George Cleveland | |
|---|---|
 Cleveland in Lassie (1954) | |
| Born | George Alan Cleveland September 17, 1885 |
| Died | July 15, 1957 (aged 71) Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1930–1957 |
| Spouses |
Dorothy Melleck (m. 1955) |
George Alan Cleveland (September 17, 1885 – July 15, 1957) was a Canadian film actor.[1] He appeared in more than 180 films between 1930 and 1954.[2]
Cleveland was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.[3] His first appearance on the stage was in The Octaroon as a teenager.[4] Cleveland was active as a Vaudevillian before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he worked in films via acting, producing and directing.[5]
Although Cleveland played in more than 150 films during his 58-year career in show business, he acknowledged that he was most well-known for his role as George "Gramps" Miller in the early years of the long running American television series Lassie.[3][4] Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons (1954–1956) and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season (1957). His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season (1957) and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.[6]
Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in Burbank, California at age 71.[3][5] He was survived by his spouse Dorothy Melleck, whom he married as a widower in 1955.[7] Cleveland was previously married to Victory Bateman between 1910–1926, whom he had met while both actors were touring in Vaudeville.[8][9]
