Fritz Feld, 93, for years a versatile entertainer who played spies, chefs, butlers and gendarmes in the movies, died Thursday.
Feld is perhaps best known for a gimmick in which he slapped his rounded, open mouth with the palm of his hand, making a popping noise, giving many of his roles a distinctive characteristic.
He appeared in 425 major film productions, including “Barfly,””The Sunshine Boys” and Mel Brooks’ “History of the World, Part I” and “Silent Movie.”
His earlier films included “I Met Him in Paris,””Bringing Up Baby,””The Phantom of the Opera,””Call Me Madam” and “Hello Dolly.” He also performed on radio and in TV commercials. He made 30 silent movies as a heavy, appearing with Norma Talmadge, John Barrymore and Emil Jennings.
His TV appearances included spots on “The Tonight Show,””The Mike Douglas Show” and “General Hospital.” He directed Sidney Greenstreet in “Berlin” at the George M. Cohan Theatre and co-directed Vicky Baum’s “Grand Hotel” at the National Theatre.
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With the late Joseph Schildkraut, Feld co-founded the Hollywood Playhouse and later was coordinator for the Fritz Feld Community Theater in Brentwood. In 1968 , he was elected chairman of the American National Theatre Committee, Southern California chapter. In 1971 he served on the Screen Actors Guild’s board of directors.
He is survived by his wife, actress Virginia Christine (Mrs. Olsen in the Folgers coffee commercials); two sons, Danny and Steven; a brother, Rudi; and two grandchildren, Jessica and Brian.
Memorial services will be at noon Nov. 30 at Mount Sinai Memorial Park.
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