Charles T. Aldrich Jr. Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Gale Gordon (born Charles Thomas Aldrich, Jr., February 20, 1906 – June 30, 1995) was an American character actor perhaps best remembered as Lucille Ball's longtime television foil—and particularly as cantankerously combustible, tightfisted bank executive Theodore J. Mooney, on Ball's second television situation comedy, The Lucy Show. Gordon also had starring roles in Ball's third series Here's Lucy and her short-lived fourth series Life with Lucy. Gordon was also a respected radio actor.
Character actor Gale Gordon found his niche as stuffy, blustery characters on Our Miss Brooks (1952) and the various Lucille Ball sitcoms. In his early film appearances, he usually played stuffy military officers. Gordon was at his best when he had to deliver the "slow burn" take.
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Ever the curmudgeon, Gale Gordon is best known for his work in TV - and especially his long association with Lucille Ball, having appeared in several of her series for more than two decades from 1962.
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Played Ronald Coleman's part in the first version of "The Halls of Ivy" on NBC radio. The show was re-recorded with Mr. and Mrs. Coleman in the leads. [1951]
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Father, Charles T. Aldrich, was a vaudevillian.
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Born with a cleft palate, he was sent to England for corrective surgery while a baby.
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First big break into show business was in 1923 when he met the renowned financier Baron Rothschild, who gave him a letter of introduction to the Shuberts. Gale made his Broadway debut under their auspices in "The Dancers" (1923).
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Was Lucille Ball's original choice to play Fred Mertz on 'I Love Lucy'.
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He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6340 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
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Was known for his ability to do cartwheels, even after reaching his senior years. Can be seen doing a cartwheel on several episodes of "Here's Lucy".
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Played the Walter Huston role on the 10/07/46 Lux Theater broadcast of "Dragonwyck" with Gene Tierney and Vincent Price.
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He was the Rexall Drugs spokesman for NBC Radio's "The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show" (1948-1950). His part was integrated into the actual scripts.
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Portrayed principal Osgood Conklin on CBS Radio's "Our Miss Brooks" (1948-1957).
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He had some experience with banks before he played Theodore J. Mooney on The Lucy Show (1962). He portrayed bank president Rudolph Atterbury on CBS Radio's "My Favorite Husband" (1948-1951).
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Gale Gordon was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1999.
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Gale's wife, Virginia, died about a month before he did.
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Gordon got his break on radio as "Mayor Latrivia" on the ever popular "Fibber McGee & Molly Show" which was on the radio from 1935-1959.
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He died at the Redwood Terrace Health Center in Escondido, California after a long battle with cancer.
$1.3 Million
