Stanley Adams (born Stanley Abramowitz; April 7, 1915 – April 27, 1977) was an American actor and screenwriter. He appeared in several films, including '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961) and '' Lilies of the Field'' (1963). On television, he is probably best known for his guest appearance in the 1967 ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...

'' episode " The Trouble with Tribbles" in which he portrayed outer space peddler Cyrano Jones, purveyor of tribbles. Concurrent with his acting career, Adams also maintained a career as a freelance television scriptwriter from the mid-1950s through the early 70s, writing for shows such as '' It's Always Jan'', ''

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 ...

'', '' Dr. Kildare'', ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'', ''

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

'', ''

'', '' The Outsider'', ''

The Flying Nun ''The Flying Nun'' is an American fantasy television, fantasy sitcom television series about a community of nuns, which included one who could fly when the wind caught her cornette. It was produced by Screen Gems for American Broadcasting Comp ...

'', ''

Mannix ''Mannix'' is an American detective television series that originally aired for eight seasons on CBS from September 16, 1967, to March 13, 1975. The show was created by Richard Levinson and William Link, and developed by executive producer ...

'', '' The Name of the Game, ''and others. Although he did appear in guest roles in many of these series, Adams generally did not appear as an actor in episodes he wrote.

Early life

Adams was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

. 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 the 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 ...

'' (1951). He played another barkeep in '' The Gene Krupa Story'' and a safecracker in

Roger Corman Roger William Corman (April 5, 1926 – May 9, 2024) was an American film director, producer, and actor. Known under various monikers such as "The Pope of Pop Cinema", "The Spiritual Godfather of the New Hollywood", and "The King of Cult", he w ...

's ''

High School Big Shot ''High School Big Shot'' is a 1959 film starring Tom Pittman (actor), Tom Pittman, in his final film role, as Marv Grant, a smart high school student whose plans for getting a college scholarship are threatened by his alcoholic father played by Ma ...

'' (1959).

Career

Adams had a lengthy career as a

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 ...

, often playing comic, pompous characters. Adams played Otis Campbell's brother Ralph on an episode of ''

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 ...

''. Otis was afraid Ralph would find out he was the town drunk, then learned Ralph was the town drunk of his home town. 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'' in 1961. His other roles on TV shows include roles in six episodes of ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'' (including S8 E26 as Samuel in "The Jarbo Pierce Story" 1965) and three episodes of ''

''. He played 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 American Broadcasting Company, ABC television network. The series was filmed i ...

'' (1962–1966) "Wally for Congress." He played a realtor on '' The Dick Van Dyke Show'' episode "Your Home Sweet Home Is My Home Sweet Home". He had two roles in the syndicated western series ''

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 ...

'' in the episodes "The Holy Terror" (1963) and "The Lady and the Sourdough" (1966). In 1967, he appeared in an episode of ''

The Lucy Show ''The Lucy Show'' is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1962 to 1968. It was Lucille Ball's follow-up to ''I Love Lucy''. A significant change in cast and premise for the fourth season (1965–1966) divides the program into two distinct ...

'' titled "Lucy the Fight Manager" as a trainer named Louie. He appeared as King Kaliwani in the final episode of ''

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 ...

'', and as Captain Courageous in two episodes of the 1960s ''

Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...

'' TV series ("Catwoman Goes to College"/"Batman Displays his Knowledge"). He also played notorious pool shark "Sure Shot" Wilson on the ABC sitcom '' 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 series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...

'' as a time-traveling scientist—opposite

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent films during the 1920s, in which he performed physical comedy and inventive stunts. He frequently ...

—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 in storytelling in the English language and has started many narrative ...

" 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. Lightly dramatic, sometimes comedic in tone, the series was inspired by the 1812 J ...

'', "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" (1968), and for playing Cyrano Jones in " The Trouble with Tribbles" (1967) episode of ''

''. He reprised (as a voice actor) Cyrano Jones in the '' Star Trek: The Animated Series'' episode " More Tribbles, More Troubles" and archival footage 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". Adams also had a lengthy theatrical motion picture career. In the 1962 theatrical film adaptation of

Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his Anthology series, anthology television series ''The Twilight Zone (1 ...

's teleplay '' Requiem for a Heavyweight'' he played the supporting role of Perelli, a sleazy promoter who offers a washed-up boxer a degrading job as a professional wrestler, a role which he reprised; in 1956, he played the part in the original

Playhouse 90 ''Playhouse 90'' is an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 134 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of t ...

production. He played the

Chicano Chicano (masculine form) or Chicana (feminine form) is an ethnic identity for Mexican Americans that emerged from the Chicano Movement. In the 1960s, ''Chicano'' was widely reclaimed among Hispanics in the building of a movement toward politic ...

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

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

Death

Adams committed suicide with a .22 caliber pistol on April 27, 1977, at the age of 62. A note indicated that he had grown despondent thanks to chronic pain from a back injury. He was cremated at

Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery is a cemetery, located at 1831 West Washington Boulevard in the West Adams, Los Angeles, West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles, southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, Downtown. History Located in the West Adams, Los Angeles ...

. His ashes were scattered in the

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

. 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'' (1954) - Wildcat Hooper *'' Hell's Horizon'' (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'' (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'' (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) *''

'' (1959) - Harry March *''

North by Northwest ''North by Northwest'' is a 1959 American spy thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. The original screenplay written by Ernest Lehman was intended to be the basis for ...

'' (1959) - Lieutenant Harding (uncredited) *'' The Gene Krupa Story'' (1959) - Bar Owner (uncredited) *'' The Gazebo'' (1959) - Dan Shelby (voice, uncredited) *''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1960) (Season 6 Episode 6: "Pen Pal") - Detective Berger *'' One Foot in Hell'' (1960) - Pete (uncredited) *'' The Rat Race'' (1960) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *'' Studs Lonigan'' (1960) - Gangster (uncredited) *''

North to Alaska ''North to Alaska'' is a 1960 American comedy 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 th ...

'' (1960) - Breezy *'' The Wizard of Baghdad'' (1960) - Warden Kvetch *''

The Young Savages ''The Young Savages'' is a 1961 American crime drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this kind is usual ...

'' (1961) - Police Lieutenant Hardy (uncredited) *'' Pirates of Tortuga'' (1961) - Captain Montbars *'' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961) - Rusty Trawler *'' The Errand Boy'' (1961) - Grumpy *'' The Outsider'' (1961) - Noomie *'' 13 West Street'' (1962) - Finney *'' Have Gun Will Travel'' (1962) - Caleb Musgrove *'' Requiem for a Heavyweight'' (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'' (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'' (1965) - Lank *'' Nevada Smith'' (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 Last Harbor Raid' parts I, II & III - released as a film) *'' The Grasshopper'' (1970) - Buddy Miller *''

Move Move or The Move may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Move (company), an American online real estate company * Move (electronics store), a defunct Australian electronics retailer * Daihatsu Move, a Japanese car * PlayStation Move, a motion ...

'' (1970) - New Tenant *'' The Seven Minutes'' (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'' (1976) - Dade McCrutchen *''Woman in the Rain'' (1976) - Noodles *'' The Great Gundown'' (1977) - Buck (final film role)

Television

References

External links

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