RealGM

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Allan Melvin, a character actor best known for playing Sam the Butcher on "The Brady Bunch," has died. He was 84.

Melvin died of cancer Thursday at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, said Amalia Melvin, his wife of 64 years.

The jowly, jovial Melvin spent decades playing a series of sidekicks, second bananas and lovable lugs, including Archie Bunker's friend Barney Hefner on "All in the Family," and Sgt. Bilko's right-hand man Cpl. Henshaw on the "Phil Silvers Show."

But his place in pop culture will be fixed as butcher and bowler Sam Franklin, the love interest of Brady family maid Alice Nelson, who was played by Ann B. Davis. Melvin played the role from 1970 to 1973.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1923, Melvin grew up in New York and attended Columbia University.

He was appearing on Broadway in "Stalag 17" when he began his decades-long television career with "The Phil Silvers Show," playing a role his wife said was always his favorite.

"He was proudest of that show," Amalia Melvin said. "I think the camaraderie of all those guys made it such a pleasant way to work. They were so relaxed."

He saw steady employment as a voice actor from the early 1960s to the early 1990s, most famously providing the voice of "Magilla Gorilla" for the Hanna Barbera cartoon of the same name.

His other credits include several guest appearances on "The Andy Griffith Show," "Gomer Pyle: USMC," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

In addition to Amalia, Melvin is survived by daughter Jennifer Hanson and grandson Jon Hanson Jr. A daughter, Mya, died in 1970.

emperorjones wrote:Ever wonder what you'll be wearing when you die? And if you knew it, would you buy the clothes?

cfan79 wrote:I'm sure Alice will miss Sam the Butcher's meat. Some say he had the best in town including Mrs Brady.

Dr. Lechter wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


Actually, isn't Alice a lesbian? I'm not kidding. Isn't she?

Dr. Lechter wrote: Actually, isn't Alice a lesbian? I'm not kidding. Isn't she?

Dr. Lechter wrote:

Actually, isn't Alice a lesbian? I'm not kidding. Isn't she?

Ben B. wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Re: the quote in your "Location":

Just an hour ago I was making a clip for one of my opening lectures using the "First principles, Clarice" scene. It's a perfect way to describe the proper means of approaching a text... "I've read the case files, have you? Everything you need to find him is right there in those pages." What a great on-screen relationship and dialogue...

Dr. Lechter wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



It is. It's also a perfect example of a writer finally getting it right after trial and error.

On a wierd side note: I can actually do the voice too. I did it when the movie came out after the first viewing. I was walking out of the theater with my girlfriend at the time and I turned and asked her: "Do you think Jack Crawford desires you sexually? True, he is much older--"

She hit me so hard I knew I must have done it right.

On another topic BenB--have you seen "There will be Blood"? If not, see it. It's the movie of the year and Daniel Day is volcanic. It also has a line that will live forever in movie history.

There is a website devoted to the line and I don't want to ruin it for everybody or I would just post it. It's hysterical. A website devoted to a movie line.

Magilla_Gorilla wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I guess you've never heard of "You're the man now dog..."

Ben B. wrote:I haven't seen "There Will Be Blood" yet. My wife saw it with my mother while I stayed home and worked. They both liked it a lot, but I haven't heard about "the line" so I'll try to see the movie soon. I hope that everyone follows your lead and avoids posting any spoilers.