Bill Alton, a renowned figure in the world of entertainment, was one of the founding members of Chicago's esteemed Second City troupe, alongside notable individuals such as Edward Asner, Alan Arkin, and Joan Rivers, among others. His personal life was intertwined with the troupe, as his wife, Dolores Alton, and his ex-wife, Zohra Lampert, were also part of the group.
Following his involvement in World War II, Alton attended the University of Chicago, where he became involved with the Second City. His early foray into live theater was in the production "Three Blind Mice," alongside Melvin Douglas. He also made appearances on the television shows "That Was the Week That Was" (1962) and "General Electric Theater" (1953).
Alton's impressive career continued with numerous television commercials, including the iconic Thom McCann "Man in the Shoe" campaign, which he appeared in until the early 1970s. He then transitioned to directing, earning numerous awards for his work on commercials such as "You're the Cream in my Coffee" and "Take the Nestea Plunge." In the 1980s, Alton retired from directing and began teaching acting in New York City and at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.
Later in life, Alton made a triumphant return to the stage, appearing in the Broadway productions "Our Town," which was taped for broadcast on PBS, and "UbU" alongside Oliver Platt. Tragically, Bill Alton passed away at the Actor's Fund Retirement Home in Englewood, New Jersey in 1998.
