Phil Leeds


Phil Leeds was an American character actor. He appeared in many movies and television series, including guest appearances in The Dick Van Dyke Show, Maude, The Monkees, Friends, Barney Miller, The Golden Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Boy Meets World and more.

Early life

Leeds was born into a New York City to a Jewish family on April 6, 1916. His father was a post office clerk. Raised in the Bronx, he was a peanut vendor for some time near Yankee Stadium and Manhattan's Polo Grounds. After serving in the US Army in World War II, he started his entertainment career.

Career

He began his career as a standup comedian and then went on to appear in several films and sitcoms, including Rosemary's Baby; Beaches; All in the Family; Three's Company; Night Court; Wings; Ally McBeal; Everybody Loves Raymond; The Larry Sanders Show, in three episodes as Hank Kingsley's agent; Barney Miller in seven episodes, including in one as a man who propositions Detective Fish; Car 54, Where Are You?; The Patty Duke Show; The Monkees; The Odd Couple; Happy Days; Friends; Roseanne, as Leon's co-worker and lover; Mad About You; The Dick Van Dyke Show, as Buddy Sorrell's pool shark brother; The Golden Girls; and Double Rush. Other roles include appearing as a friendly spirit in the 1990 film Ghost, the episode "When I'm 64" of the TV series ALF as Jack, one of the residents of a retirement home.
At age 80, he appeared on the 1996 Halloween episode of Roseanne, "Satan, Darling", in which Roseanne finds herself drawn into a parody version of Rosemary's Baby. His final role was a brief scene in Lost & Found.

Blacklist

Leeds was blacklisted during the McCarthy era after pleading the fifth when examined by the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Personal life

Leeds was married to fellow character actress Toby Brandt for 53 years until her death. Leeds was Jewish.

Death

Leeds died of pneumonia on August 16, 1998, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 82. "Happy Trails", an episode of Ally McBeal, featured footage of his prior appearances on the show, eulogizing his character.

Filmography

  • Rosie as Rosie
  • The Dick Van Dyke Show as Blackie Sorrell
  • The Monkees as Bernie Class
  • Mannix S1 E7 "Warning Live Blueberries" as "turned on" hippie guru Professor Wilson
  • Rosemary's Baby as Dr. Shand
  • Don't Drink the Water as Sam Blackwell
  • The Odd Couple as Salty Pepper
  • Maude as Principal Fishman
  • Happy Days as J. Jackie Silver
  • Mastermind as Israeli Agent #2
  • Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood as Dog Catcher
  • Silent Movie as Waiter
  • Three's Company as Lyle Wormwold
  • History of the World, Part I as Chief Monk for the Spanish Inquisition
  • CBS Children's Mystery Theatre as Uncle Max
  • Frankenstein's Great Aunt Tillie as Banker Schlockmocker
  • Night Court as Norm, God 2 and Arnold Koppelson
  • Saturday the 14th Strikes Back as Leonard
  • Beaches as Sammy Pinkers
  • Cat Chaser as Jerry Shea
  • Enemies, A Love Story as Pesheles
  • Ghost as Emergency Room Ghost
  • Coach as Man
  • He Said, She Said as Mr. Spepk
  • Soapdish as Old Man
  • Frankie and Johnny as Mr. DeLeon
  • All I Want for Christmas as Mr. Feld
  • Mad About You as Vacky, a peanut vendor
  • Matlock as Marty Willis
  • Clean Slate as Landlord
  • The Larry Sanders Show as Sid Bessel, Hank's agent
  • Double Rush as "The Kid"
  • ER as "Husband"
  • Two Much as The Lincoln Brigade
  • Friends as Mr. Adelman
  • Everybody Loves Raymond as Uncle Mel
  • Wings as Lou
  • Murphy Brown as Old Man
  • Krippendorf's Tribe as Dr. Harvey
  • Lost & Found as Mr. Elderly Couple
  • Boy Meets World as Phil/Milton
  • Barney Miller as Arthur Bloom
  • Ally McBeal as Judge Happy Boyle