Stanley Adams (born Stanley Abramowitz; April 7, 1915 – April 27, 1977) was an American actor and screenwriter. He appeared in many television series and films, notably '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961), '' Lilies of the Field'' (1963), and in TV series from ''Gunsmoke'' to the ''Star Trek'' episode "

The Trouble with Tribbles "The Trouble with Tribbles" is the fifteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by David Gerrold and directed by Joseph Pevney, it was first broadcast on December 29, 1967. In ...

" in which he played a salesman selling tribbles.

Early life

Adams was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the U ...

. He had his first film role playing the bartender in the movie version of ''

Death of a Salesman ''Death of a Salesman'' is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. It is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn told through a monta ...

'' (1951). He played another barkeep in ''

The Gene Krupa Story ''The Gene Krupa Story'' (also known as ''Drum Crazy'') is a 1959 biopic of American drummer and bandleader Gene Krupa. The conflict in the film centers on Krupa's rise to success and his corresponding use of marijuana. Plot synopsis The young ...

'' and a safecracker in

Roger Corman Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926) is an American film director, producer, and actor. He has been called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works t ...

's '' High School Big Shot'' (1959).

Career

Adams had a lengthy career as a

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to ...

, often playing comic, pompous characters. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957) 2

Adams played

Otis Campbell Otis Campbell is the fictional " town drunk" in Mayberry on the American TV sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show.'' Otis was played by Hal Smith and made frequent appearances on the show from 1960 to 1967 but stopped appearing toward the end of the ...

's brother on an episode of ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American situation comedy television series that 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. Th ...

''; the character berated Otis for being the town drunk but turned out to be an alcoholic himself. His 1959 portrayal of Chicago gangster/gambler Nick Popolous in '' Mr. Lucky'' ("That Stands For Pool") is especially good as he deftly shifts from bumpkin to killer multiple times. He appeared in an episode of ''

The Tab Hunter Show ''The Tab Hunter Show'' is an American situation comedy starring Tab Hunter which centers around a young comic-strip artist and his romantic adventures. Original episodes aired on NBC from September 18, 1960, until April 30, 1961.McNeil, Alex, '' ...

'' in 1961. His other roles on TV shows include roles in six episodes of ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' and three episode of ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

''. as political boss Frank Templeton in the final episode of ''

McHale's Navy ''McHale's Navy'' is an American sitcom starring Ernest Borgnine that aired 138 half-hour episodes over four seasons, from October 11, 1962, to April 12, 1966, on the ABC television network. The series was filmed in black and white and originate ...

'' (1962–1966) "Wally for Congress." He played a realtor on ''

The Dick Van Dyke Show ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' is an American television 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 Prod ...

'' episode "Your Home Sweet Home Is My Home Sweet Home". He had two roles in the

syndicated Syndication may refer to: * Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system * Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips * Web syndication, ...

western series ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television 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 progra ...

'' in the episodes "The Holy Terror" (1963) and "The Lady and the Sourdough" (1966). He appeared as King Kaliwani in the final episode of '' Gilligan's Island'', and as Captain Courageous in two episodes of the 1960s ''

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book '' Detective Comics'' on March 30, 1939 ...

'' TV series ("Catwoman Goes to College"/"Batman Displays his Knowledge"). He also played notorious pool shark "Sure Shot" Wilson on series '' The Odd Couple''. In genre television he appeared on ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television program, television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dysto ...

'' as a time-traveling scientist—opposite Buster Keaton—in "

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 (according to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'') in storytelling in ...

" and as a bartender (" Mr Garrity and the Graves") and as Ilya Klarpe on ''The Addams Family'' (1964). In science fiction television circles he is known primarily for two roles, as "Tybo" the anthropomorphic carrot in the penultimate episode of ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel '' The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series ...

'', "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" (1968), and for playing Cyrano Jones in "

" (1967) episode of ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vario ...

''. He reprised (as a voice actor) Cyrano Jones in the '' Star Trek: The Animated Series'' episode " More Tribbles, More Troubles" and

archival footage Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures, and file footage is film or video footage that can be used again in other films. Stock footage is beneficial to filmmakers as it saves shooting new material. A single piece of stoc ...

of Adams as Jones was later featured in the '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' episode " Trials and Tribble-ations" (1996). He also co-wrote an episode for ''Star Trek'''s final season, "

The Mark of Gideon "The Mark of Gideon" is the sixteenth episode of the third season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by George F. Slavin and Stanley Adams and directed by Jud Taylor, it was first broadcast on January 17, ...

". Adams also had a lengthy theatrical motion picture career. In the 1962 theatrical film adaptation of Rod Serling's teleplay ''

Requiem for a Heavyweight "Requiem for a Heavyweight" is a teleplay written by Rod Serling and produced for the live television show ''Playhouse 90'' on 11 October 1956. Six years later, it was adapted as a 1962 feature film starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey R ...

'' he played the supporting role of Perelli, a sleazy promoter who offers a washed-up boxer a degrading job as a professional wrestler. He played the

Chicano Chicano or Chicana is a chosen identity for many Mexican Americans in the United States. The label ''Chicano'' is sometimes used interchangeably with ''Mexican American'', although the terms have different meanings. While Mexican-American ident ...

café owner in '' Lilies of the Field'' and portrayed Rutherford "Rusty" Trawler, "the 9th richest man in America under 50" in the

Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen ...

film '' Breakfast at Tiffany's.'' He played Bernie the foulmouthed caller in the 1974 action/adventure movie '' Act of Vengeance.''

Death

Adams committed suicide on April 27, 1977, at the age of 62. He was reportedly depressed due to chronic pain from a back injury. He was cremated at Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. He left behind an ex-wife, a son and a daughter.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of 14000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson

Selected filmography

*''

The Atomic Kid ''The Atomic Kid'' is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction comedy film directed by Leslie H. Martinson and starring Mickey Rooney and Robert Strauss. It was distributed by Republic Pictures and produced by Maurice Duke and Mickey Roon ...

'' (1954) - Wildcat Hooper *''

Hell's Horizon ''Hell's Horizon'' is a 1955 American war film directed by Tom Gries. The film stars John Ireland and Marla English. ''Hell's Horizon'' recounts the story of a bomber crew in the Korean War. Plot During the Korean War, United States Air Forc ...

'' (1955) - Dixie *'' The Fighting Chance'' (1955) - Piggie (uncredited) *'' Hell on Frisco Bay'' (1956) - Hammy *'' Inside Detroit'' (1956) - Harry (uncredited) *'' The Killer Is Loose'' (1956) - Honor Farm Guard (uncredited) *''

The Bold and the Brave ''The Bold and the Brave'' is a 1956 American World War II film written by Robert Lewin in his first screenplay based on some of his Italian Campaign experiences. It was directed by Lewis R. Foster and stars Wendell Corey, Mickey Rooney, and ...

'' (1956) - Master Sergeant *'' Somebody Up There Likes Me'' (1956) - Romolo's Attorney (uncredited) *'' Calling Homicide'' (1956) - Peter von Elda (uncredited) *'' Trooper Hook'' (1957) - Heathcliff *''

Valerie Valerie may refer to: People *Saint Valerie (disambiguation), a number of saints went by the name Valerie *Valerie (given name), a feminine given name Songs *"Valerie", a 1981 song by Quarterflash, from ''Quarterflash'' *"Valerie", a 1982 son ...

'' (1957) - Dr. Jackson *'' Black Patch'' (1957) - Professor Dudley - Drummer *'' Hell Bound'' (1957) - Herbert Fay Jr. *'' Hell Ship Mutiny'' (1957) - Roxy *'' I Married a Woman'' (1958) - Cabbie (uncredited) *'' Saddle the Wind'' (1958) - Joe - Bartender (uncredited) *'' High School Big Shot'' (1959) - Harry March *''

North by Northwest ''North by Northwest'' is a 1959 American spy thriller film, produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. The screenplay was by Ernest Lehman, who wanted to write "the Hitchcock picture t ...

'' (1959) - Lieutenant Harding (uncredited) *''

'' (1959) - Bar Owner (uncredited) *''

The Gazebo ''The Gazebo'' is a 1959 American black comedy CinemaScope film about a married couple who are being blackmailed. It was based on the 1958 play of the same name by Alec Coppel and directed by George Marshall. Helen Rose was nominated for the ...

'' (1959) - Dan Shelby (voice, uncredited) *''

One Foot in Hell ''One Foot in Hell'' is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Cirith Ungol. The original LP was produced by Brian Slagel and Cirith Ungol. It was released in August 1986 on Metal Blade Records and re-released in March 1999 b ...

'' (1960) - Pete (uncredited) *''

The Rat Race ''The Rat Race'' is a 1960 American drama film adapted from the play of the same name by Garson Kanin. Directed by Robert Mulligan, it stars Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds as struggling young entertainment professionals in New York City. Filmin ...

'' (1960) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *'' Studs Lonigan'' (1960) - Gangster (uncredited) *''

North to Alaska ''North to Alaska'' is a 1960 comedic Western/ Northern film directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne (uncredited). The picture stars Wayne along with Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian, and Capucine. The script is based on the 1939 pla ...

'' (1960) - Breezy *''

The Wizard of Baghdad ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

'' (1960) - Warden Kvetch *''

The Young Savages ''The Young Savages'' is a 1961 American crime drama film directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Burt Lancaster. It was written by Edward Anhalt from a novel by Evan Hunter. The supporting cast includes Dina Merrill, Shelley Winters, and ...

'' (1961) - Police Lt. Hardy (uncredited) *''

Pirates of Tortuga ''Pirates of Tortuga'' is a 1961 DeLuxe Color American swashbuckler film which invented an alternate history for the actual Welsh privateer Henry Morgan. It was released in October 1961 in the United States in CinemaScope. Plot In the 17th centu ...

'' (1961) - Captain Montbars *'' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961) - Rusty Trawler *'' The Errand Boy'' (1961) - Grumpy *''

The Outsider The Outsider may refer to: Film * ''The Outsider'' (1917 film), an American film directed by William C. Dowlan * ''The Outsider'' (1926 film), an American film directed by Rowland V. Lee * ''The Outsider'' (1931 film), a film starring Joan Barr ...

'' (1961) - Noomie *''

13 West Street ''13 West Street'' is a 1962 American neo noir crime film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Rod Steiger and Alan Ladd whose own production company produced the film. It was based on the 1957 novel ''The Tiger Among Us'' (1957) by Leigh Brac ...

'' (1962) - Finney *'' Have Gun Will Travel'' (1962) - Caleb Musgrove *''

'' (1962) - Perelli *'' Critic's Choice'' (1963) - Bartender *'' Lilies of the Field'' (1963) - Juan *'' Wild and Wonderful'' (1964) - Mayor of Man La Loquet *'' Looking for Love'' (1964) - Employment Service Official (uncredited) *'' A House Is Not a Home'' (1964) - Harry *''

Fate Is the Hunter Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although ofte ...

'' (1964) - Bernie (uncredited) *'' Ship of Fools'' (1965) - Professor Hutten *'' Your Home Sweet Home Is My Home'' (1965) - Jack Parkly *''

When the Boys Meet the Girls ''When the Boys Meet the Girls'' is a 1965 American musical film directed by Alvin Ganzer and starring Connie Francis and Harve Presnell based on the musical ''Girl Crazy'' and a remake of MGM's 1943 film ''Girl Crazy''. Plot A playboy (Harve ...

'' (1965) - Lank *''

Nevada Smith ''Nevada Smith'' is a 1966 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Steve McQueen, Karl Malden, Brian Keith, Arthur Kennedy and Suzanne Pleshette. The film was made by Embassy Pictures and Solar Productions, in associatio ...

'' (1966) - Storekeeper *'' Thunder Alley'' (1967) - Mac Lunsford *'' Double Trouble'' (1967) - Captain Roach *''Massacre Harbor'' (1968) - El Gamil (this consists of three episodes of the TV series

The Rat Patrol ''The Rat Patrol'' is an American action and adventure television series that aired on ABC between 1966 and 1968. The show follows the exploits of four Allied soldiers — three Americans and one British — who are part of a long-range desert ...

- 'The Last Harbor Raid' parts I, II & III - released as a film) *'' The Grasshopper'' (1970) - Buddy Miller *''

Move Move may refer to: People * Daniil Move (born 1985), a Russian auto racing driver Brands and enterprises * Move (company), an online real estate company * Move (electronics store), a defunct Australian electronics retailer * Daihatsu Move ...

'' (1970) - New Tenant *''

The Seven Minutes ''The Seven Minutes'' is a novel by Irving Wallace published in 1969 and released by Simon & Schuster. The book is a fictional account of the effects of pornography and the related arguments about freedom of speech. Synopsis A novel titled ' ...

'' (1971) - Irwin Blair *''Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns'' (1971) - Granger *'' Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)'' (1972) - Stomach Operator *''

Another Nice Mess ''Another Nice Mess'' is a 1972 comedy film written and directed by Bob Einstein and starring Rich Little as Richard Nixon and Herb Voland as Spiro Agnew. Plot The film is presented in the style of a Laurel and Hardy comedy, with Nixon in the ...

'' (1972) - President of Persia *''California Country'' (1973) - Grandpa Boomer *''The Clones'' (1973) - Carl Swafford *'' Act of Vengeance'' (1974) - Bernie / Foul Mouth *''

Dixie Dynamite ''Dixie Dynamite'' is a 1976 American film directed by Lee Frost that stars Warren Oates. Steve McQueen appears uncredited in a scene as a motorbike driver. Plot A man who makes liquor illegally from a still is in cahoots with the sheriff, who ...

'' (1976) - Dade McCrutchen *''Woman in the Rain'' (1976) *'' The Great Gundown'' (1977) - Buck (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Stanley 1915 births 1977 suicides 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American television writers American male television writers Male actors from New York City Suicides by firearm in California Writers from New York City Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century American male writers Screenwriters from New York (state) Screenwriters from California 20th-century American screenwriters 1977 deaths