George Cleveland


Grover "George" Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1930 and 1954.

Career

Cleveland was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. His first appearance on the stage was in The Octaroon as a teenager. Cleveland was active as a vaudevillian before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he worked in films via acting, producing and directing.
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. Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season. His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.

Death

Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in Burbank, California at age 71. He was survived by his spouse Dorothy Melleck, whom he married as a widower in 1955. Cleveland was previously married to Victory Bateman between 1910-1926, whom he had met while both actors were touring in Vaudeville.

Selected filmography

The Thoroughbred - Detective Sky Raiders - John - the Air Dispatcher He Couldn't Take It - Drunk A Woman's Man - Announcer at Premiere Mystery Liner - Simms the StewardSchool for Girls - ReevesHouse of Mystery - Detective Clancy Voice in the Night - Worker City Limits - Graflex Blue Steel - Hank - InnkeeperThe Man from Utah - Nevada SheriffMonte Carlo Nights - CroupierThe Star Packer - Jake - Cook Girl o' My Dreams - Newsreel Company Man The Hoosier Schoolmaster - Townsman Make a Million - Fake Blind BeggarThe Keeper of the Bees - JudgeShe Gets Her Man - Drunk in Lunch Room Cheers of the Crowd - Newsreel Man The Public Menace - Ship's Pilot His Night Out - DetectiveThe Spanish Cape Mystery - JorumForced Landing - JollyI Conquer the Sea! - Caleb AshleyBlack Gold - ClemmonsDon't Get Personal - The FarmerBrilliant Marriage - BartenderFlash Gordon - Professor HensleyRio Grande Romance - Sheriff WilliamsRevolt of the Zombies - Gen. DuvalTwo-Fisted Gentleman - Mr. BainbridgePhantom Patrol - Inspector McCloudRobinson Crusoe of Clipper Island - Goebel - Gang ScientistNorth of Nome - Ship CaptainThe Plainsman - Van Ellyn Associate The Devil Diamond - George DavisBreezing Home - Politician Paradise Express - Farmer BeasleySwing It, Professor - DeanNight Key - Sam Adams - Company Engineer West Bound Limited - Division Superintendent The Toast of New York - Perkins - Luke's Secretary in Boston Atlantic Flight - Old-Timer in Diner Trapped by G-Men - MinerSmall Town Boy - Police Station Man Behind the Mike - Stable ManA Girl with Ideas - Malladay Adventure's End - TomBoy of the Streets - Tim 'Flannel-Mouth' FarleyPrescription for Romance - Cab Driver The Lone Ranger - George BlanchardBorn to Be Wild - Stevens The Port of Missing Girls - ClintonRose of the Rio Grande - PedroFlash Gordon's Trip to Mars - Professor Hensley Outlaws of Sonora - Association Director Romance of the Limberlost - NathanPrison Break - DingUnder the Big Top - JoeThe Strange Case of Dr. Meade - ThurberGhost Town Riders - Judge StillwellConvict's Code - Gas Station Attendant Home on the Prairie - Jim WheelerThe Phantom Stage - Sidekick GrizzlyStreets of New York - Pop O'TooleWolf Call - Dr. MacTavishStunt Pilot - SheriffKonga, the Wild Stallion - TaborDick Tracy's G-Men - Gramps Williams Mutiny in the Big House - Convict 'Dad' SchultzOverland Mail - Frank Porter - aka Saunders