Bern Hoffman
Bern Hoffman | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo of Bern Hoffman | |
| Born | Benjamin Bernard Hoffman February 17, 1913 Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 1979 (aged 66) Sherman Oaks, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1937–1976 |
| Spouse | Diana Hoffman[1] |
| Children | 2[1] |
Benjamin Bernard Hoffman (February 17, 1913 – December 15, 1979) was an American film, television and theatre actor. He was best known for playing Earthquake McGoon in Li'l Abner, both in the Broadway play and in the 1959 film.[2][3]
Life and career
[edit]Hoffman was born in Maryland,[4] the son of Rose Hoffman.[5] He had a brother and a sister.[5] He attended Johns Hopkins University, where he studied medicine,[1] and also attended Loyola College,[5] studying explosives engineering. He dropped out of college to support his family.[1]
Hoffman began his screen career in 1937, appearing in two films, Meet the Missus and Forty Naughty Girls, playing the uncredited role of an orchestra leader in both films. He made his theatre debut in 1944, appearing in the Broadway play Catherine Was Great. He also played Joey Biltmore in Guys and Dolls, during its first production. He later played Pawnee Bill in the Broadway play Annie Get Your Gun.[1]
Hoffman later moved to North Hollywood, California with his family. He played Earthquake McGoon in the film version of the Broadway play Li'l Abner.[1] His film and television credits included On The Town, Tombstone Territory, The Man Who Understood Women, Bonanza, Ironside,[1] Death Valley Days, The Phil Silvers Show, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Rawhide, The Outfit and The Streets of San Francisco.[1]
Death
[edit]Hoffman died on December 15, 1979 at the Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 66. He was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Veteran Character Actor Bern Hoffman Dies at 66". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. December 17, 1979. p. 35. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Broadway's Best Bad Guy". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Lancaster, Ohio. November 13, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Crowther, Bosley (December 12, 1959). "The Screen: 'Li'l Abner'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ↑ Kotar, S. L.; Gessler, J. E. (December 2009). Riverboat: The Evolution of a Television Series, 1959-1961. BearManor Media. p. 102. ISBN 9781593935054 – via Google Books.
- 1 2 3 Zeitlin, Arnold (January 20, 1957). "Presenting a Good Man At His Worst". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. p. 185. Retrieved November 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
[edit]- Bern Hoffman at IMDb
- Bern Hoffman at the TCM Movie Database (archived)
- Rotten Tomatoes profile
