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American radio actor (1912–1963) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louis Dilman Merrill (April 1, 1912 – April 7, 1963) was an American actor, who worked primarily in radio from the 1930s through the 1950s.
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Lou Merrill | |
|---|---|
Cropped Photo of Lou Merrill | |
| Born | Louis Dilman Merrill April 1, 1912 |
| Died | April 7, 1963 (aged 51) Los Angeles, California, U.S |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Narrator |
| Years active | 1937–1963 |
| Spouse | Celeste Rush |
| Children | 2 adopted daughters |
Lou Merill was born on April 1, 1912, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada., and moved to the United States when he was young. He acted in stock theater and little theater before going to radio.[1]
Merrill began working in radio in 1928.[1] He performed in Lux Radio Theater as a utility supporting player in nearly every broadcast from 1937 to 1939 (notably as Sleepy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), and also served as an assistant director handling the crowd scenes during that time. He continued to work the show sporadically until 1953. His career in the 1930s also included roles in the children's Christmas series The Cinnamon Bear (as Santa Claus), the crime drama Big Town (as various gangsters and a stand-in for Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson), the soap opera Those We Love (as con man Ed Neely), and The Mickey Mouse Theater of the Air. He later worked for Arch Oboler on Arch Oboler's Plays and Lights Out. As related by Mr. Oboler on the Speaking of Radio show (1976), in one dramatic real-life confrontation, Mr. Oboler broke his hand on Mr. Merrill's jaw when the former became incensed over the latter's offensive attitude. A mutual respect resulted from the incident.
In 1941, he starred as the Nemo-like Captain Craig McKenzie in the now mostly lost sci-fi radio series Latitude Zero (on which the 1969 film of the same name is based).[citation needed] Tweelve years later, he starred on the true crime anthology drama series Crime Classics. Merrill played Thomas Hyland, the host and narrator who was fascinated with crime.[1] Radio comedy appearances included Point Sublime (a regular as jeweler Aaron Saul) and Abbott and Costello (guesting as Santa Claus) and the Life of Riley as Punchy (a punch drunk ex-prize fighter). He also appeared on Escape, The Man Called X, Suspense, NBC University Theater, On Stage, The CBS Radio Workshop, Rogue's Gallery, and The Six Shooter.
Merrill was the narrator for Retribution, a "psychological mystery series."[2]
Merrill first appeared in film with the 1935 Columbia Pictures production The Black Room; he played the Story Teller in Trailer, though he was left uncredited. His formal debut in movies came in the 1939 Universal Studios production Tropic Fury.[3] He appeared sporadically in films throughout the next three decades, often in small roles along with several uncredited appearances.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | The Black Room | Story Teller in Trailer | Uncredited |
| 1938 | Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars | Dr. Metz | Serial, Uncredited |
| 1939 | Tropic Fury | Porthos Scipio | |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Police | Lesure | |
| 1941 | New Wine | Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1942 | Reap the Wild Wind | Captain of the 'Pelican' | |
| 1943 | Hangmen Also Die! | Industrialist | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Passport to Suez | Mr. Rembrandt | Uncredited |
| 1947 | The Lady from Shanghai | Jake Bjornsen | |
| 1950 | The Next Voice You Hear... | Radio announcer | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1951 | Cause for Alarm! | Mr. Phillips | Voice, Uncredited |
| 1951 | Sirocco | Egyptian | Uncredited |
| 1951 | The Family Secret | Reporter | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Confidentially Connie | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Fort Ti | Raoul de Moreau | Uncredited |
| 1953 | The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd | Lord Bellmore | Serial, [Chs. 1, 13–15], Uncredited |
| 1954 | Charge of the Lancers | Col. Zeansky | |
| 1954 | Phantom of the Rue Morgue | Pedestrian | Uncredited |
| 1954 | The Iron Glove | Count DuLusac | |
| 1954 | Sabaka | Koobah | |
| 1955 | Duel on the Mississippi | Georges Gabriel | |
| 1955 | The Crooked Web | Herr Schmitt | |
| 1955 | The Fighting Chance | Sammy | Uncredited |
| 1957 | The Giant Claw | Pierre Broussard | |
| 1961 | The Devil at 4 O'Clock | Aristide Giraud |
Merrill occasionally appeared on television, in episodes of such programs as Oboler Comedy Theater, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, I Love Lucy, The Lineup, Colt .45, Sugarfoot, The Millionaire, This Man Dawson, Shirley Temple's Storybook, Angel, and King of Diamonds.
In his later years, Merrill continued doing voice-over work, regularly doing film trailer narration work for American International Pictures. Merrill narrated trailers for films such as It Conquered the World, I Was a Teenage Werewolf, War of the Colossal Beast, Teenage Cave Man, Night of the Blood Beast, A Bucket of Blood, Horrors of the Black Museum, The Angry Red Planet, Master of the World, and Burn, Witch, Burn.
Merrill was married to actress Celeste Rush. They had two adopted daughters.[4] Merrill died on April 7, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, aged 51. He is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[citation needed]
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