Hans Conried

Stars

Hans Conried was regarded by critics as one of the great comic character actors and appeared in just about every show business medium during his 46-year career — radio, television, motion pictures and the stage. But performing before live audiences in out-of-the-way places was what he enjoyed most.

He had been a regular on such radio shows as "The Great Gildersleeve," "My Friend Irma" and "Life with Luigi" and was probably best known for his television appearances as Uncle Tonoose on the old Danny Thomas show. Before that, he swapped anecdotes with comedian Jack Paar on "The Tonight Show."

He tirelessly toured in summer stock between roles in such films as "Big Jim McClain," "Peter Pan," "Bus Stop," "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis" and "You’re Never Too Young." He was also the voice of Captain Hook and Mr. Darling in Disney's animated classic "Peter Pan" (1953).

Thousands of Americans also watched him perform in the flesh, in small theaters in such places as Carbondale, Ill.; Hillsdale, Mich.; and Cookeville, Tenn.

Another of Conried’s favorite ways to entertain was performing and speaking at colleges and giving lectures on subjects such as children’s literature. At his peak, he made as many as 90 college lectures in a single season.

— Richard West in the Los Angeles Times Jan. 6, 1982