Charles Lane, a scowling, beady-eyed, and beak-nosed character, was a ubiquitous presence in hundreds of movies and TV sitcoms. He typically played the role of a killjoy, bringing out comedic moments by dampening the spirit of his nemesis.
Born Charles Gerstle Levison on January 26, 1905, in San Francisco, Lane was one of the last survivors of the 1906 earthquake. He started his career selling insurance, but soon turned to acting after being prodded by director Irving Pichel. Lane joined the Pasadena Playhouse company, which trained stage actors for the cinema, and performed in scores of classical and contemporary plays.
Lane made his film debut in 1931 as a hotel clerk in Smart Money, starring Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. He was one of the first to join the Screen Actors' Guild and typically performed many of his early roles without screen credit. He appeared in numerous films, including Twentieth Century, You Can't Take It with You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life, and No Time for Sergeants.
Lane's career was interrupted during World War II, when he served in the Coast Guard. After the war, he found success on television, appearing in popular sitcoms such as Topper, The Real McCoys, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Mister Ed, Bewitched, Get Smart, Gomer Pyle: USMC, The Munsters, Green Acres, The Flying Nun, and Maude.
Lane was also a regular on various TV shows, including Dennis the Menace, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Soap. He played recurring roles on Petticoat Junction and L.A. Law, and appeared in TV movies such as Sybil and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.
Lane was a benevolent person in real life, but his on-screen persona was often that of a crank. He was married to actress Ruth Covell for 71 years and had a daughter, a son, and a granddaughter. Lane lived to be 102 years old and passed away peacefully at his Brentwood, California home, surrounded by his family.
