Theo Marcuse

Theodore Carroll Marcuse (August 2, 1920 – November 29, 1967) was an American character actor who appeared frequently on television in the 1950s and 1960s. Often portraying villains, Marcuse's sinister, hulking countenance was enhanced by a shaven head.

Theodore Marcuse
Theodore Marcuse appearing in an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Born
Theodore Carroll Marcuse

(1920-08-02)August 2, 1920
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
DiedNovember 29, 1967(1967-11-29) (aged 47)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeGolden Gate National Cemetery
Other namesTheo Marcuse
OccupationActor
Years active1950–1967

Early years

Marcuse was born in Seattle, Washington to Margaret and Theodore M. Marcuse, a World War I veteran and co-owner of Klementis-Marcuse, Co., fur retailer.

After growing up in San Francisco, he studied dramatic arts at Stanford University and was active in theatrical productions there.[1] Later he received a master's degree in classical literature from Stanford.

Military service

Marcuse served with the Navy during World War II and was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation for his heroism while serving as a lieutenant on the famed submarine USS Tirante. Other officers on board included future Massachusetts governor Endicott Peabody and author Edward L. Beach, Jr., who wrote the submarine classic Run Silent, Run Deep.

Career

Marcuse's love for William Shakespeare's plays led to a desire to act on the stage. He trained under Guthrie McClintic in his theatre company, along with Charlton Heston, and appeared on Broadway with Katharine Cornell, Maurice Evans and others. In 1948-1949, he toured nationally for nine months in a production of Medea.[1]

On television he appeared on many series, including The Beverly Hillbillies, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Wild Wild West, Have Gun – Will Travel, Bonanza, Hogan's Heroes (the 1967 episode "The Hostage", as General von Heiner, filmed not long before his fatal car accident, first airing two and a half weeks after his death), Batman, Star Trek (episode "Catspaw", first airing, fittingly, the week of Halloween in 1967, one month before his death), The Time Tunnel, I Spy, The Monkees, Perry Mason, Peter Gunn, The Untouchables, The Twilight Zone episodes "The Trade-Ins" and "To Serve Man", and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. episodes "The Re-collectors Affair," "The Minus-X Affair," and "The Pieces of Fate Affair". His film career included roles in The Two Little Bears (1961), Hitler (1962, as Julius Streicher), A Tiger Walks (1964), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Mara of the Wilderness (1965), Harum Scarum (1965), The Last of the Secret Agents? (1966), The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) and The Picasso Summer (1969).

Death

Marcuse died in a traffic accident in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, at the age of 47.[2] He was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.[3]

Partial filmography

References
  1. "Theodore Marcuse Is Directing Honolulu Production of 'Medea'". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Hawaii, Honolulu. June 18, 1949. p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Person Details for Theodore C Marcuse, "California Death Index, 1940-1997" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org.
  3. Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 476. ISBN 9781476625997. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
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