Carl Benton Reid

Carl Benton Reid (August 14, 1893 – March 16, 1973) was an American actor.

For the Roman Catholic priest, see Carl Reid.
Carl Benton Reid
Carl Benton Reid in The North Star (1943)
Born(1893-08-14)August 14, 1893
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMarch 16, 1973(1973-03-16) (aged 79)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
OccupationActor
Years active1929–1949 (stage)
1940–1966 (film)
Spouse(s)Hazel Harrison (until his death)[1]
Children1 daughter

Early years

Reid was born in Lansing, Michigan.[2] He used his full name professionally because when he worked in radio, four other people in the business were named Carl Reid.[3]

Career
Tallulah Bankhead, Charles Dingle, Carl Benton Reid and Dan Duryea in the original Broadway production of The Little Foxes (1939)

For seven years, Reid performed in leading-man roles of productions at the Cleveland Play House. He achieved fame on the Broadway stage in 1939 as Oscar Hubbard, one of Regina Giddens's (Tallulah Bankhead) greedy, devious brothers in the play The Little Foxes,[4] and made his film debut reprising his role opposite Bette Davis in the 1941 film version. He also appeared in several Shakespeare plays on Broadway, and in the original production of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh, as Harry Slade. His stern, cold demeanor quickly stereotyped him in villainous, and/or unpleasant characters, although he could play a sympathetic role, as he did occasionally in such films as the 1957 TV-movie version of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Here he played the Mayor of Middelburg, who unsuccessfully requests help from the Mayor of Hamelin (Claude Rains), when Hamelin is the victim of a flood. The flood leads to the famous plague of rats which invade Hamelin, and set the main plot in motion. He played the American Admiral, who is leading the peace talks between the Americans and Chinese during the Korean War in MGM's Pork Chop Hill. His last film role was the judge in Madame X (1966).

On old-time radio, Reid played Roger Allen in the soap opera Big Sister.[5]

On television, Reid had the role of the U.S. spymaster known only as The Man in Amos Burke, Secret Agent.[6] He made four guest appearances on Perry Mason during the show's nine-year run between 1957–66. His final television role was as Claude Townsend in the TV series The F.B.I..

Personal life

Reid was married to actress Hazel Harrison, whom he met at the Cleveland Play House. They had a daughter, Shirley Jane.[4]

Death

On March 16, 1973, Reid died at his home in Studio City, California, at age 79. He was survived by his wife and his daughter.[4]

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Carl Benton Reid". www.nndb.com.
  2. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 96. ISBN 9780786409839. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  3. "Popular Name". Belvidere Daily Republican. Illinois, Belvidere. November 30, 1938. p. 5. Retrieved July 6, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Carl Benton Reid, Actor, Dies at 79". The New York Times. March 21, 1973. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4.
  6. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
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