Grover "George" Alan Cleveland (September 17, 1885 – July 15, 1957) was a

Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...

film actor. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1930 and 1954.

Career

Cleveland was born in

Sydney, Nova Scotia Sydney is a former city and urban community on the east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Sydney was founded in 1785 by the British, was incorporated as a city in 1904, and dissolv ...

, Canada. His first appearance on the stage was in ''The Octaroon'' as a teenager. Cleveland was active as a

Vaudevillian Vaudeville (; ) is a theatre, theatrical genre of variety show, variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comic ...

before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he worked in films via acting, producing and directing. Although Cleveland played in more than 150 films during his 58-year career in show business, he acknowledged that he was most well-known for his role as George "Gramps" Miller in the early years of the long running American television series ''Lassie''. Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons (1954–1956) and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season (1957). His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season (1957) and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.

Death

Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in

Burbank, California Burbank is a city in the southeastern end of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Located northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a Census-estimated population of 102,755 as of 2023. The city was ...

at age 71. He was survived by his spouse Dorothy Melleck, whom he married as a widower in 1955. Cleveland was previously married to

Victory Bateman Victory Bateman (April 6, 1865 in Philadelphia – March 2, 1926 in Los Angeles) was an American silent film actress. Her father, Thomas Creese, and her mother, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Creese, were both actors. On stage, Ms. Bateman appeared in the ...

(20 years his senior) between 1910–1926, whom he had met while both actors were touring in Vaudeville.

Selected filmography

* '' The Thoroughbred'' (1930) - Detective (uncredited) * '' Sky Raiders'' (1931) - John - the Air Dispatcher (uncredited) * '' He Couldn't Take It'' (1933) - Drunk (uncredited) * '' A Woman's Man'' (1934) - Announcer at Premiere (uncredited) * '' Mystery Liner'' (1934) - Simms the Steward * '' School for Girls'' (1934) - Reeves * ''

House of Mystery ''The House of Mystery'' is the name of several horror comics, horror, fantasy comics, fantasy, and mystery fiction, mystery comics anthology, comics anthologies published by DC Comics. It had a companion series, ''The House of Secrets (DC Comi ...

'' (1934) - Detective Clancy (uncredited) * '' Voice in the Night'' (1934) - Worker (uncredited) * ''

City Limits City limits or city boundaries refer to the defined boundary (real estate), boundary or border of a city. The area within the city limit can be called the city proper. Town limit/boundary and village limit/boundary apply to towns and villages. ...

'' (1934) - Graflex (uncredited) * '' Blue Steel'' (1934) - Hank - Innkeeper * ''

The Man from Utah ''The Man from Utah'' is a 1934 pre-Code Monogram Western (genre), Western film starring John Wayne, Polly Ann Young and the stuntman/actor Yakima Canutt. It was written by Lindsley Parsons and directed by Robert N. Bradbury. Wayne has a "singi ...

'' (1934) - Nevada Sheriff * '' Monte Carlo Nights'' (1934) - Croupier * ''

The Star Packer ''The Star Packer'' is a 1934 Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne, George "Gabby" Hayes, Yakima Canutt, and Verna Hillie. Plot U.S. Marshal John Travers becomes the sheriff of a turn-of-the-2 ...

'' (1934) - Jake - Cook (uncredited) * '' Girl o' My Dreams'' (1934) - Newsreel Company Man (uncredited) * '' The Hoosier Schoolmaster'' (1935) - Townsman (uncredited) * '' Make a Million'' (1935) - Fake Blind Beggar * '' The Keeper of the Bees'' (1935) - Judge * '' She Gets Her Man'' (1935) - Drunk in Lunch Room (uncredited) * '' Cheers of the Crowd'' (1935) - Newsreel Man (uncredited) * '' The Public Menace'' (1935) - Ship's Pilot (uncredited) * ''

His Night Out ''His Night Out'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by William Nigh and written by Harry Clork and Doris Malloy. The film stars Edward Everett Horton, Irene Hervey, Jack La Rue, Robert McWade, Lola Lane and Willard Robertson. The fil ...

'' (1935) - Detective * '' The Spanish Cape Mystery'' (1935) - Jorum * ''

Forced Landing A forced landing is a landing by an aircraft made under factors outside the pilot's control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components, or weather which makes continued flight impossible. However, the term also means a landing that has ...

'' (1935) - Jolly * '' I Conquer the Sea!'' (1936) - Caleb Ashley * '' Black Gold'' (1936) - Clemmons * '' Don't Get Personal'' (1936) - The Farmer * '' Brilliant Marriage'' (1936) - Bartender * ''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established ''Buck Rogers'' ...

'' (1936, Serial) - Professor Hensley * '' Rio Grande Romance'' (1936) - Sheriff Williams * '' Revolt of the Zombies'' (1936) - Gen. Duval * '' Two-Fisted Gentleman'' (1936) - Mr. Bainbridge * '' Phantom Patrol'' (1936) - Inspector McCloud * '' Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island'' (1936) - Goebel - Gang Scientist * '' North of Nome'' (1936) - Ship Captain * '' The Plainsman'' (1936) - Van Ellyn Associate (uncredited) * '' The Devil Diamond'' (1937) - George Davis * '' Breezing Home'' (1937) - Politician (uncredited) * '' Paradise Express'' (1937) - Farmer Beasley * '' Swing It, Professor'' (1937) - Dean * '' Night Key'' (1937) - Sam Adams - Company Engineer (uncredited) * '' West Bound Limited'' (1937) - Division Superintendent (uncredited) * ''

The Toast of New York ''The Toast of New York'' is a 1937 American biographical film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Edward Arnold, Cary Grant, Frances Farmer, and Jack Oakie. The film is a fictionalized account of the lives of financiers James Fisk and ...

'' (1937) - Perkins - Luke's Secretary in Boston (uncredited) * '' Atlantic Flight'' (1937) - Old-Timer in Diner (uncredited) * '' Trapped by G-Men'' (1937) - Miner * '' Small Town Boy'' (1937) - Police Station Man (unconfirmed) * ''

Behind the Mike ''Behind the Mike'' was a Blue Network (NBC) radio series hosted by Graham McNamee, spotlighting behind-the-scenes stories in radio broadcasting. The sustaining show aired Sundays at 4:30 p.m. ET from September 15, 1940, to April 19, 194 ...

'' (1937) - Stable Man * '' A Girl with Ideas'' (1937) - Malladay (uncredited) * ''

Adventure's End ''Adventure's End'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Wayne and Diana Gibson. It was distributed by Universal Pictures.Zmijewsky, Steve; Ricci, Mark (1970). "The Complete Films of John Wayne". Citadel ...

'' (1937) - Tom * '' Boy of the Streets'' (1937) - Tim 'Flannel-Mouth' Farley * '' Prescription for Romance'' (1937) - Cab Driver (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

'' (1938, Serial) - George Blanchard * '' Born to Be Wild'' (1938) - Stevens (uncredited) * '' The Port of Missing Girls'' (1938) - Clinton * '' Rose of the Rio Grande'' (1938) - Pedro * '' Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars'' (1938, Serial) - Professor Hensley (scenes deleted) * '' Outlaws of Sonora'' (1938) - Association Director (uncredited) * '' Romance of the Limberlost'' (1938) - Nathan * ''

Prison Break ''Prison Break'' is an American Crime film#Crime drama, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. The series revolves around two brothers: Lincoln Burrows (Dominic P ...

'' (1938) - Ding * '' Under the Big Top'' (1938) - Joe * '' The Strange Case of Dr. Meade'' (1938) - Thurber * ''

Ghost Town Riders ''Ghost Town Riders'' is a 1938 American Western film written and directed by George Waggner. The film stars Bob Baker, Fay McKenzie, Hank Worden, George Cleveland, Forrest Taylor and Glenn Strange. The film was released on December 16, 19 ...

'' (1938) - Judge Stillwell * '' Convict's Code'' (1939) - Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) * ''

Home on the Prairie ''Home on the Prairie'' is a 1939 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Jack Townley and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and June Storey. Written by Charles Arthur Powell and Paul Franklin, the film is about a cattle inspector' ...

'' (1939) - Jim Wheeler * '' The Phantom Stage'' (1939) - Sidekick Grizzly * '' Streets of New York'' (1939) - Pop O'Toole * '' Wolf Call'' (1939) - Dr. MacTavish * ''

Stunt Pilot Stunt flying refers to any stunts performed in an aircraft. It encompasses aerobatics, wing walking, and transferring from one airplane to another or to a moving vehicle on the ground, such as an automobile or train, and vice versa. History From t ...

'' (1939) - Sheriff * '' Konga, the Wild Stallion'' (1939) - Tabor * '' Dick Tracy's G-Men'' (1939, Serial) - Gramps Williams (uncredited) * '' Mutiny in the Big House'' (1939) - Convict 'Dad' Schultz * '' Overland Mail'' (1939) - Frank Porter - aka Saunders *'' Hidden Enemy'' (1940) - John MacGregor * '' Chasing Trouble'' (1940) - Lester * '' Pioneers of the West'' (1940) - Dr. Bailey * '' Queen of the Yukon'' (1940) - Dr. Bailey * '' Drums of Fu Manchu'' (1940, Serial) - Dr. James Parker h.1* ''

Midnight Limited ''Midnight Limited'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Harrison Carter and Charles Williams. The film stars John 'Dusty' King, Marjorie Reynolds, George Cleveland, Edward Keane, Monte Collins and I. ...

'' (1940) - Prof. Van Dillon * '' Blazing Six Shooters'' (1940) - Mark Rawlins * ''

Tomboy A tomboy is a girl or young woman who generally expresses masculine traits. Such traits may include wearing androgynous or unfeminine clothing and engaging in activities and behaviors traditionally associated with boys or men. Origins The w ...

'' (1940) - Uncle Matt * '' One Man's Law'' (1940) - Judge Wingate * ''

Haunted House A haunted house, spook house or ghost house in ghostlore is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were otherwise connected with the property ...

'' (1940) - Albert Henshaw * '' Queen of the Yukon'' (1940) - Grub * '' The Ape'' (1940) - Mr. Howley (uncredited) * '' West of Abilene'' (1940) - Bill Burnside * ''The Wild Stallion'' (1940) * '' Hi-Yo Silver'' (1940) - George Blanchard (archive footage) * '' A Girl, a Guy and a Gob'' (1941) - Pop Duncan * '' Nevada City'' (1941) - Hank Liddell * '' Two in a Taxi'' (1941) - Gas Station Proprietor * ''

Sunset in Wyoming ''Sunset in Wyoming'' is a 1941 American western film directed by William Morgan and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, George Cleveland, and Maris Wrixon. Based on a story by Joe Blair, the film is about a singing cowboy who goes up agains ...

'' (1941) - Asa Wentworth * '' Wide Open Town'' (1941) - Pete Carter - Miner (uncredited) * ''

Man at Large ''Man at Large'' is a 1941 American mystery thriller film directed by Eugene Forde and written by John Larkin. The film stars Marjorie Weaver, George Reeves, Richard Derr, Steven Geray, Milton Parsons and Spencer Charters. The film was r ...

'' (1941) - Sheriff Pickering * ''

Riders of the Purple Sage ''Riders of the Purple Sage'' is a Western novel by Zane Grey, first published by Harper & Brothers in 1912. Considered by scholars to have played a significant role in shaping the formula of the popular Western genre, the novel has been calle ...

'' (1941) - Doctor (uncredited) * ''

The Devil and Daniel Webster "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1936) is a short story by American writer Stephen Vincent Benét. He tells of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil and is later defended by a fictionalized Daniel Webster, a noted 19th-century A ...

'' (1941) - Cy Bibber * ''

Look Who's Laughing ''Look Who's Laughing'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Allan Dwan It was produced and distributed by RKO Pictures. The film is built around a number of sitcom, radio stars from the Golden Age of Radio and centers around radio person ...

'' (1941) - Kelsey * '' Two-Faced Woman'' (1941) - Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Playmates'' (1941) - Mr. Nelson Pennypacker (uncredited) * '' Call Out the Marines'' (1942) - Bartender * '' Obliging Young Lady'' (1942) - Clarence - Manager of Lake Mohawk Lodge * ''

Valley of the Sun A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over a ve ...

'' (1942) - Bill Yard * '' The Spoilers'' (1942) - Banty * '' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) - Gus * ''

The Falcon Takes Over ''The Falcon Takes Over'' (also known as ''The Falcon Steps Out''), is a 1942 black-and-white mystery film directed by Irving Reis. Although the film features the Falcon and other characters created by Michael Arlen, its plot is taken from the Ra ...

'' (1942) - Jerry - Servant (uncredited) * '' Powder Town'' (1942) - Gus, Institute Janitor * ''

The Big Street ''The Big Street'' is a 1942 American drama film starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, based on the 1940 short story "Little Pinks" by Damon Runyon, who also produced it. It was directed by Irving Reis from a screenplay by Leonard Spigelgass ...

'' (1942) - Colonel Samuel Venus * '' Mexican Spitfire's Elephant'' (1942) - Chief Customs Inspector (uncredited) * ''

Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane ...

'' (1942) - Judkins - Hotel Manager * '' Here We Go Again'' (1942) - Ramble Inn Proprietor (uncredited) * '' Army Surgeon'' (1942) - Col. John Wishart * '' Seven Miles from Alcatraz'' (1942) - Captain Porter * '' The Traitor Within'' (1942) - 'Pop' Betts * '' Ladies' Day'' (1943) - Doc, Sox Trainer * '' Cowboy in Manhattan'' (1943) - Wild Bill * '' The Man from Music Mountain'' (1943) - Sheriff Hal Darcey * '' Klondike Kate'' (1943) - Judge Horace Crawford * '' The Woman of the Town'' (1943) - Judge Blackburn * '' It Happened Tomorrow'' (1944) - Mr. Gordon * '' My Best Gal'' (1944) - Ralph Hodges * '' Man from Frisco'' (1944) - Mayor Winter (uncredited) * '' The Yellow Rose of Texas'' (1944) - Captain 'Cap' Joe * '' Abroad with Two Yanks'' (1944) - Roderick Stuart * '' My Pal Wolf'' (1944) - Wilson * '' When the Lights Go On Again'' (1944) - Pat 'Gramps' Benson * ''

Alaska Alaska ( ) is a non-contiguous U.S. state on the northwest extremity of North America. Part of the Western United States region, it is one of the two non-contiguous U.S. states, alongside Hawaii. Alaska is also considered to be the north ...

'' (1944) - Pete (Postmaster) * '' Can't Help Singing'' (1944) - Marshal * '' God Is My Co-Pilot'' (1945) - Father of Catherine Scott (uncredited) * '' Song of the Sarong'' (1945) - Captain William Reemis * '' It's in the Bag!'' (1945) - Busby - Hotel Manager * '' Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945) - Dr. Elfson * '' Sunbonnet Sue'' (1945) - Casey, Tavern Owner * '' Senorita from the West'' (1945) - Cap * '' Dakota'' (1945) - Mr. Plummer * '' She Wouldn't Say Yes'' (1945) - Ticket Seller (uncredited) * '' Pillow of Death'' (1945) - Samuel 'Sam' Kincaid * '' Little Giant'' (1946) - Clarence Goodring * '' The Runaround'' (1946) - Feenan the cabbie * '' Boys' Ranch'' (1946) - Butch's Grandpa (uncredited) * '' Courage of Lassie'' (1946) - Old Man * '' Wild Beauty'' (1946) - Barney Skeets * '' Step by Step'' (1946) - Captain Caleb Simpson * '' Angel on My Shoulder'' (1946) - Albert * '' Wake Up and Dream'' (1946) - Prof. Feverfew (uncredited) * '' The Show-Off'' (1946) - Pop Fisher * '' Easy Come, Easy Go'' (1947) - Gilligan * '' I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now'' (1947) - John McCullem * '' Mother Wore Tights'' (1947) - Grandfather McKinley * '' The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap'' (1947) - Judge Benbow * '' My Wild Irish Rose'' (1947) - Captain Brennan * ''

Albuquerque Albuquerque ( ; ), also known as ABQ, Burque, the Duke City, and in the past 'the Q', is the List of municipalities in New Mexico, most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico, and the county seat of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, Bernal ...

'' (1948) - John Armin * '' Fury at Furnace Creek'' (1948) - Judge * '' A Date with Judy'' (1948) - Gramps * '' Miraculous Journey'' (1948) - The Hermit * '' The Plunderers'' (1948) - Sheriff Sam Borden * '' Rimfire'' (1949) - Judge Gardner * '' Home in San Antone'' (1949) - Grandpa Gibson * ''

Kazan Kazan; , IPA: Help:IPA/Tatar, ɑzanis the largest city and capital city, capital of Tatarstan, Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Volga and the Kazanka (river), Kazanka Rivers, covering an area of , with a population of over 1. ...

'' (1949) - Trapper * ''

Miss Grant Takes Richmond ''Miss Grant Takes Richmond'' is a 1949 American comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon, starring Lucille Ball, William Holden, and Janis Carter, and produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was released under the alternative title ''I ...

'' (1949) - Judge Ben Grant * '' The Boy from Indiana'' (1950) - Robert Bruce Mac Dougall * '' Please Believe Me'' (1950) - Mr. Cooper * '' Trigger, Jr.'' (1950) - Colonel Harkrider * '' Frenchie'' (1950) - Mayor Jefferson Harding * '' Fort Defiance'' (1951) - Uncle Charlie Tallon * '' Flaming Feather'' (1952) - Doc Fallon * ''

Carson City Carson City, officially the Carson City Consolidated Municipality, is an independent city and the capital of the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,639, making it the 6th most populous city in the state. The m ...

'' (1952) - Henry Dodson * '' Cripple Creek'' (1952) - 'Hardrock' Hanson * '' The WAC from Walla Walla'' (1952) - Gramps Canova * '' San Antone'' (1953) - Colonel Allerby * '' Affair with a Stranger'' (1953) - Pop * '' Walking My Baby Back Home'' (1953) - Col. Dan Wallace * '' Racing Blood'' (1954) - Gramps * '' Untamed Heiress'' (1954) - Andrew 'Cactus' Clayton * '' Fireman Save My Child'' (1954) - Chief Rorty * '' The Outlaw's Daughter'' (1954) - Lem Creel

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cleveland, George 1885 births 1957 deaths Canadian male stage actors Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Canadian expatriate male actors in the United States People from Sydney, Nova Scotia 20th-century Canadian male actors Male actors from Nova Scotia