Forrest Lewis


Raymond Forrest Lewis was an American actor of the theater, radio, motion pictures and television.

Early years

Lewis was born in Knightstown, Indiana, the son of Joseph Saint Lewis and Myla Leota Lewis and attended Indiana University for a year. On August 23, 1917, he married Elsa Grace Cross in Knightstown. They had a son, Forrest Gallion Lewis, and eventually divorced.

Stage

Lewis acted in repertory theater and then on Broadway with Lenore Ulric in Lulu Belle. He also acted in touring productions, including Broken Dishes.

Radio

Lewis's roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.
ProgramRole
The Great GildersleevePeavey
I Love a MysteryMichael
Meet the MeeksMortimer Meek
Mystery HouseDan Glenn
Scattergood BainesJ. Wellington Keats
The Woman in My HouseJames Carter

Also in radio he had parts in the anthology Destination Freedom, a series written by Richard Durham, dedicated to the retelling the lives of notable Negros in the Americas.
Lewis was in the supporting cast of Family Skeleton and The Roy Rogers Show.

Television

Lewis played Peavey in the syndicated television version of The Great Gildersleeve and Mr. Mack, the host on the ABC children's series Sandy Strong.
In the mid-1950s, he appeared as a deputy in the syndicated crime drama Sheriff of Cochise and its successor series, U.S. Marshal, both starring John Bromfield. He guest starred with Maudie Prickett in the episode "Brief Glory" of the syndicated Western series 26 Men, starring Tris Coffin. He appeared on a wide array of programs, ranging from the CBS Western series My Friend Flicka, set on a Wyoming ranch, to the NBC sitcom, The People's Choice, with Jackie Cooper, to the ABC's Western drama, The Man from Blackhawk, starring Robert Rockwell. He also appeared on the NBC Western series, Riverboat, starring Darren McGavin, and on the ABC sitcom, Harrigan and Son, starring Pat O'Brien, and the ABC drama series about the Roman Catholic priesthood, Going My Way. In 1957 Lewis appeared as Charlie Miller in the TV Western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Land Beyond the Law." He played Doc Blake in Wanted Dead or Alive S2 E13 "No Trail Back" which aired 11/28/1959.
Lewis was cast as the recurring character, Colby, in the 1961–1962 CBS sitcom Ichabod and Me with Robert Sterling, George Chandler, Reta Shaw, and Burt Mustin. Lewis also guest starred in the ABC/Warner Brothers Western series, Colt.45 with Wayde Preston, on the syndicated Western Mackenzie's Raiders, starring Richard Carlson, on the CBS hit comedy, The Andy Griffith Show, and on the ABC sitcom, The Real McCoys, starring Walter Brennan.

Death

Lewis died from a heart attack on June 2, 1977, in Burbank, California.

Partial filmography

Gildersleeve on Broadway – Druggist Carson I'll Tell the World – Joe Sunshine Week-End with Father – Clarence WillettHas Anybody Seen My Gal? – Martin QuinnIt Grows on Trees – Dr. BurrowsThe Lawless Breed – Zeke JenkinsThe Clown – Mr. Huston, the Pawnbroker Francis Covers the Big Town – Judge StanleyTake Me To Town – Ed Higgins, StorekeeperThe Stand at Apache River – DeadhorseGun Fury – WeatherbyEscape from Fort Bravo – Dr. Miller Dial Red O – Captain Cell 2455, Death Row – Parole Officer Apache Ambush – Sheriff Silas ParkerAll That Heaven Allows – Mr. WeeksThe Spoilers – Banty JonesMan in the Shadow – Jake Kelley, the coronerThe Sheepman – Mr. Baker – Tack Shop Proprietor The Thing That Couldn't Die – Julian AshThe Shaggy Dog – Officer KellyThe Monster of Piedras Blancas – Constable George MatsonPosse from Hell – Doctor WellesThe Absent-Minded Professor – Police Officer KelleySon of Flubber – Police Officer KellyTammy and the Doctor – Dr. CrandallMan's Favorite Sport? – SkaggsThe Dick Van Dyke Show – Mr. Harlow, NumismatistRed Line 7000 – Jenkins Out of Sight – Mr. CarterRiot on Sunset Strip – AynsleyThe Monkees – Pop in S1:E22, "Monkees at the Circus"Skin Game – Peter The Todd Killings – Mr. Robinson