George N. Neise (February 16, 1917 – April 14, 1996) was an American

character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...

. He made over 120 film and television appearances between 1942 and 1978.

Early years

Born in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, Illinois, Neise was the son of Edwin Neise and Bertha Hagen. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied finance.

Career

Neise began his career playing soldiers in war-themed films.An article in the September 19, 1948, issue of the ''

Brooklyn Daily Eagle The ''Brooklyn Eagle'' (originally joint name ''The Brooklyn Eagle'' and ''Kings County Democrat'', later ''The Brooklyn Daily Eagle'' before shortening title further to ''Brooklyn Eagle'') was an afternoon daily newspaper published in the city ...

'' says, "Mr. Neise began his career in 1937 in Chicago's radio world ..." Beginning in 1937, Neise acted in radio in Chicago, playing a variety of roles in programs. He acted in stock theater with the

Peninsula Players Peninsula Players is a summer theater located in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Founded in 1935 by Richard and Caroline Fisher, it is known as "America's Oldest Professional Resident Summer Theatre." History The Players was founded in 1935 by the br ...

in the summers of 1938 and 1939. His

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

credits include ''Grandma's Diary'' (1948). Neise served for four-and-a-half years as a pilot in the

U.S. Army Air Corps The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical ri ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. After that, he became an in-demand character actor, playing everything from Greek kings to angry bosses to airline pilots. He may be best remembered for the dual role as the patronizing pharmacist Ralph Dimsal and powerful Ancient Greek king, Odius in

the Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

feature ''

The Three Stooges Meet Hercules ''The Three Stooges Meet Hercules'' is a 1962 American comedy fantasy film directed by Edward Bernds. It is the third feature film to star the Three Stooges after their 1959 resurgence in popularity. By this time, the trio consisted of Moe Ho ...

''. He also appeared as Martian Ogg and an unnamed airline pilot in the trio's next feature ''

The Three Stooges in Orbit ''The Three Stooges In Orbit'' is a 1962 American comedy film, comedy science fiction film directed by Edward Bernds. It is the fourth feature film to star the Three Stooges after their 1959 resurgence in popularity. By this time, the trio cons ...

''. Neise played Nat Wyndham on the television Western ''

Wichita Town ''Wichita Town'' is a half-hour Western television series starring Joel McCrea, Jody McCrea, Carlos Romero, and George Neise that aired on NBC from September 30, 1959, until September 23, 1960. Joel McCrea played Marshal Mike Dunbar, in ...

'' (1959-1960). His other TV appearances in Westerns were ''

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 ...

'', ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American Western (genre), Western anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was ...

'', ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. The Cheyenne comprise two Native American tribes, the Só'taeo'o or Só'taétaneo'o (more commonly spelled as Suhtai or Sutaio) and the (also spelled Tsitsistas, The term for th ...

'', ''

Zorro Zorro ( or , Spanish for "fox") is a fictional character created in 1919 by American Pulp magazine, pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo de Los Ángeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed as a dashin ...

'', ''

Have Gun – Will Travel ''Have Gun – Will Travel'' is an American Westerns on television, Western television series that was produced and originally broadcast by CBS on both television and radio from 1957 through 1963. The television version of the series starring Ri ...

'', ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television series starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'', ''

Maverick Maverick or Maveric may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bureau T-32 M ...

'' and as the wanted man in the episode of Robert Culp's TV series, '' Trackdown'', which essentially became the pilot episode of '' Wanted: Dead or Alive''. Neise played in television dramas such as ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and four short stories, all of which involve a ...

'', in which he made five appearances. Because of the dishonest character roles he played, he was the murder victim in four of the episodes: Albert Tydings in the 1957 episode, "The Case of the Baited Hook," Wilfred Borden in the 1959 episode "The Case of the Calendar Girl," Morley Theilman in the 1962 episode "The Case of the Shapely Shadow," and Stacey Garnett in the 1965 episode "The Case of the Golden Girls." Neise continued being cast as a 'heavy', appearing as a safe cracker in ''

Official Detective ''Official Detective'' is an American anthology television series which aired in syndication from 1957 to March 19, 1958. The series was hosted by veteran film actor Everett Sloane.McNeil, Alex (1996). ''Total Television'' (4th ed.). New York: ...

'' TV series episode ''

The Blind Man ''The Blind Man'' was an art and Dada journal published briefly by the New York Dadaists in 1917. History Henri-Pierre Roché and Marcel Duchamp, visiting from France, organized the magazine with Beatrice Wood in New York City. Mina Loy als ...

'' in 1957. He also appeared on sitcoms such as ''

The Dick Van Dyke Show ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' is an American sitcom created by Carl Reiner that initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961, to June 1, 1966, with a total of 158 half-hour episodes spanning five seasons. It was produced by Calvada Productions"Calv ...

'', ''

Green Acres ''Green Acres'' is an American television absurdist sitcom starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm. Produced by Filmways as a sister show to ''Petticoat Junction'', the series was first br ...

'', ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American sitcom television series that was aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. The series ...

'', ''

Mister Ed ''Mister Ed'' is an American television sitcom produced by Filmways that aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966. The show's title character is a talking horse which orig ...

'', ''

The Addams Family The Addams Family is a fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. They originally appeared in a series of 150 standalone single-panel comics, about half of which were originally published in ''The New Yorker'' between 193 ...

'', ''

Gilligan's Island ''Gilligan's Island'' is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz. The show's ensemble cast features Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and Dawn Wells. It aired for th ...

'', ''

Hogan's Heroes ''Hogan's Heroes'' is an American television sitcom created by Bernard Fein and Albert S. Ruddy which is set in a Prisoner-of-war camp, prisoner-of-war (POW) camp in Nazi Germany during World War II, and centers around a group of Allied prisoner ...

'', ''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb and produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pe ...

'', and ''

Get Smart ''Get Smart'' is an American comedy television series parodying the Spy fiction, secret agent genre that had become widely popular in the first half of the 1960s with the release of the ''James Bond'' films. It was created by Mel Brooks and Bu ...

''.

Death

Neise died from cancer at his home in Hollywood on April 14, 1996, at age 79.

Selected filmography

*''

They Raid by Night ''They Raid by Night'' is a 1942 American low-budget World War II film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Lyle Talbot and June Duprez. It was from Producers Releasing Corporation. Plot The story follows the insertion of Britis ...

'' (1942) - Lt. Erik Falken *'' Flight Lieutenant'' (1942) - Radio Operator (uncredited) *''

War Dogs Dogs have a very long history in warfare, beginning in ancient times. From being trained in combat, to their use as scouts, sentries, messengers, mercy dogs, and trackers, their uses have been varied, and some continue to exist in modern milit ...

'' (1942) - Hans *'' Valley of Hunted Men'' (1942) - Paul Schiller *''USS VD: Ship of Shame'' (1942) - Sailor (uncredited) *''

Chetniks! The Fighting Guerrillas ''Chetniks! The Fighting Guerrillas'' is a war film made by Twentieth Century Fox in 1943. The film starred Philip Dorn, Anna Sten, and Martin Kosleck. The film was originally titled ''The Seventh Column''. It was directed by Louis King and is ...

'' (1943) - German Scout (uncredited) *''

They Got Me Covered ''They Got Me Covered'' is a 1943 American comedy thriller film directed by David Butler and starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Otto Preminger appears in a supporting role. It also known by the alternative titles ''Washington Story'' and ''Th ...

'' (1943) - Matthews (uncredited) *''

Air Force An air force in the broadest sense is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army aviati ...

'' (1943) - Hickam Field Radio Operator (uncredited) *''

Hangmen Also Die! ''Hangmen Also Die!'' is a 1943 war film directed by the Austrian director Fritz Lang and written by John Wexley from a story by Bertolt Brecht (credited as Bert Brecht) and Lang. The film stars Brian Donlevy, with Walter Brennan, Anna Lee, and ...

'' (1943) - Mueller (uncredited) *''

Action in the North Atlantic ''Action in the North Atlantic'' is a 1943 American war film from Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Jerry Wald, directed by Lloyd Bacon, and adapted by John Howard Lawson from a story by Guy Gilpatric. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and R ...

'' (1943) - German Lieutenant (uncredited) *''

Bomber's Moon ''Bomber's Moon'' is a 1943 American wartime propaganda film, produced by 20th Century Fox, based on an unpublished magazine serial "Bomber's Moon" by Leonard Lee. Plot Captain Jeff Dakin ( George Montgomery) is shot down over Germany on a bom ...

'' (1943) - The Gestapo Lieutenant *''

Sahara The Sahara (, ) is a desert spanning across North Africa. With an area of , it is the largest hot desert in the world and the list of deserts by area, third-largest desert overall, smaller only than the deserts of Antarctica and the northern Ar ...

'' (1943) - British Sergeant (uncredited) *''

Once Upon a Time "Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 in storytelling in the English language and has started many narrative ...

'' (1944) - Aviator Lieutenant (uncredited) *''

Ladies of Washington ''Ladies of Washington'' is a 1944 American drama film directed by Louis King and starring Trudy Marshall, Ronald Graham and Anthony Quinn.Rowan p.9 The film's sets were designed by the art directors James Basevi and Leland Fuller. Plot A g ...

'' (1944) - Radio Commentator (uncredited) *''

Man from Frisco ''Man from Frisco'' (1944) is a United States feature-length spy and war film by Republic Pictures directed by Robert Florey and starring Michael O'Shea (1906–1973) and Anne Shirley. Plot Matt Braddock is a civil engineer during the Second ...

'' (1944) - Narrator (uncredited) *''

Experiment Perilous ''Experiment Perilous'' is a 1944 American melodrama film set at the turn of the 20th century. The film is based on a 1943 novel of the same name by Margaret Seymour Carpenter, Margaret Carpenter, and directed by Jacques Tourneur. Albert S. D'Ago ...

'' (1944) - Alec *''

Romance on the High Seas ''Romance on the High Seas'' (released in the United Kingdom as ''It's Magic'') is a 1948 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starred Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Don DeFore and Doris Day in her film debut. Bus ...

'' (1948) - Michael's Assistant (uncredited) *'' One Sunday Afternoon'' (1948) - Chauncey (uncredited) *''

My Dream Is Yours ''My Dream Is Yours'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Jack Carson, Doris Day, and Lee Bowman. This was a loose remake of the 1934 '' Twenty Million Sweethearts'', starring Dic ...

'' (1949) - Party Guest (uncredited) *'' I'll See You in My Dreams'' (1951) - Isham Jones (uncredited) *''

The Sharkfighters ''The Sharkfighters'' is a 1956 American adventure film starring Victor Mature, supported by Karen Steele, James Olson, and Claude Akins. Directed by Jerry Hopper, its fictional storyline is based on the invention of "Shark Chaser", an historic ...

'' (1956) - Cmdr. George Zimmer *'' Tomahawk Trail'' (1957) - Lt. Jonathan Davenport *'' Pharaoh's Curse'' (1957) - Robert Quentin *''

Jeanne Eagels Jeanne Eagels (born Eugenia Eagles; June 26, 1890 – October 3, 1929) was an American stage and film actress. Eagels appeared in many Broadway productions, and in the emerging medium of sound films. She was posthumously nominated for the Acad ...

'' (1957) - Jerry the Traveling Salesman (uncredited) *'' The Tall Stranger'' (1957) - Mort Harper *''

Outcasts of the City Outcast or Outcasts may refer to: *Outcast (person), a person with social stigma or untouchability Literature *''The Outcast'', an 1875 novel by William Winwood Reade * ''The Outcast: A Rhyme for the Time'', an 1891 poem by Robert Williams Bucha ...

'' (1958) - Hans Welton *'' Fort Massacre'' (1958) - Pendleton *''

No Time for Sergeants ''No Time for Sergeants'' is a 1954 best-selling novel by Mac Hyman, which was adapted into a teleplay on '' The United States Steel Hour'', a popular Broadway play and 1958 motion picture, as well as a 1964 television series. The book chronic ...

'' (1958) - Baker (uncredited) *'' Twenty Plus Two'' (1961) - Walter Collinson *''

'' (1962) - Ralph Dimsal / King Odius *''

Rome Adventure ''Rome Adventure'', also known as ''Lovers Must Learn'', is a 1962 American romantic drama film, based on the 1932 novel ''Lovers Must Learn'' by Irving Fineman. It was directed by Delmer Daves and stars Troy Donahue, Angie Dickinson, and Suzan ...

'' (1962) - Benjamin Bentley (uncredited) *''

'' (1962) - Ogg / Airline Pilot *''

Cattle King ''Cattle King'' is a 1963 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Tay Garnett. It stars Robert Taylor (American actor), Robert Taylor and Robert Loggia. It was also known by the alternative title of ''Guns of Wyoming'' in some countr ...

'' (1963) - Clancy - Reporter (uncredited) *''

Johnny Cool ''Johnny Cool'' is a 1963 American neo-noir crime film, directed by William Asher and based on the novel ''The Kingdom of Johnny Cool'' by John McPartland, which stars Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery. Produced in part by Peter Lawford, ' ...

'' (1963) - Adrian Guinness *'' Looking for Love'' (1964) - Mr. Harvey Miller (uncredited) *''

Two on a Guillotine ''Two on a Guillotine'' is a 1965 American horror film produced and directed by William Conrad and starring Connie Stevens. The screenplay by John Kneubuhl and Henry Slesar is based on a story by Slesar. The movie would be the first in a series ...

'' (1965) - Reporter at Funeral (uncredited) *'' Brainstorm'' (1965) - Party Guest (uncredited) *''

I'll Take Sweden ''I'll Take Sweden'' is a 1965 American comedy film. It was directed by Frederick de Cordova, and stars Bob Hope, Frankie Avalon, and Tuesday Weld. Plot Single father Bob Holcomb, a widower, is unhappy with the guitar-playing boy Kenny his d ...

'' (1965) - Man in Bed with Blonde (uncredited) *'' Do Not Disturb'' (1965) - Swedish Delegate (uncredited) *''

Inside Daisy Clover ''Inside Daisy Clover'' is a 1965 American drama film based on Gavin Lambert's 1963 novel of the same name, directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Natalie Wood. It follows a tomboy becoming a Hollywood actress and singer. Plot In 1936, Da ...

'' (1965) - Director (uncredited) *''

A Fine Madness ''A Fine Madness'' is a 1966 American Technicolor comedy-drama film directed by Irvin Kershner, based on the 1964 novel of the same name by Elliott Baker. It tells the story of Samson Shillitoe, a frustrated poet unable to finish a grand tome ...

'' (1966) - Television Interviewer (uncredited) *''

Any Wednesday Any Wednesday may refer to: * ''Any Wednesday'' (play), a 1964 play by Muriel Resnik * ''Any Wednesday'' (film), a 1966 film based on the play {{disambig ...

'' (1966) - Art Gallery Visitor (uncredited) *''

Penelope Penelope ( ; Ancient Greek: Πηνελόπεια, ''Pēnelópeia'', or , ''Pēnelópē'') is a character in Homer's ''Odyssey.'' She was the queen of Homer's Ithaca, Ithaca and was the daughter of Spartan king Icarius (Spartan), Icarius and ...

'' (1966) - Mr. Halliday (uncredited) *''

A Guide for the Married Man ''A Guide for the Married Man'' is a 1967 American bedroom-farce comedy film directed by Gene Kelly and starring Walter Matthau, Robert Morse, and Inger Stevens. It features many cameos, including those by Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Terry-Th ...

'' (1967) - Man in bed at Banner Motel *''

Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? ''Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady?'' is a 1968 American comedy film directed by Don Weis and written by John Fenton Murray. The film stars Phyllis Diller, Bob Denver, Joe Flynn, Eileen Wesson, Jeanette Nolan, Paul Reed, Bob Ha ...

'' (1968) - Ben Milford *'' The Girl Who Knew Too Much'' (1969) - Marvin Easely *''

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes ''The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes'' is a 1969 American science fiction comedy film starring Kurt Russell, Cesar Romero, Joe Flynn and William Schallert. It was produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Comp ...

'' (1969) - College of Knowledge Sponsor (uncredited) *''

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever ''On a Clear Day You Can See Forever'' is a musical with music by Burton Lane and a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner based loosely on ''Berkeley Square'', written in 1926 by John L. Balderston. It concerns a woman who has ESP and has been ...

'' (1970) - Wytelipt *''

The Barefoot Executive ''The Barefoot Executive'' (also known as ''The Rating Game'') is a 1971 American comedy film starring Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn (American actor), Joe Flynn, Wally Cox, Heather North, Harry Morgan and John Ritter (in his film debut). The plot conce ...

'' (1971) - Network Executive

Notes

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Neise, George N. 1917 births 1996 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors Deaths from cancer in California Male actors from Chicago Military personnel from Chicago United States Army Air Forces officers United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II Western (genre) television actors Wisconsin School of Business alumni