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{{short description|American actor}}
{{Short description|American actor (1925–1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Charles Aidman
| name = Charles Aidman
| image = CharlesAidmanPic.jpg
| image = Charles Aidman in One Step Beyond (Legacy of Love).jpg
| caption = Aidman in an episode of ''[[:en:Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond|One Step Beyond]]'' (1960)
| caption =
| birth_name = Charles Leonard Aidman
| birth_name = Charles Leonard Aidman
| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|01|21}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1925|01|21}}
| birth_place = [[Frankfort, Indiana]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Frankfort, Indiana]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1993|11|07|1925|01|21}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1993|11|07|1925|01|21}}
| death_place = [[Beverly Hills, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Beverly Hills, California]], U.S.
| resting_place = [[Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary]]
| resting_place = [[Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary]], Los Angeles
| other_names = Chuck Aidman
| other_names = Chuck Aidman
| education = [[DePauw University]] <br> [[Indiana University]]
| education = [[DePauw University]] <br> [[Indiana University]]
| occupation = [[Actor]]
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1952–1992
| years_active = 1952–1992
| spouse = {{marriage|Frances Marie Spriggs|1957|1967|end=divorced}} <br> {{marriage|Betty Hyatt Linton|1969|1993|end=died}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Frances Garman|1957|1967|reason=divorced}}
{{marriage|Betty Hyatt Linton|1969}}
}}
}}

[[File:Charles Aidman.jpg|thumb|right|Charles Aidman on Trial by Fire]]
'''Charles Leonard Aidman''' (January 21, 1925 – November 7, 1993) was an American actor of stage, film, and television.
'''Charles Leonard Aidman''' (January 21, 1925 – November 7, 1993) was an American actor of stage, film, and television.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Aidman was born in [[Frankfort, Indiana]],<ref name=guide>[https://books.google.ca/books?id=e6ezCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA136-IA4&lpg=PA136-IA4&dq=charles+aidman+born+indianapolis&source=bl&ots=LwHjbM9ae7&sig=WdcoWgPNQ6W-cB17mzp9zAOiZ0M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-oq7W-NncAhUGGDQIHaT_CO44ChDoATAIegQIABAB#v=onepage&q=charles%20aidman%20born%20indianapolis&f=false ''TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book'']</ref> the son of George E. and Etta (Kwitny) Aidman. Aidman graduated from [[Frankfort High School (Indiana)|Frankfort High School]] and attended [[DePauw University]] prior to serving in the [[United States Navy]] during World War II. After the war he returned to his home state, where in Bloomington he enrolled at [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]] and studied drama there under the legendary instructor Dr. Lee Norvelle.
Aidman was born in [[Frankfort, Indiana]],<ref name=guide>[https://books.google.com/books?id=e6ezCgAAQBAJ&dq=charles+aidman+born+indianapolis&pg=PA136-IA4 ''TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book'']</ref> the son of George E. and Etta (Kwitny) Aidman. Aidman graduated from [[Frankfort High School (Indiana)|Frankfort High School]] and attended [[DePauw University]] prior to serving in the [[United States Navy]] during World War II. After the war he returned to his home state and graduated from [[Indiana University Bloomington|Indiana University]].<ref name="is">{{cite news |last1=Allison |first1=Jane |title=Aidman Helped By Big 'Breaks' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91727107/charles-aidman/ |access-date=January 3, 2022 |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=December 22, 1963 |location=Indiana, Indianapolis |page=16 - Section 5|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Aidman guest-starred on [[NBC]]'s ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' in the episode "The Devil's Children" and twice on the NBC [[Western (genre)|western]] series ''[[The Californians (TV series)|The Californians]]''. He also appeared twice on [[David Janssen]]'s ''[[Richard Diamond, Private Detective]]''. He portrayed a [[bounty hunter]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s western series ''[[Black Saddle]]''. He was cast in [[CBS]]'s fantasy drama, ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|Twilight Zone]]'', in the episodes "[[And When the Sky Was Opened]]" and "[[Little Girl Lost (The Twilight Zone)|Little Girl Lost]]." He also guest-starred on five other western series: the ABC/[[Warner Brothers]] series ''[[Colt .45 (TV series)|Colt .45]]''; ABC's ''[[The Rebel (American TV series)|The Rebel]]'', starring [[Nick Adams (actor, born 1931)|Nick Adams]]; NBC's ''[[Riverboat (TV series)|Riverboat]]'', as Frank Paxton in the episode "The Fight at New Canal," with [[Darren McGavin]]; and ''[[The Americans (1961 TV series)|The Americans]]'', starring [[Darryl Hickman]] and CBS's ''[[Trackdown (TV series)|Trackdown]]'', as Len Starbuck in "The Samaritan"; and CBS's ''[[Johnny Ringo (TV series)|Johnny Ringo]]'', as Jeffrey Blake in "The Stranger".
Aidman guest-starred on [[NBC]]'s ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' in the episode "The Devil's Children" and twice on the NBC [[Western (genre)|western]] series ''[[The Californians (TV series)|The Californians]]''. He also appeared twice on ''[[Richard Diamond, Private Detective]]''. He portrayed a [[bounty hunter]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s western series ''[[Black Saddle]]''. He was cast in [[CBS]]'s fantasy drama, ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|Twilight Zone]]'', in the episodes "[[And When the Sky Was Opened]]" and "[[Little Girl Lost (The Twilight Zone)|Little Girl Lost]]." He also guest-starred on six other western series: the ABC/[[Warner Brothers]] series ''[[Colt .45 (TV series)|Colt .45]]''; ABC's ''[[The Rebel (American TV series)|The Rebel]]'', CBS’s ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' (1969) as Verd in S4E15’s “Stage Hold Up”, NBC's ''[[Riverboat (TV series)|Riverboat]]'', as Frank Paxton in the episode "The Fight at New Canal"; ''[[The Americans (1961 TV series)|The Americans]]'', CBS's ''[[Trackdown (TV series)|Trackdown]]'', as Len Starbuck in "The Samaritan"; and CBS's ''[[Johnny Ringo (TV series)|Johnny Ringo]]'', as Jeffrey Blake in "The Stranger".


Aidman guest-starred on the NBC children's western ''[[Fury (TV series)|Fury]]'' with [[Peter Graves]] and [[Bobby Diamond]] and in episodes of the ABC/WB crime drama ''[[Bourbon Street Beat]]'', starring [[Andrew Duggan]], and in the [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] aviation adventure series ''[[Whirlybirds]]'', starring [[Kenneth Tobey]]. He appeared from 1959 to 1960 in different roles in three episodes of the syndicated crime drama ''[[Sheriff of Cochise|U.S. Marshal]]'' with [[John Bromfield]]. Aidman made a guest appearance on the [[CBS]] courtroom drama ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' in 1960 as murderer Arthur Siddons in "The Case of the Gallant Grafter." Aidman also guest starred in a 1961 episode of the western TV series ''[[Bonanza]]'' ("The Rival") as Jim Applegate.
Aidman guest-starred on the NBC children's western ''[[Fury (American TV series)|Fury]]'' in episodes of the ABC/WB crime drama ''[[Bourbon Street Beat]]'', and in the [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] aviation adventure series ''[[Whirlybirds]]''. He appeared from 1959 to 1960 in different roles in three episodes of the syndicated crime drama ''[[Sheriff of Cochise|U.S. Marshal]]''. Aidman made a guest appearance on the [[CBS]] courtroom drama ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' in 1960 as murderer Arthur Siddons in "The Case of the Gallant Grafter." Aidman also guest starred in a 1961 episode of the western TV series ''[[Bonanza]]'' ("The Rival") as Jim Applegate.


In 1961, in a ''[[Peter Gunn]]'' episode entitled "Witness in the Window", Aidman hires Peter Gunn to investigate a woman blackmailing him over alleged sexual improprieties he denies.
In "Shadow of the Past" (October 7, 1961) of the NBC western series ''[[The Tall Man (TV series)|The Tall Man]]'', Aidman is cast as Ben Wiley, the father of Sue Wiley ([[Barbara Parkins]]), the latest girlfriend of [[Billy the Kid]] ([[Clu Gulager]]). Sheriff [[Pat Garrett]] ([[Barry Sullivan (actor)|Barry Sullivan]]) recognizes Wiley as an informant who stopped Garrett from escaping from a [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] prison during the [[American Civil War]]. [[Nancy Reagan|Nancy Davis Reagan]] appears in this episode as Ben's wife, Sarah.{{Citation needed |date=July 2020}}


In "Shadow of the Past" (October 7, 1961) of the NBC western series ''[[The Tall Man (TV series)|The Tall Man]]'', Aidman is cast as Ben Wiley, the father of Sue Wiley, the latest girlfriend of [[Billy the Kid]].
⚫
Aidman was cast as George Ellsworth, an official with the United States Embassy in [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]], in the three-part 1963 episode "Security Risk" of the [[CBS]] anthology series ''[[GE True]]'', hosted by [[Jack Webb]]. Ellsworth in 1960 is blackmailed through a romantic affair with a young woman named Erica into passing secret information to the [[Communism|Communists]] at the height of the [[Cold War]]. He confessed his guilt despite the protection of [[diplomatic immunity]]. [[Karl Swenson]] and [[Parley Baer]] were also cast in this episode. He also played a sex education teacher in an episode of ''[[Slattery's People]]'', "Do The Ignorant Sleep in Pure White Sheets"?{{Citation needed |date=July 2020}}

⚫
Aidman was cast as George Ellsworth, an official with the United States Embassy in [[Warsaw]], [[Poland]], in the three-part 1963 episode "Security Risk" of the [[CBS]] anthology series ''[[GE True]]''. He also played a sex education teacher in an episode of ''[[Slattery's People]]'', "Do The Ignorant Sleep in Pure White Sheets"?


In 1963, Aidman adapted ''[[Spoon River Anthology]]'' by poet [[Edgar Lee Masters]] into a theater production that is still performed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PFAA_Presents_SPOON_RIVER_ANTHOLOGY_926_20100909|title=PFAA Presents Spoon River Anthology|work=Broadway World |publisher=September 9, 2010|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref>
In 1963, Aidman adapted ''[[Spoon River Anthology]]'' by poet [[Edgar Lee Masters]] into a theater production that is still performed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PFAA_Presents_SPOON_RIVER_ANTHOLOGY_926_20100909|title=PFAA Presents Spoon River Anthology|work=Broadway World |publisher=September 9, 2010|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref>


He appeared on another NBC western series starring Barry Sullivan, ''[[The Road West]]'', in its 1966 episode "The Lean Years." That same year Aidman played a scientist who turned into a werewolf in an episode of ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]''. He then guest-starred on CBS's ''[[The Wild Wild West]]'' in a recurring role for several episodes during the series' fourth season as Jeremy Pike, one of Jim West's substitute [[sidekick]]s. [[Ross Martin]], who portrayed West's regular sidekick Artemus Gordon in the series, was recovering from an illness. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Th4MAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vVwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7031,6351066&dq=charles-aidman&hl=en |title=The Scientist Seen As An Individual |date=November 29, 1968|work=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref>
He appeared on another NBC western series, ''[[The Road West]]'', in its 1966 episode "The Lean Years." That same year Aidman played a scientist who turned into a werewolf in an episode of ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]''. He then guest-starred on CBS's ''[[The Wild Wild West]]'' in a recurring role for several episodes during the series' fourth season as Jeremy Pike, one of Jim West's substitute [[sidekick]]s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Th4MAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vVwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7031,6351066&dq=charles-aidman&hl=en |title=The Scientist Seen As An Individual |date=November 29, 1968|work=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref> In 1968 he appeared in ABC's ''[[The Invaders]]'' as research scientist Julian Reed in the episode "[[The Pit (The Invaders)|The Pit]]".
In 1968 he appeared in ABC's ''[[The Invaders]]'' as research scientist Julian Reed in the episode "[[The Pit (The Invaders)|The Pit]]".


In 1970 Aidman appeared in ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five O]]'' as Dr. Royce, and in 1974 he introduced the character Louis Willis (later known as Tom Willis), father-in-law-to-be of [[Lionel Jefferson]], on the February 1974 episode of CBS's ''[[All In The Family]]'', "Lionel's Engagement". (The character was later played on the series ''[[The Jeffersons]]'' by [[Franklin Cover]], who did a much different take on the character.) He also played a teacher in an episode in the sixth season of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and also made a number of guest appearances on ''[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]''.
In 1970, Aidman appeared in ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five O]]'' as Dr. Royce, and in 1974, he introduced the character Louis Willis (later known as Tom Willis), father-in-law-to-be of [[Lionel Jefferson]], on the February 1974 episode of CBS's ''[[All In The Family]]'', "Lionel's Engagement". He also played a teacher in an episode in the sixth season of ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' and made two guest appearances on ''[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]''.


Aidman played the father of Elmer Dobkins in an episode of ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' and appeared in an episode of the 1974 [[police drama]] ''[[Nakia (TV series)|Nakia]]''. Three years later, he portrayed a memorable character in an episode of ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', "The Grim Reaper," playing Colonel Bloodworth, a callous, sadistic commander who takes pleasure in predicting casualties and reducing his troops to statistics. Later, from 1985-1987, Aidman served as the original narrator for the revival of ''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' series until he was replaced by [[Robin Ward (television personality)|Robin Ward]].
Aidman played the father of Elmer Dobkins in an episode of ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'' and appeared in an episode of the 1974 [[police drama]] ''[[Nakia (TV series)|Nakia]]''. Three years later, he portrayed a memorable character in an episode of ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]'', "The Grim Reaper," playing Colonel Bloodworth, a callous, sadistic commander who takes pleasure in predicting casualties and reducing his troops to statistics. Later, from 1985 to 1987, Aidman was the original narrator for the revival of ''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' series until he was replaced by [[Robin Ward (television personality)|Robin Ward]].


His film roles were in ''[[Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959), ''[[War Hunt]]'' (1962), ''[[Hour of the Gun]]'' (1967), ''[[Countdown (1968 film)|Countdown]]'' (1968), ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' (1969), ''[[Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here]]'' (1969), ''[[Adam at 6 A.M.]]'' (1970), ''[[Kotch]]'' (1971), ''[[Dirty Little Billy]]'' (1972), ''[[Deliver Us from Evil (1973 film)|Deliver Us from Evil]]'' (1973), ''[[Twilight's Last Gleaming]]'' (1977), ''[[Zoot Suit (film)|Zoot Suit]]'' (1981), ''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' (1983), and ''[[Innerspace]]'' (1987), the latter being one of his final acting appearances.
His film roles were in ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959), ''[[War Hunt]]'' (1962), ''[[Hour of the Gun]]'' (1967), ''[[Countdown (1968 film)|Countdown]]'' (1968), ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' (1969), ''[[Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here]]'' (1969), ''[[Adam at 6 A.M.]]'' (1970), ''[[Kotch]]'' (1971), ''[[Dirty Little Billy]]'' (1972), ''[[Deliver Us from Evil (1973 film)|Deliver Us from Evil]]'' (1973), ''[[Twilight's Last Gleaming]]'' (1977), ''[[Zoot Suit (film)|Zoot Suit]]'' (1981), ''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' (1983), and ''[[Innerspace]]'' (1987), the latter being one of his final acting appearances.


==Personal life and death==
==Death==
Aidman died of [[cancer]] in [[Beverly Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-3w1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=XOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630,2461001&dq=charles-aidman&hl=en |title=Obituary|date=November 10, 1993|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name=guide/> He is interred in the Room of Prayer at [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]].<ref>[https://books.google.ca/books?id=ZraJCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA212&lpg=PA212&dq=charles+aidman+westwood&source=bl&ots=k6M694fcsd&sig=OhOqWcKSH9omrybVmhzlCmWaxgs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiivqS1-NncAhXlNX0KHf8AArkQ6AEwDXoECAIQAQ#v=onepage&q=charles%20aidman%20westwood&f=false ''Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries'']</ref>
Aidman was married to model Frances Garman.<ref name="is" /> In November, 1993, he died of [[cancer]] at [[Beverly Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-3w1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=XOoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4630,2461001&dq=charles-aidman&hl=en |title=Obituary|date=November 10, 1993|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|accessdate=September 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name=guide/> He is interred in the Room of Prayer at [[Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZraJCgAAQBAJ&dq=charles+aidman+westwood&pg=PA212 ''Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries'']</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 55: Line 59:
|1956|| ''[[The Wrong Man]]'' || Jail Medical Attendant || Uncredited role
|1956|| ''[[The Wrong Man]]'' || Jail Medical Attendant || Uncredited role
|-
|-
|1959|| ''[[Pork Chop Hill]]'' || Lieutenant Harrold ||
|1959|| ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'' || Lieutenant Harrold ||
|-
|-
|1962|| ''[[War Hunt]]'' || Captain Wallace Pratt ||
|1961|| ''[[Gunsmoke]]'' || Dack || S6 E23, About Chester ||
|-
|-
|1967|| ''[[Countdown (1968 film)|Countdown]]'' || Gus ||
|rowspan="2"|1962|| ''[[War Hunt]]'' || Captain Wallace Pratt ||
|-
|-
|1967|| ''[[Hour of the Gun]]'' || Horace Sullivan ||
|''[[The Dick Van Dyke Show]]'' || Glen Jameson ||
|-
|-
|1969|| ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' || Willy Steele ||
|rowspan="2"|1967|| ''[[Countdown (1968 film)|Countdown]]'' || Gus ||
|-
|-
|1969|| ''[[Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here]]'' || Judge Benby ||
|''[[Hour of the Gun]]'' || Horace Sullivan ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|1969|| ''[[Angel, Angel, Down We Go]]'' || Willy Steele ||
|-
|''[[Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here]]'' || Judge Benby ||
|-
|-
|1970|| ''[[Adam at 6 A.M.]]'' || Mr. Hopper ||
|1970|| ''[[Adam at 6 A.M.]]'' || Mr. Hopper ||
Line 81: Line 89:
|1981|| ''[[Zoot Suit (film)|Zoot Suit]]'' || George Shearer ||
|1981|| ''[[Zoot Suit (film)|Zoot Suit]]'' || George Shearer ||
|-
|-
|1982|| ''The American Adventure'' || Father || Voice role
|1982|| ''[[The American Adventure (Epcot)|The American Adventure]]'' || Father || Voice role
|-
⚫
|rowspan="2"|1983|| ''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' || Senator Hastings ||
|-
|''Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse|| rowspan="3" | Narrator|| rowspan="3" | Voice role
|-
|rowspan="2"|1984|| ''From Disney, with Love''
|-
|-
|''Disney's Salute to Mom''
⚫
|1983|| ''[[Uncommon Valor]]'' || Senator Hastings ||
|-
|-
|1987|| ''[[Innerspace]]'' || Speaker At Banquet ||
|1987|| ''[[Innerspace]]'' || Speaker At Banquet ||
Line 94: Line 108:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Amg name}}
* {{Amg name}}

Latest revision as of 23:42, 28 September 2024

Charles Aidman
Aidman in an episode of One Step Beyond (1960)
Born
Charles Leonard Aidman

(1925-01-21)January 21, 1925
Frankfort, Indiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 7, 1993(1993-11-07) (aged 68)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting placePierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, Los Angeles
Other namesChuck Aidman
EducationDePauw University
Indiana University
OccupationActor
Years active1952–1992
Spouse
Frances Garman
​
​
(m. 1957; div. 1967)​
Betty Hyatt Linton
​
(m. 1969)​

Charles Leonard Aidman (January 21, 1925 – November 7, 1993) was an American actor of stage, film, and television.

Early life

[edit]

Aidman was born in Frankfort, Indiana,[1] the son of George E. and Etta (Kwitny) Aidman. Aidman graduated from Frankfort High School and attended DePauw University prior to serving in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war he returned to his home state and graduated from Indiana University.[2]

Career

[edit]

Aidman guest-starred on NBC's The Virginian in the episode "The Devil's Children" and twice on the NBC western series The Californians. He also appeared twice on Richard Diamond, Private Detective. He portrayed a bounty hunter on the ABC's western series Black Saddle. He was cast in CBS's fantasy drama, Twilight Zone, in the episodes "And When the Sky Was Opened" and "Little Girl Lost." He also guest-starred on six other western series: the ABC/Warner Brothers series Colt .45; ABC's The Rebel, CBS’s Gunsmoke (1969) as Verd in S4E15’s “Stage Hold Up”, NBC's Riverboat, as Frank Paxton in the episode "The Fight at New Canal"; The Americans, CBS's Trackdown, as Len Starbuck in "The Samaritan"; and CBS's Johnny Ringo, as Jeffrey Blake in "The Stranger".

Aidman guest-starred on the NBC children's western Fury in episodes of the ABC/WB crime drama Bourbon Street Beat, and in the syndicated aviation adventure series Whirlybirds. He appeared from 1959 to 1960 in different roles in three episodes of the syndicated crime drama U.S. Marshal. Aidman made a guest appearance on the CBS courtroom drama Perry Mason in 1960 as murderer Arthur Siddons in "The Case of the Gallant Grafter." Aidman also guest starred in a 1961 episode of the western TV series Bonanza ("The Rival") as Jim Applegate.

In 1961, in a Peter Gunn episode entitled "Witness in the Window", Aidman hires Peter Gunn to investigate a woman blackmailing him over alleged sexual improprieties he denies.

In "Shadow of the Past" (October 7, 1961) of the NBC western series The Tall Man, Aidman is cast as Ben Wiley, the father of Sue Wiley, the latest girlfriend of Billy the Kid.

Aidman was cast as George Ellsworth, an official with the United States Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, in the three-part 1963 episode "Security Risk" of the CBS anthology series GE True. He also played a sex education teacher in an episode of Slattery's People, "Do The Ignorant Sleep in Pure White Sheets"?

In 1963, Aidman adapted Spoon River Anthology by poet Edgar Lee Masters into a theater production that is still performed.[3]

He appeared on another NBC western series, The Road West, in its 1966 episode "The Lean Years." That same year Aidman played a scientist who turned into a werewolf in an episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He then guest-starred on CBS's The Wild Wild West in a recurring role for several episodes during the series' fourth season as Jeremy Pike, one of Jim West's substitute sidekicks.[4] In 1968 he appeared in ABC's The Invaders as research scientist Julian Reed in the episode "The Pit".

In 1970, Aidman appeared in Hawaii Five O as Dr. Royce, and in 1974, he introduced the character Louis Willis (later known as Tom Willis), father-in-law-to-be of Lionel Jefferson, on the February 1974 episode of CBS's All In The Family, "Lionel's Engagement". He also played a teacher in an episode in the sixth season of The Andy Griffith Show and made two guest appearances on The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Aidman played the father of Elmer Dobkins in an episode of Little House on the Prairie and appeared in an episode of the 1974 police drama Nakia. Three years later, he portrayed a memorable character in an episode of M*A*S*H, "The Grim Reaper," playing Colonel Bloodworth, a callous, sadistic commander who takes pleasure in predicting casualties and reducing his troops to statistics. Later, from 1985 to 1987, Aidman was the original narrator for the revival of The Twilight Zone series until he was replaced by Robin Ward.

His film roles were in Pork Chop Hill (1959), War Hunt (1962), Hour of the Gun (1967), Countdown (1968), Angel, Angel, Down We Go (1969), Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969), Adam at 6 A.M. (1970), Kotch (1971), Dirty Little Billy (1972), Deliver Us from Evil (1973), Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977), Zoot Suit (1981), Uncommon Valor (1983), and Innerspace (1987), the latter being one of his final acting appearances.

Personal life and death

[edit]

Aidman was married to model Frances Garman.[2] In November, 1993, he died of cancer at Beverly Hills, California.[5][1] He is interred in the Room of Prayer at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.[6]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1956 The Wrong Man Jail Medical Attendant Uncredited role
1959 Pork Chop Hill Lieutenant Harrold
1961 Gunsmoke Dack S6 E23, About Chester
1962 War Hunt Captain Wallace Pratt
The Dick Van Dyke Show Glen Jameson
1967 Countdown Gus
Hour of the Gun Horace Sullivan
1969 Angel, Angel, Down We Go Willy Steele
Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here Judge Benby
1970 Adam at 6 A.M. Mr. Hopper
1971 Kotch Gerald Kotcher
1972 Dirty Little Billy Ben Antrim
1973 Deliver Us from Evil Arnold Fleming
1977 Twilight's Last Gleaming Bernstein
1978 The House of the Dead Detective Malcolm Toliver Also known as Alien Zone
1981 Zoot Suit George Shearer
1982 The American Adventure Father Voice role
1983 Uncommon Valor Senator Hastings
Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse Narrator Voice role
1984 From Disney, with Love
Disney's Salute to Mom
1987 Innerspace Speaker At Banquet

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b TV's M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book
  2. ^ a b Allison, Jane (December 22, 1963). "Aidman Helped By Big 'Breaks'". The Indianapolis Star. Indiana, Indianapolis. p. 16 - Section 5. Retrieved January 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "PFAA Presents Spoon River Anthology". Broadway World. September 9, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  4. ^ "The Scientist Seen As An Individual". St. Petersburg Times. November 29, 1968. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  5. ^ "Obituary". The Gainesville Sun. November 10, 1993. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  6. ^ Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries
[edit]
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