You may recognize Leonard Stone from one of the outlandish number of television series in which he appeard from the mid-50’s to the mid-80’s. The wide range of performances can be found in such shows as The Defenders, I Spy, Lost in Space, Dragnet 1967, The Bob Newhart Show, Sanford and Son, M*A*S*H, All in the Family, and Night Court – to just scratch the surface.
But his most notable role had to be as used car salesman and the all-around slick Sam Beauregarde, the father of gum-chomping Violet Beauregarde, in the classic and zany film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. My friend Bob had obtained a signed photo from this film at one of the Hollywood Collectors Shows of years past.
I brought this along with me when he was making an appearance at the same show years later on July 18, 2009. I slickly told him that I had obtained the photo earlier and didn’t get a photo with him. Although I didn’t quite imply it, I think he assumed that I meant earlier in the day. Either way, he was incredibly nice and more than willing to pose for a photo with me. Obviously the former used car salesman had become an upstanding guy in the intervening years.
Celebrities of the July 2009 Burbank show will continue…
For me, it is Mr. Stone’s varied appearances on “Barney Miller” which are the most memorable.
Peter
January 23rd, 2010
“you’re turning violet, Violet!”
Eric Hubble
February 1st, 2010