George Chandler

After military service during the First World War, Chandler studied at the University of Illinois, financing his studies by playing jazz violin in a band. During the early 1920's, he returned to the vaudeville circuit and began in films from 1928. Most of his early efforts were short one- and two-reel comedies, arguably his best being _The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933)_ (qv) with 'W.C. Fields' (qv). While he mostly appeared in comedy and had countless bit parts, he later proved that he could handle meatier assignments, such as the simple-minded husband of 'Ginger Rogers' (qv), Amos, in _Roxie Hart (1942)_ (qv). George was a protege of director 'William A. Wellman' (qv) , who used him in twenty of his films.On television, he made his mark as the jovial, well-remembered Uncle Petrie in _Lassie (1954)_ (qv). He also had many good guest spots in other series, a particularly enjoyable one being the old man who sells a haunted Model A to dubious second-hand car dealer 'Jack Carson' (qv)(with interesting results) in _The Twilight Zone (1959)_ (qv) episode 'The Whole Truth' (1961). Prior to replacing 'Ronald Reagan' (qv) as president of the Screen Actor's Guild, Chandler had been treasurer for twelve years (1948-60).::I.S.Mowis