Keene Holbrook Curtis (February 15, 1923 – October 13, 2002) was an American character actor.

Early life

Curtis was born in

Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...

to Polley Francella (née Holbrook), a teacher, and Ira Charles Curtis, a railway and civil-service employee. He attended Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served three years in the Pacific Theater 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 the war, he attended the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelor's degree. In 1943, he was recognized by the Theta Alpha Phi national honorary dramatic society as the university's outstanding actor.

Film

Curtis made his film debut in Orson Welles' 1948 adaptation of ''

Macbeth ''The Tragedy of Macbeth'', often shortened to ''Macbeth'' (), is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, estimated to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the physically violent and damaging psychological effects of political ambiti ...

''. His additional film credits include '' American Hot Wax'', '' Rabbit Test'', '' The Buddy System'', '' I.Q.'', '' Heaven Can Wait'', '' Sliver'' and '' Richie Rich's Christmas Wish''.

Theater

Curtis' theatrical career began in 1949 as an assistant stage manager for the Martha Graham Dance Company before working on Broadway productions. His first appearance as a performer was in a 1965 revival of '' You Can't Take It with You''. In 1971, he won the

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for '' The Rothschilds''. His additional Broadway credits include ''

The Cherry Orchard ''The Cherry Orchard'' () is the last play by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Written in 1903, it was first published by '' Znaniye'' (Book Two, 1904), and came out as a separate edition later that year in Saint Petersburg, via A.F. Marks Pu ...

'', '' A Patriot for Me'', '' Via Galactica'', '' Annie'', Night Watch and '' La Cage aux Folles''. He was a member of the Stratford Festival of Canada acting company in 1981, playing Sir George Thunder in ''Wild Oats''.

Television

Curtis played a recurring role as John Allen Hill, the owner of Melville's Restaurant on ''

Cheers ''Cheers'' is an American television sitcom, created by Glen and Les Charles, Glen Charles & Les Charles and James Burrows, that aired on NBC for eleven seasons from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/C ...

'', and as a wealthy banker on the short-lived Bea Arthur vehicle '' Amanda's''. His many television credits include '' The Magician'' as quirky

columnist A columnist is a person who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Column (periodical), Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs. They take the ...

Max Pomeroy opposite Bill Bixby, '' Gypsy'' starring Bette Midler and two appearances on '' Three's Company''.

Animation

For the animated series '' SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron'', Curtis voiced the character of the Pastmaster. He also provided the voice of Grand Moff Tarkin for the radio adaptation of ''Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'' as well as that of Lord Balthazar on '' The Smurfs'' from 1981 to 1989. Curtis also lent his voice to cartoon shows including '' The Little Mermaid'', '' The Dukes'', '' The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour'', '' Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures'', '' Trollkins'', '' The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda'', '' The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible'', '' Denver, the Last Dinosaur'', '' The Snorks'', '' The Jetsons'', '' Space Stars'', '' Adventures from the Book of Virtues'', '' The Herculoids'', '' Fantastic Max'', '' Paddington Bear'', '' The Centurions'', '' Kissyfur'', '' Mother Goose and Grimm'', '' The Hot Rod Dogs and Cool Car Cats'' and '' Bonkers''.

Death

Curtis, a member of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and the ...

, died from complications from

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events. As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems wit ...

at a Bountiful, Utah nursing home at the age of 79 and was buried at Bountiful Memorial Park. Curtis never married and had no children.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Keene 1923 births 2002 deaths 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American male singers 20th-century American singers American male film actors American male musical theatre actors American male stage actors American male television actors American male voice actors Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Utah Latter Day Saints from Utah Male actors from Salt Lake City Tony Award winners