Biography
Sheldon Leonard began his film career in the 1927 "The Overland Stage", but returned to the real stage until 1939. He then appeared in "Another Thin Man", continuing to act in more than 70 films through the 1970s. Among his better-known were "Weekend in Havana" (1941), "Lucky Jordan" (1942), Howard Hawks' "To Have and Have Not" (1944), Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), as the bartender who throws James Stewart out of his tavern, …
Career Milestones
| Executive produced, directed and played offstage voice of forger Floyd Bariscale on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" | ||
| Performed on radio with Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Phil Harris | ||
| Produced and played Danny Thomas's masseur on "Make Room For Daddy"; later played his agent on "The Danny Thomas Show" (1957-64) | ||
| Was guest professor, Syracuse University | ||
1927 | Film debut, "The Overland Stage" | |
1929 | Briefly worked on Wall Street | |
1930 | Appeared on the Broadway stage in "Kiss the Boys Goodbye", "Having Wonderful Time" and "Margin of Error" | |
1939 | Talking film debut, "Another Thin Man" | |
1945 | Credited with story for feature film, "Shadow of Terror" | |
1952 | TV acting debut on "Your Jeweler's Showcase" | |
1955 | TV directing debut, "It's Always Jan" | |
1975 | Starred as Runyonesque gambler-gone-legitmate in short-lived TV series, "Big Eddie" | |
1978 | Played J. Edgar Hoover in feature "The Brink's Job" | |
Awards
1956 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Director-Film Series in Make Room For Daddy |
1957 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Direction-Half Hour or Less in Make Room For Daddy |
1958 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Direction-Half Hour or Less in Make Room For Daddy |
1959 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Direction of a Single Program of a Comedy Series in Make Room For Daddy |
1960 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Comedy in Make Room For Daddy |
1961 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Comedy in Make Room For Daddy |
1966 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Drama in I Spy |
1970 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in My World... and Welcome to It |
1988 | Directors Guild of America Award for Aldrich Award |
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor In a Comedy Series in Cheers |
1995 | Directors Guild of America Award for Honorary Life Member |