Leon Ames

Actor

About

Also Known As

Leon Waycoff, Leon Wykoff

Birth Place

Portland, Indiana, USA

Born

January 20, 1902

Died

October 12, 1993

Cause of Death

Complications Resulting From A Stroke

Biography

Filmography

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

Jake Speed (1986)

Testament (1983)

Just You And Me, Kid (1979)

Sherlock Holmes in New York (1976)

Daniel Furman

The Meal (1975)

Photos & Videos

View All

Parachute Jumper (1933) -- (Movie Clip) He Must Need The Money

Lady In The Lake (1947) -- (Movie Clip) Imagine You Needing Ice Cubes!

Family & Companions

Christine Gossett

Wife

Actor. Married in 1938; met on Hollywood sound stage.

Biography

Pleasant-looking, dapper, often mustachioed character actor best known for his paternal roles and a wide variety of professional types. Ames, who early in his career used the surname of "Waycoff," made his screen debut as the romantic hero in Robert Florey's striking horror film, "Murders in the Rue Morgue" (1932). Shortly afterward, Ames played a role as important as any he played onscreen when, in 1933, he was one of 19 actors who met to form the Screen Actors Guild. In an organization whose ranks eventually swelled to well over 80,000, Ames, card number 15, served long and well as a member of the board for over 30 years and also as recording secretary (1947-48), first vice president (1952-56) and president (1957-58).

Waycoff adopted the surname "Ames" beginning with the film "Strangers All" (1935) and continued his long stage ("It Pays to Sin" 1933, "Bright Honor" 1936) and screen ("The Mysterious Mr. Moto" 1938, "Man of Conquest" 1939) apprenticeship in dozens of minor and then supporting roles. Ames gained increased prominence at MGM in the 1940s after he gave a marvelous performance as the harassed head of the Smith household in Vincente Minnelli's delightful period musical, "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944). Thereafter he was immediately typecast as forceful, but warm and benevolent, fathers and professional men in films ranging from "Yolanda and the Thief" (1945) to "Battleground" (1949). Although he gave a strong performance as the shrewd prosecuting attorney in "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (1946), Ames returned to his paternal role on the television series, "Life With Father" (1953-55) and "Father of the Bride" (1961-62). He also later played neighbor Gordon Kirkwood in TV's "Mr. Ed" (1961-66). In a film and TV career spanning hundreds of credits covering more than half a century (his last feature part was as Kathleen Turner's grandfather in "Peggy Sue Got Married" 1986), the always-welcome Ames brought to his roles his attractive, commanding voice and a smooth professionalism.

Filmography

Life Events

1925

Joined Charles K Champlin Company in Lansford, Pennsylvania; first as general business manager, then as actor in small parts

1932

First film as actor, "Murders in the Rue Morgue"

1933

Broadway debut in "It Pays to Sin"

1933

Was one of the founding members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

1934

Gave up his membership on SAG's board of directors because he was too busy with acting roles (date approximate)

1935

Changed name to Ames, with film "Strangers All"

1943

Signed to seven-year contract with MGM; first film under contract, "Meet Me in St. Louis"

1945

Rejoined board of directors of SAG, replacing actor Charles Boyer

1947

Served as recording secretary of SAG

1979

Named a president emeritus of SAG

1986

Last feature credit, "Peggy Sue Got Married"

Photo Collections

Son of Flubber - Pressbook

Here is the original campaign book (pressbook) for Disney's Son of Flubber (1963), starring Fred MacMurray. Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater.

The Absent-Minded Professor - Pressbook

Here is the original campaign book (pressbook) for Disney's The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), starring Fred MacMurray. Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater.