Herbert "Herb" Vigran was a well-known American character actor in Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1980s. Over his 50-year career, he made over 350 television and film appearances. Born on June 5, 1910, he was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, later moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he graduated with a law degree from Indiana University School of Law, later pursuing an acting career on Broadway before moving to Hollywood. An agent landed him a job in the radio drama Silver Theatre, where his unique voice lead to other radio performances with Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Jimmy Durante.. Ball later provided him with jobs through Desilu Studios, leading him into television appearances on "The Adventures of Superman,' "Dragnet," "I Love Lucy," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "Perry Mason." From 1970 to 1975, Vigran had a recurring role as Judge Brooker on "Gunsmoke," but he also remained one of Lucy’s favorite co-stars. Vigran appeared in several episodes of “I Love Lucy” and “Here’s Lucy” through his career, but he also became a top-rated character actor through TV shows in the 60s and 70s, such as “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Bonanza,” ”The Bob Newhart Show,” ”The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” ”Bewitched,” “The Beverly Hillbillies,” "I Dream Of Jeannie,” ”The Brady Bunch,” ”Kolchak The Night Stalker” and “The Jeffersons.” With his bushy eyebrows and balding pate, he was easily cast in a wide variety of typical characters roles ranging from small-time crooks, random business men and even police officers and judges. Through his film career, he worked alongside several of the top stars in his field, such as Abbott and Costello in "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" and with Ronald Reagan in “Bedtime For Bonzo.” His career ultimately expanded over four decades with a role in the 1980 film, “Airplane!” Active up until his death on November 29, 1986, he passed away from cancer at the age of 76 in Los Angeles, California, survived by his wife and two sons. He was cremated.
Episode(s)[]
- Little Island, Big Gun - voice only
- New Neighbor Sam - voice only