Than Wyenn
| Than Wyenn | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 2, 1919 New York City |
| Died |
January 30, 2015 (age 95) Woodland Hills, California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse(s) | Guy Wyenn |
| Children | 2 sons |
Than Wyenn (May 2, 1919 – January 30, 2015) was an American character actor. His acting career spanned more than forty years with more than 150 credits in film and television.[1] He may be best known for his role in the 1960 episode of The Twilight Zone, Execution, as well as roles in Imitation of Life in 1959 and Splash in 1984.[1][2]
Early life
Wyenn was from New York City.[1] He studied acting as teenager under Michael Chekhov, Harry Coult, and Lee Strasberg.[2] He toured nationally with a Shakespearean troupe of actors.[2] Wyenn worked on a farm in Vermont during World War II as part of the U.S. war effort.[2]
Than Wyenn and his wife, Guy Wyenn, moved to Los Angeles following the end of World War II.[1][2] He was cast in a starring role in the world premiere of Baruch Lumet's stage production, Once Upon a Tailor, which debuted at The Circle Theater.[1] His role in Once Upon a Tailor earned him a talent agent, which launched his television and film career.[2]
Film
While much of career focused on television, Wyenn appeared in several notable film roles. Wyenn portrayed Romano, an Italian film representative, who attempts to recruit Lana Turner's character, Lora Meredith, in Imitation of Life in 1959.[1] He was also cast as Mr. Ambrose in the 1984 film, Splash, opposite Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. Other film roles included Beginning of the End in 1957, Pete Kelly's Blues in 1959, The Boy and the Pirates in 1960, and Being There in 1979.[1]
Television
In 1960, Wyenn appeared as Paul Johnson, a villain, in Execution during the The Twilight Zone's first season.[1] In the episode, Wyenn's character transported to the past straight into a hangman's gallows in the American frontier during the 1800s.[1] Execution also starred Russell Johnson and Albert Salmi.[2] Wyenn's numerous other television credits, spanning the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, included Leave it to Beaver, Dragnet, Barnaby Jones, Mission: Impossible, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Perry Mason, Quincy, M.E., The Six Million Dollar Man, T. J. Hooker, The Untouchables, Wanted: Dead or Alive, and Zorro.[1][2]
Other activities
Wyenn became a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1966.[2] He worked as a drama consultant Los Angeles Bureau of Jewish Education for 37-years.[1] Wyenn was also a co-founder of the Yiddish Kinder Theater in Los Angeles.[2] He began documenting Jewish life throughout the world during the 1980s through traveling and painting.[2]
Death
Than Wyenn died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, on January 30, 2015, at the age of 95.[1] He was survived by his wife of 71 years, Guy Wyenn, and their sons, Joel and Neil.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Barnes, Mike (2015-02-01). "Than Wyenn, Prolific Character Actor, Dies at 95". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-02-21.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Than Wyenn, Character Actor Known For 'Twilight Zone,' 'Imitation of Life,' Dies at 95". Variety. 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2015-02-21.