Walter Mathews (actor)
Walter Mathews (October 10, 1926 – April 28, 2012) was an American character actor whose credits included roles in television, film and theater.
Mathews was born in New York City on October 10, 1926,[1] and was raised in the Bronx.[2] He earned a master's degree in drama from Ohio University.[2]
Mathews debuted in the Broadway production of King Lear in 1956, which starred Orson Welles.[2] He was a member of the original Broadway cast of Equus, which opened in New York in 1974.[2]
On television, Mathews appeared in a series of commercials for Fram Oil Filters as the original fictional Fram mechanic who promised consumers, "You can pay me now or pay me later."[2] Matthews also had recurring roles in the Another World and General Hospital soap operas.[2] His additional television credits included Ripcord, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Murder, She Wrote, Perry Mason, Mannix, Charlie's Angels, Adam-12, Quincy, M.E., and Mission: Impossible.[2]
His film credits included roles in The Naked Kiss (1964), The Lawyer (1970), Beyond Reason (1977), Nighthawks (1981) and Cannery Row (1982).
Mathews made his last on-screen appearance in 1986.[1]
Mathews died of natural causes on April 28, 2012, in Mountain Center, California, at the age of 85.[2] He was survived by his four children and five grandchildren.[2]
References
- 1 2 Fulghum, Sherill (2012-05-06). "Actor Walter Matthews Dies". Allvoices.com. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Character actor Walter Mathews dies, Appeared on TV shows including 'Murder, She Wrote'". Variety Magazine. 2012-05-06. Retrieved 2012-05-12.