Herbert Ellis (born Herbert Siegel; January 17, 1921 – December 26, 2018) was an American character actor and writer. He was best known for his collaborations with Jack Webb, and he frequently portrayed law enforcement officers in film and television.Beck, Ken (March 16, 2003). Sgt. Friday had six sidekicks in 'Dragnet' web. The Tennessean
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Ellis began his career in Hollywood in the late 1940s. Ellis and Webb together devised the name and concept for Dragnet after collaborating on an unsuccessful project titled Joe Friday, Room Five.Buntin, John (2009). L.A. noir: the struggle for the soul of America's most seductive city. Random House, Inc., He played Officer Frank Smith in eight episodes of the original Dragnet series. He played Frank La Valle in 23 episodes of The D.A.'s Man, and he played Beat bistro owner, painter and sculptor Wilbur in five episodes of Peter Gunn. Ellis and Webb later worked together on Dragnet 1966 and Dragnet 1967.
From 1959 to 1962, Ellis was cast as Dr. Dan Wagner in seven episodes of the CBS military sitcom/drama series, Hennesey, starring Jackie Cooper as a United States Navy physician, with Abby Dalton as nurse Martha Hale. Personal life and death Ellis was married to Sylvia Siegel, and they had two children. He died on December 26, 2018, at his home in San Gabriel, California. He was 97.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1953 A Blueprint for Murder First Detective at Desk Uncredited1954 Dragnet Booking Sergeant Uncredited1954 Rogue Cop Bartender Uncredited1954 Naked Alibi Communications Officer Uncredited1955 Pete Kelly's Blues Bedido 1956 The Killing 2nd American Airlines Clerk 1957 Paths of Glory Small Role Uncredited1958 Too Much, Too Soon Assistant Uncredited1958 Colgate Theatre Season 1 Episode 7: "Welcome to Washington"1958-1961 Peter Gunn Beat Bistro owner, painter and sculptor Wilbur, 5 Episodes 1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Detective Breslin Season 4 Episode 18: "The Last Dark Step" 1960 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Lieutenant Hogan Season 5 Episode 19: "Not the Running Type" 1961 The Andy Griffith Show Bobby Fleet Season 1, Episode 311964 My Favorite Martian News Reporter 1965 The Patty Duke Show Ralphie's Father 1966 What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? Lumpe 1966 The Fortune Cookie TV Director Dragnet Rico 'Ricky' Markell TV movie The Party Director 1968Hang 'Em High Swede Uncredited1970 Dragnet John Sawyer Episode: "Robbery: The Harassing Wife"
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