Maurice Cass, a renowned actor, was born on October 12, 1884, in Vilnius, Lithuania, which was then part of the Russian Empire, under the name Vilno. He later emigrated to the United States, driven by his passion for an acting career.
Cass's early career in New York began with roles as an announcer and comedian. His pleasant face, small body, and distinctive big voice made him an instant standout. His nearsightedness and signature pince-nez added a touch of intellectual sophistication to his already intelligent face, which led him to be cast in roles that showcased his particular brand of affable, slightly absent-minded officiousness.
Throughout his extensive career, Cass played a wide range of characters, including professors, doctors, writers, and managers, often in bit parts, and occasionally uncredited. He appeared in over 120 film and television productions, solidifying his status as a character actor.
One of Cass's most notable roles was that of Professor Newton, a supporting character in a series of space adventure movies produced for television and aired from 1954 to 1956. As the snow-white-haired Professor Newton, Cass would consistently provide the scientific explanations for the fantastical events unfolding before the viewer. His character, Professor Newton, had his own observatory, which was filmed at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, and despite his advanced age, he would frequently accompany the astronauts on their thrilling space missions.
Tragically, Maurice Cass's character, Professor Newton, was replaced by Professor Mayberry after his untimely death from a heart attack on June 8, 1954, at the age of 69, in Hollywood, California.
