Howard Irving Smith (August 12, 1893 in Attleboro, Massachusetts â€"
January 10, 1968 in Hollywood, California) was an American character
actor with a 50-year career in vaudeville, theatre, radio, films and
television. In 1938 he performed in Orson Welles's short-lived stage
production and once-lost film, Too Much Johnson, and in the celebrated
radio production, "The War of the Worlds". He portrayed Charley in the
original Broadway production of Death of a Salesman and recreated the
role in the 1951 film version. On television Smith portrayed the gruff
Harvey Griffin in the situation comedy, Hazel.Howard Irving Smith was
born August 12, 1893, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, to parents George
H. Smith and Sybelle Pollard Smith.Smith began as a concert singer,
but his hopes of an opera career were ended after his service in the
77th Infantry Division in World War I. Enrico Caruso suggested that he
try a musical act in vaudeville. He formed a team with his friend
Harry Meeker and later, as a comedian, he shared bills with Frank Fay,
Sophie Tucker, James Barton and Bessie Clayton.In 1928, with big-time
vaudeville ending, Smith landed a job on radio's popular The Collier
Hour, and received $35 for three minutes work. His radio career
continued with The March of Time, Cavalcade of America, Forty Minutes
in Hollywood and Crime Doctor. Smith created the role of Sergeant
Velie in The Adventures of Ellery Queen.:8 He played the role of Will
Brown, Homer's father, on radio's The Aldrich Family:21 and later
reprised the role on the NBC television series.:23
January 10, 1968 in Hollywood, California) was an American character
actor with a 50-year career in vaudeville, theatre, radio, films and
television. In 1938 he performed in Orson Welles's short-lived stage
production and once-lost film, Too Much Johnson, and in the celebrated
radio production, "The War of the Worlds". He portrayed Charley in the
original Broadway production of Death of a Salesman and recreated the
role in the 1951 film version. On television Smith portrayed the gruff
Harvey Griffin in the situation comedy, Hazel.Howard Irving Smith was
born August 12, 1893, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, to parents George
H. Smith and Sybelle Pollard Smith.Smith began as a concert singer,
but his hopes of an opera career were ended after his service in the
77th Infantry Division in World War I. Enrico Caruso suggested that he
try a musical act in vaudeville. He formed a team with his friend
Harry Meeker and later, as a comedian, he shared bills with Frank Fay,
Sophie Tucker, James Barton and Bessie Clayton.In 1928, with big-time
vaudeville ending, Smith landed a job on radio's popular The Collier
Hour, and received $35 for three minutes work. His radio career
continued with The March of Time, Cavalcade of America, Forty Minutes
in Hollywood and Crime Doctor. Smith created the role of Sergeant
Velie in The Adventures of Ellery Queen.:8 He played the role of Will
Brown, Homer's father, on radio's The Aldrich Family:21 and later
reprised the role on the NBC television series.:23
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