Booth Colman (March 8, 1923 – December 15, 2014) was an American film, television and stage actor. In his later years he played older authority figures, such as doctors and lawyers. Colman appeared in films since 1952, when he debuted (uncredited) in The Big Sky directed by Howard Hawks.
Life and career Colman was born to a Jewish parents Sol and Sona Cohn in Portland, Oregon. As a child actor in local productions, he became active in local radio. He studied Oriental language at the University of Washington and University of Michigan. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army on May 12, 1943, and attended language training at the University of Michigan from 1943 to 1944.University of Michigan Official Publication, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, volume 47, number 40, October 2, 1945, "Part XXII Register of Students 1943-1944", page 73. Note, listed as "Cohn, Robert Sanford". After language training, he worked in New York City and was discharged from the army in 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey.High Council - An Interview with Booth Colman, by Jeff Krueger - 'Simian Scrolls' #12"Index Record for Cohn, Robert S", military service number 39331977, Fold3 by Ancestry.com website. While in New York, he began a long career in Broadway theater, first appearing in a production of Irwin Shaw's war drama The Assassin. He was soon invited to join Maurice Evans' acting company, where he continued to act on stage, and later in films. His other Broadway credits include Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (1950), Tonight at 8:30 (1948), and Hamlet (1945).
He appeared dozens of times on prime-time television dramas and comedies. In 1964, he appeared in two full episodes of Perry Mason, one as a doctor in police investigations and the other as a prosecuting attorney. Other televisions appearances include My Three Sons (1962), Frasier, Gilligan's Island, McCloud and The Monkees. Films include Them! (1954), The Silver Chalice (1954), Moonfleet (1955), My Gun Is Quick (1957), Wild on the Beach (1965), Maryjane (1968), The Lawyer (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Time Travelers (1976), Norma Rae (1979) and Intolerable Cruelty (2003). In 1983, he portrayed the kindly scientist, Professor Hector Jerrold, in the ABC daytime melodrama General Hospital.
In 1974, Colman played the role of Dr. Zaius in the popular short-lived TV series, Planet of the Apes; the role made famous on the big screen by his former teacher, Maurice Evans. In the six episodes in which he appeared, he wore the original costume Evans used in Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes.
Colman played Scrooge over 600 times on stage in A Christmas Carol at the Meadow Brook Theatre in the Detroit area.
Death He died in his sleep in Los Angeles at the age of 91 on December 15, 2014.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1952 The Big Sky Pascal Uncredited 1953 Julius Caesar Citizen of Rome Uncredited 1953 Flight Nurse Australian Uncredited 1954 Secret of the Incas Juan Fernandez Uncredited 1954 Them! Reporter Uncredited 1954 Ring of Fear Psychiatrist Uncredited 1954 Living It Up Fernandez Uncredited 1954 The Adventures of Hajji Baba Akim Uncredited 1954 The Human Jungle Wallace 1954 The Silver Chalice Hiram 1955 Prince of Players Ghost of Buckingham Palace Uncredited 1955 The Prodigal Barber Uncredited 1955 Jump into Hell Legionnaire Uncredited 1955 Moonfleet Capt. Stanhope 1956 World Without End Mories 1956 Flight to Hong Kong Maxler 1957 My Gun Is Quick Det. Pat Chambers 1958 The Beast of Budapest Lt. Stefko 1958 The Case Against Brooklyn George - TV Interviewer Uncredited 1958 Tarawa Beachhead Sam Pelligram Uncredited 1958 Auntie Mame Alan - Party Guest Uncredited 1958 The Power of the Resurrection James 1959 The Man Who Understood Women Max Uncredited 1960 The Bramble Bush Dr. Peterford Uncredited 1960 Under Ten Flags 1961 Romanoff and Juliet Customs Officer 1961 The Comancheros Hotel Clerk Uncredited 1964 A Global Affair United Nations Delegate Uncredited 1964 Kisses for My President TV Producer Uncredited 1964 Fate Is the Hunter Technician with Seagull feather Uncredited 1964 Youngblood Hawke TV Interviewer Uncredited 1964 Raiders from Beneath the Sea Purdy 1965 Runaway Girl Angelo Guglietta 1965 Harlow Minister Uncredited 1965 Arizona Raiders Ohio Gazette Editor Uncredited 1965 Wild on the Beach Dean Parker 1968 Maryjane Maynard Parlow 1970 The Lawyer Judge Crawford 1970 The Great White Hope Citizens Committee Man Uncredited 1971 Scandalous John Governor Murray 1973 Time to Run Officer Harvey 1974 I Love You... Good-bye Professor Halton 1979 Norma Rae Dr. Watson 2000 Return to the Secret Garden Old Man 2001 The Man Who Wasn't There Judge #2 2003 Intolerable Cruelty Gutman Trial Judge
Television