kung Fu (1972 TV series)|Kung Fu]]'' (1973, TV Series) as Dr. Gormley
* ''Sixteen'' (1973) as The Reverend
* ''Sixteen'' (1973) as The Reverend
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' (1976, TV Series) as Jack Leopold
* ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' (1976, TV Series) as Jack Leopold
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* ''[[The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries]]'' (1977, TV Series) as Doc Wilson
* ''[[The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries]]'' (1977, TV Series) as Doc Wilson
* ''[[Charlie's Angels]]'' (1978-1979, TV Series) as Grandpa / Captain Jack McGuire
* ''[[Charlie's Angels]]'' (1978-1979, TV Series) as Grandpa / Captain Jack McGuire
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' (1979, TV Series) as Raymond
* ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' (1979, TV Series) as Raymond Harmell
* ''[[B.J. and the Bear]]'' (1980, TV Series) as Mayor
* ''[[B.J. and the Bear]]'' (1980, TV Series) as Mayor
* ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' (1976-1980, TV Series) as Mr. Williams / J.W. Diamond
* ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' (1976-1980, TV Series) as Mr. Williams / J.W. Diamond
Line 221: Line 219:
* ''[[Knots Landing]]'' (1981, TV Series) as Old Man
* ''[[Knots Landing]]'' (1981, TV Series) as Old Man
* ''[[Carbon Copy (film)|Carbon Copy]]'' (1981) as Dr. Bristol
* ''[[Carbon Copy (film)|Carbon Copy]]'' (1981) as Dr. Bristol
* ''An Ozzie and Harriet Christmas'' (1981, TV special on [[KTLA]] in [[Los Angeles]]) as self
* ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Constantine Wainwright
* ''[[Hart to Hart]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Constantine Wainwright
* ''[[Lou Grant (TV series)|Lou Grant]]'' (1979-1982, TV Series) as Ray Elders / Carlton Stiefel / Haggerty / Sheriff Burkhardt
* ''[[Lou Grant (TV series)|Lou Grant]]'' (1979-1982, TV Series) as Ray Elders / Carlton Stiefel / Haggerty / Sheriff Burkhardt
* ''[[White Dog]]'' (1982) as Wilber Hull
* ''[[White Dog (1982 film)|White Dog]]'' (1982) as Wilber Hull
* ''[[Father Murphy]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Banker
* ''[[Father Murphy]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Banker
* ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Minister Brown
* ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' (1982, TV Series) as Minister Brown
Line 243: Line 242:
* ''[[Almost an Angel]]'' (1990) as George Bealeman
* ''[[Almost an Angel]]'' (1990) as George Bealeman
* ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' (1991, TV Series) as Al Brown
* ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]'' (1991, TV Series) as Al Brown
* ''[[Quantum Leap]]'' (1991-1992, TV Series) as Judge Shiner / Dr. Rogers
* ''[[Quantum Leap (1989 TV series)|Quantum Leap]]'' (1991-1992, TV Series) as Judge Shiner / Dr. Rogers
* ''Space Case'' (1992) as Bitby
* ''Space Case'' (1992) as Bitby
* ''[[Mad About You]]'' (1993, TV Series) as The Husband
* ''[[Mad About You]]'' (1993, TV Series) as The Husband
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* ''[[Coach (TV series)|Coach]]'' (1995, TV Series) as Frank
* ''[[Coach (TV series)|Coach]]'' (1995, TV Series) as Frank
* ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' (1996, TV Series) as Old Man #1
* ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' (1996, TV Series) as Old Man #1
* ''Man and Cat'' (2001) as Cat (final film role)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Biography|Utah|California|Radio|Film|Television|Christianity}}
{{Portal|Biography|Utah|California|Radio|Film|Television|Christianity}}
* {{IMDb name|0046373}}
* {{IMDb name|0046373}}
* {{AllMovie name|3222}}
{{Memory Alpha}}
{{Memory Alpha}}
* {{Find a Grave|6954122}}
* {{Find a Grave|6954122}}
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[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:1914 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American Episcopalians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male radio actors]]
[[Category:American male radio actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)]]
[[Category:Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Male actors from Salt Lake City]]
[[Category:Male actors from Utah]]
[[Category:Male actors from Utah]]
[[Category:20th-century American Episcopalians]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Utah]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces officers]]
⚫
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 18:36, 22 December 2024

Parley Baer
Baer in an episode of The Public Defender (1954)
Born
Parley Edward Baer

(1914-08-05)August 5, 1914
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
DiedNovember 22, 2002(2002-11-22) (aged 88)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park - Hollywood Hills Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1940–2001
Spouse
Ernestine Clarke
​
​
(m. 1946; died 2000)​
Children2
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942–1946[1]
Rank Captain
Battles / warsWorld War II
Awards Army Presidential Unit Citation
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

Parley Edward Baer (August 5, 1914 – November 22, 2002) was an American actor in radio and later in television and film.[2] Despite dozens of appearances in television series and theatrical films, he remains best known as the original "Chester" in the radio version of Gunsmoke, and as the Mayor of Mayberry (Roy Stoner) in The Andy Griffith Show.

Early life, family and education

[edit]

Parley Edward Baer was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He studied drama at the University of Utah.[3]

Career

[edit]

Baer had a circus background, but he began his radio career at Utah station KSL.

Circus

[edit]

Early in his career, Baer was a circus ringmaster and publicist. He left those roles for military service in World War II. In the 1950s, he had a job training wild animals at Jungleland USA in Thousand Oaks, California. Still later, he served as a docent at the Los Angeles Zoo.[2]

Military

[edit]

Baer was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain.[2] He served from 1942 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater, earning an Army Presidential Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and seven service stars.[1][2]

Radio

[edit]

Baer in the 1930s served on radio as director of special events for KSL.[4] His first network show was The Whistler, which was soon followed by appearances on Escape (notably narrating "Wild Jack Rhett" and as the title patriot in an adaptation of Stephen Vincent Benét's "A Tooth for Paul Revere"), Suspense, Tales of the Texas Rangers (as various local sheriffs), Dragnet, The CBS Radio Workshop, Lux Radio Theater, The Six Shooter, and Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, to name a few.

In 1952, he began playing Chester, the trusty jailhouse assistant to Marshal Matt Dillon on the radio version of Gunsmoke, eventually ad-libbing the character's full name, "Chester Wesley Proudfoot" (later changed to "Chester Goode" in the televised version of the series, which featured Dennis Weaver in the role of Chester). Baer also worked as a voice actor on several other radio shows produced by Norman MacDonnell, performing as Pete the Marshal on the situation comedy The Harold Peary Show, as Doc Clemens on Rogers of the Gazette, and as additional characters on Fort Laramie and The Adventures of Philip Marlowe.

Other recurring roles included Eb the farm hand on Granby's Green Acres (the radio predecessor to television's Green Acres), Gramps on The Truitts, and Rene the manservant on a radio version of The Count of Monte Cristo. His later radio work included playing Reginald Duffield and Uncle Joe Finneman on the Focus on the Family series Adventures in Odyssey in the 1980s and 1990s.

Radio playwright and director Norman Corwin cast Baer as Simon Legree in the 1969 KCET television reading of his 1938 radio play The Plot to Overthrow Christmas.

Films and television

[edit]

As an on-camera performer, Baer was recognizable by his distinctive voice, his paunchy appearance, and his balding head. Often he portrayed fussy, bossy, and/or obstinate officials or neighbors. Extended television roles included blustering, by-the-book Mayor Stoner on The Andy Griffith Show, the neighbor Darby on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, frequent guest appearances on The Addams Family as insurance man and city commissioner Arthur J. Henson, and in the late 1990s, Miles Dugan on The Young and the Restless. He also appeared as a telephone executive on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Baer guest-starred in the 1950s on NBC's The Dennis Day Show and It's a Great Life, on CBS's Hey, Jeannie!, on ABC's The Law and Mr. Jones with James Whitmore, on the syndicated crime drama Johnny Midnight with Edmond O'Brien, and on the NBC children's western series, Fury with Peter Graves and Bobby Diamond. He made six guest appearances on Perry Mason during the last five seasons of the CBS legal drama, including the role of Edward Farraday in the 1962 episode, "The Case of the Captain's Coins," and Willard Hupp in the 1963 episode, "The Case of the Bouncing Boomerang".

He also appeared on the ABC sitcom Harrigan and Son, on the ABC/Warner Bros. crime drama, The Roaring 20s, on NBC's crime drama Dan Raven starring Skip Homeier, and on the NBC family drama, National Velvet. Baer was cast twice on Walter Brennan's sitcom, The Real McCoys. He also guest-starred on the CBS sitcoms Dennis the Menace with Jay North, The Tom Ewell Show with Tom Ewell, and Angel, starring Annie Fargé. In the latter, he carried the lead as Dr. Mathews in the single episode "The Dentist", with Maudie Prickett as his dental secretary.

In 1961, Baer guest-starred on Marilyn Maxwell's short-lived ABC drama series, Bus Stop. On April 13, 1962, he appeared, along with Frank Ferguson and Royal Dano in ABC's crime drama Target: The Corruptors in the episode "Journey into Mourning". He was cast as hotel owner Mr. Kringelein in the 1962 film, Gypsy, opposite Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell.

In 1963, Baer appeared with Charles Aidman and Karl Swenson in the three-part episode "Security Risk", a story of international blackmail and intrigue, on the CBS anthology series, GE True, hosted by Jack Webb.[citation needed]

In 1964, Baer was cast as a sheriff in an episode of Mickey Rooney's short-lived Mickey sitcom, and as a scientist in an Outer Limits episode, "Behold, Eck!" He was seen in four episodes of Hogan's Heroes and eight episodes of Bewitched in various roles as advertising clients of McMann and Tate.

Baer was cast as Horace Greeley, who came to Colorado in 1859 in the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, in the 1965 episode "The Great Turkey War" of the syndicated series, Death Valley Days.[5]

In 1967, Baer appeared as General Whitfield on the I Dream of Jeannie episode, "Fly Me to the Moon".

Baer made two appearances on Petticoat Junction. In the 1966 episode, "Jury at the Shady Rest", he was Bailiff Tucker. Then, in the 1969 episode, "The Glen Tinker Caper", he was Judge Madison.

Later guest appearances included Three for the Road, Three's Company (as a cooking competition judge), The San Pedro Beach Bums, The A-Team, Star Trek: Voyager, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Dukes of Hazzard, Night Court, Newhart, Little House on the Prairie, The Golden Girls, Hazel, and Mad About You. He also played the role of the minister who married J. R. and Sue Ellen Ewing for their second marriage on Dallas. He also made guest appearances on F Troop.

Baer's film roles included parts in several live-action Disney features, including Follow Me, Boys! (again as a mayor), The Ugly Dachshund, and Those Calloways. He also appeared in Two on a Guillotine and Dave (as the Senate majority leader). Baer had a featured role in the 1958 war drama The Young Lions, portraying a German officer and friend of Marlon Brando.

Baer was especially proud of his brief appearance in the film, White Dog, a powerful story about racism. Baer plays a character seen at first as a kindly grandfather, only to reveal himself as a hateful bigot who has trained the title character to attack black skin. Baer remarked, "Often racism, like true evil, presents itself with a smile and a handshake".

Some 10 years earlier, Baer played a closet racist in a Christmas episode of Bewitched. The episode "Sisters at Heart" aired on ABC on December 24, 1970, in which he played the role of Mr. Brockway, the owner of a toy-manufacturing firm.[6][7]

Commercials

[edit]

Baer voiced Ernie Keebler in the cookie commercials[2] before he suffered a stroke in 1997 which affected both speech and movement. He recovered sufficiently to make a handful of appearances at old-time radio conventions in his later years. In the 1980s he dressed in old-time garb as "Mr. S", one of the company founders, in commercials for S&W Fine Foods.

Personal life and death

[edit]

In 1946, Baer met and married circus aerialist and bareback rider Ernestine Clarke. They were together for 54 years until her death on August 5, 2000, in Tarzana, California.[2][8]

Baer was a long-term member of St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Encino, California, where he served in many capacities, including head usher.

In 1969, Baer gave the eulogy at the funeral of The Andy Griffith Show castmate Howard McNear. McNear had portrayed Mayberry's Floyd the Barber and Baer had played Mayor Roy Stoner. McNear also portrayed Doc Adams in the radio version of Gunsmoke, often interacting with Baer's character, Chester Proudfoot.

On November 11, 2002, following another stroke, Baer was taken to the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital. Eleven days later, at the age of 88, he died there.[3]

Filmography

[edit]

Listen to

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Baer, Parley Edward, Capt – USAAF Veteran airforce.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Harrigan, Tom (November 24, 2002). "Character actor Parley Baer". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 21. Retrieved March 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ a b Oliver, Myrna (November 24, 2002). "Parley Baer, 88; 64-Year Career Spanned Radio, TV, Movies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Parley Baer Goes Into Lion's Den". Daily Mail. December 8, 1962. p. 29. Retrieved March 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ "The Great Turkey War". IMDb. October 7, 1965. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  6. ^ Pilato (2001), p. 216.
  7. ^ Metz (2007), p. 64.
  8. ^ "Ernestine Clarke". The Telegraph. August 26, 2000. Retrieved April 4, 2015 – via Telegraph.co.uk. Open access icon

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Parley Baer.
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