Paul Langton

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Paul Langton
Paul Langton in Till the Clouds Roll By.jpg
Langton in Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
BornApril 17, 1913
DiedApril 15, 1980 (aged 66)
Alma mater California School of Fine Arts
OccupationActor
SpouseElda Piva

Paul Langton (April 17, 1913 – April 15, 1980) [1] was an American actor perhaps best known for his role as Leslie Harrington on the television series Peyton Place .

Contents

Early years

When Langton was 12 years old he moved from Salt Lake City to San Francisco [2] to be with his father, Ernest Langton, a former vaudevillian who then worked in the mailing department of the San Francisco Examiner. He attended Lowell High School [3] and the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. [4] He worked in the press rooms of The Salt Lake Telegram and the Examiner to finance his education. [5]

Career

Langton's early stage experience included acting in productions of the Mountain Play Association in California [6] and the Pasadena Playhouse. [5] In 1950 he portrayed Biff in a touring company of Death of a Salesman . [2] He performed on Broadway in Harbor Lights (1956). [7]

Making his movie bow in 1941, Langton became a contract player at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, frequently appearing in war films. Later, Langton was seen in character parts or supporting roles in such films as The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957). He also was a voice actor on Lux Radio Theatre from 1942 to 1954.[ citation needed ]

Langton began appearing on television in 1951 in a series called The Web. [8] His first regular role was that of Walter Dennis on the daytime series The Brighter Day . [9] He also made five guest appearances on Perry Mason from 1958 to 1962, three of which were as prosecuting attorneys. But it was the role of Leslie Harrington on the prime time serial Peyton Place (1964–68) [9] :828–829 that finally gave him a level of stardom. After he was written out of the series, he appeared in half a dozen other programs including It Takes a Thief (1968), Ironside (TV series) and, in his final role, Emergency! , before retiring due to ill health.

Personal life and death

Langton was married to Elda Piva. [3] He died in Burbank, California on April 15, 1980, aged 65. [10] Langton was a Mormon. [11]

Filmography

Films
YearTitleRoleNotes
1943 We've Never Been Licked Naval OfficerUncredited
First Comes Courage Minor RoleUncredited
The Cross of Lorraine French SoldierUncredited
Destination Tokyo 'Copperfin' Crewman / BarberUncredited
1944 Marriage Is a Private Affair SoldierUncredited
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo Captain 'Ski' York
The Thin Man Goes Home Tom ClayworthUncredited
Dark Shadows[ citation needed ]Peter Selkin, SuspectShort crime drama film unrelated to later supernatural TV series; uncredited
Gentle Annie Violet Goss
1945 This Man's Navy Minor RoleUncredited
The Hidden Eye Barry Gifford
Purity SquadMr. WinthropShort film, Uncredited
What Next, Corporal Hargrove? Captain Drake
They Were Expendable Ensign 'Andy' Andrews
1946Magic on a StickJohn WalkerShort film, Uncredited
The Hoodlum Saint Bit Part(scenes deleted)
Courage of Lassie Minor RoleUncredited
Till the Clouds Roll By Oscar Hammerstein II Fictionalized M-G-M musical biopic of composer Jerome Kern
1947 My Brother Talks to Horses Mr. Gillespie
The Sea of Grass Young DoctorUncredited
The Romance of Rosy Ridge Tom Yeary
For You I Die Johnny Coulter
1948 Fighting Back Nick Sanders
A Song Is Born Joe
Trouble Preferred Ed Poole
1953 Big Leaguer Brian McLennan
Jack Slade Dan Traver
1954 Return from the Sea Lieutenant Commander Frank Manley
The Snow Creature Dr. Frank Parrish
1955Dr. Harvey W. Wiley[ citation needed ]Harvey W. WileyTV movie; episode of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Murder Is My Beat Ray Patrick
To Hell and Back Colonel Howe
The Big Knife Buddy Bliss
1957 Utah Blaine Rip Coker
The Incredible Shrinking Man Charlie Carey
Calypso Heat Wave Mack Adams
Chicago Confidential Police Captain Jake Parker
1958 Girl in the Woods Luke Plummer
It! The Terror from Beyond Space Lieutenant James Calder
1959 The Cosmic Man Colonel Matthews
Invisible Invaders Lieutenant General Stone
The Last Angry Man Jack VickeryUncredited
1960 The Big Night Spencer
Three Came to Kill Agent Ben Scanlon
1963 Dime with a Halo Mr. Jones
Twilight of Honor Air Force Sergeant KellyUncredited
4 for Texas Beauregard
1964 Man's Favorite Sport? Jim SternUncredited
Advance to the Rear Major ForsytheUncredited
Shock Treatment Judge KnoxUncredited
Youngblood Hawke Glenn HawkeUncredited
TV series
YearTitleRoleNote
1951 Tales of Tomorrow Season 1 Episode 7: "The Monsters"
1951–1954 Danger Season 1 Episode 46: "Goodbye, Hannah" (1951)

Season 2 Episode 4: "Sleep and Tell" (1951)

Season 2 Episode 5: "Inherit Murder" (1951)

Season 2 Episode 15: "Passage for Christmas" (1951)

Season 2 Episode 33: "Border Incident" (1952)

Season 4 Episode 20: "In Line of Duty" (1954)

Suspense Winters / Dave DelaneySeason 3 Episode 41: "The Call" (1951)

Season 3 Episode 46: "Tent on the Beach" (1951)

Season 4 Episode 10: "Frisco Payoff" (1951) as Winters

Season 4 Episode 14: "Pier 17" (1951) as Dave Delaney

Season 4 Episode 44: "Death Cargo" (1952)

Season 6 Episode 22: "Death on the Screen" (1954)

The Web Season 1 Episode 48: "Cops Must Be Tough" (1951)

Season 1 Episode 59: "The Edge of Terror" (1951)

Season 2 Episode 15: "Sentence of Death" (1952)

Season 2 Episode 25: "The Phantom of the Bridge" (1952)

Season 2 Episode 31: "Prelude to Murder" (1952)

Season 4 Episode 35: "Brush-Off" (1954)

1951–1956 Kraft Television Theatre Season 5 Episode 4: "Irish Eyes" (1951)

Season 7 Episode 27: "Two Weeks in the Country" (1954)

Season 9 Episode 42: "Babies for Sale" (1956)

1952 Armstrong Circle Theatre Season 2 Episode 30: "Troubled Sands"
CBS Television Workshop Season 1 Episode 14: "Rainy Day on Paradise Junction"
Goodyear Television Playhouse Season 1 Episode 17: "The Lantern Copy"

Season 1 Episode 21: "The Trial of Steven Kent"

The Doctor Season 1 Episode 4: "The Baker Story"

Season 1 Episode 17: "Marti"

1952–1953 Chevron Theatre Mark TraceySeason 1 Episode 50: "My Brother's Wife" (1952)

Season 2 Episode 1: "Island of Stone" (1953) as Mark Tracey

Season 2 Episode 3: "The Beautiful Miss X" (1953)

Season 2 Episode 24: "The Worried Man" (1953)

1952–1955 Studio One (1) Marsh Huddleston
(2) Mike Barnaby
(3) John Temple
Season 5 Episode 1: "The Kill" (1952) as (1)

Season 6 Episode 20: "Herman, Come by Bomber" (1954) as (2)

Season 7 Episode 22: "The Broken Spur" (1955) as (3)

1953 Fireside Theatre BenSeason 6 Episode 8: "Phantom of the Bridge"
Your Jeweler's Showcase Charlie HarrisSeason 1 Episode 20: "Cell 14"
1953–1955 The Ford Television Theatre Dr. Chuck Kennedy
Frank Johnson
Season 1 Episode 35: "The Jewel" (1953) as Dr. Chuck Kennedy

Season 2 Episode 26: "The Taming of the Shrewd" (1954)

Season 3 Episode 6: "The Road Ahead" (1954)

Season 4 Episode 4: "Twelve to Eternity" (1955) as Frank Johnson

Letter to Loretta (1) Fred Broc
(2) Roy
(3) Norvil Knox
(4) Johnny Ames
(5) Mark Hodges
Season 1 Episode 4: "Girl on a Flagpole" (1953) as (1)

Season 1 Episode 6: "Earthquake" (1953) as (2)

Season 1 Episode 18: "Secret Answer" (1954) as (3)

Season 2 Episode 4: "The Lamp" (1954) as (4)

Season 3 Episode 14: "A Pattern of Deceit" (1955) as (5)

1954 Cavalcade of America Captain Joshua PattenSeason 2 Episode 32: "The Skipper's Lady"
The Public Defender Gil WellsSeason 1 Episode 16: "Youth Crime Ring"
The Lone Wolf SteberSeason 1 Episode 15: "The Las Vegas Story"
1954–1955 The Lone Ranger Clay Trowbridge
Regis Bassett
Season 4 Episode 1: "The Fugitive" (1954) as Clay Trowbridge

Season 4 Episode 51: "Counterfeit Redskins" (1955) as Regis Bassett

1954–1957 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1) Mal Martin
(2) Landry
(3) Cochran
(4) Pete Hunter
(5) Stacey Harris
Season 3 Episode 45: "Rabbit Foot" (1954) as (1)

Season 4 Episode 18: "The Cool One" (1955) as (2)

Season 4 Episode 37: "Sentence of Death" (1955) as (3)

Season 5 Episode 26: "The Waiting House" (1956) as (4)

Season 7 Episode 5: "Smarty" (1957) as (5)

1955 The Whistler MaxSeason 1 Episode 19: "Sleep My Pretty One"
Damon Runyon Theater Barney ReardonSeason 1 Episode 4: "The Lacework Kid"
City Detective PhilipSeason 2 Episode 30: "Case of the Beautiful Miss X"
Treasury Men in Action Scottie BarrowSeason 5 Episode 35: "The Case of the Perfect Gentleman"
Front Row Center Douglas ProctorSeason 1 Episode 9: "Guest in the House"
Celebrity Playhouse Cowie ThomasSeason 1 Episode 3: "Showdown at San Pablo"
Four Star Playhouse Garry AnchorSeason 4 Episode 3: "Let the Chips Fall"
Frontier Fred GrahamSeason 1 Episode 7: "King of the Dakotas, Part 1"
1955–1956 Lux Video Theatre Carl / MatthewsSeason 5 Episode 45: "Last Year's Snow" (1955) as Carl

Season 6 Episode 18: "Witness to Murder" (1956) as Matthews

1955–1959 The Millionaire John 'Jack' Martin
Dr. Ralph Spencer
Season 1 Episode 16: "The Jack Martin Story" (1955) as John 'Jack' Martin

Season 5 Episode 28: "Millionaire Henry Banning" (1959) as Dr. Ralph Spencer

1956 Navy Log Tim LansingSeason 1 Episode 36: "Night Landing"
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Arthur SummersSeason 2 Episode 2: "Fog Closing In"
1956–1958 Matinee Theatre Paul McLean
Matt
Season 1 Episode 121: "In Dread of Winter" (1956)

Season 2 Episode 13: "A Question of Balance" (1956) as Paul McLean

Season 2 Episode 112: "Voyage to Mandok" (1957)

Season 3 Episode 88: "Cave-In" (1958) as Matt

Season 3 Episode 128: "Walk the Sky" (1958)

Season 3 Episode 160: "Course for Collision" (1958)

1957 The Gray Ghost Gabe TraversSeason 1 Episode 11: "The Rescue"
The Restless Gun Adam RobieSeason 1 Episode 3: "Revenge at Harness Creek"
Telephone Time Dr. Samuel RinehartSeason 3 Episode 13: "Novel Appeal"
Code 3 Tim HayesSeason 1 Episode 38: "Sunset Strip"
1957–1958 Broken Arrow Colonel HornSeason 2 Episode 10: "Renegades Return" (1957)

Season 2 Episode 18: "Massacre" (1958)

1957–1959 State Trooper Hal Denton
Charles Medford
Season 1 Episode 12: "The Cash Out" (1957) as Hal Denton

Season 3 Episode 2: "The Trap that Jack Built" (1959) as Charles Medford

1958 M Squad Van WertSeason 1 Episode 16: "The Cover-Up"
Mike Hammer Frank Beulah
Lew Fallon
Season 1 Episode 3: "Hot Hands, Cold Dice" as Frank Beulah

Season 1 Episode 29: "Four Blind Mice" as Lew Fallon

The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen Police Lieutenant Peter MaasSeason 1 Episode 6: "Cat of Many Tails"
Lawman Matt SaintSeason 1 Episode 9: "Bloodline"
Playhouse 90 Paul NewtonSeason 3 Episode 10: "Free Weekend"
Steve Canyon Major MartinSeason 1 Episode 12: "Pilot Error"
1958–1961 Gunsmoke Major Evans
Killion
Rob Curtin
Season 4 Episode 3: "Gunsmuggler" (1958) as Major Evans

Season 5 Episode 15: "Tag, You're It" (1959) as Killion

Season 6 Episode 34: "The Imposter" (1961) as Rob Curtin

1958–1962 Wagon Train Father Martin
Ralph Morse
Season 2 Episode 2: "The Juan Ortega Story" (1958) as Father Martin

Season 5 Episode 30: "The Terry Morrell Story" (1962) as Ralph Morse

Perry Mason (1) Harry Vance
(2) Simon Atley
(3) & (5) Deputy District Attorney Bertram Telford
(4) Prosecutor Green
Season 1 Episode 24: "The Case of the Deadly Double" (1958) as (1)

Season 3 Episode 8: "The Case of the Bartered Bikini" (1959) as (2)

Season 4 Episode 6: "The Case of the Wandering Widow" (1960) as (3)

Season 4 Episode 22: "The Case of the Cowardly Lion" (1961) as (4)

Season 5 Episode 27: "The Case of the Counterfeit Crank" (1962) as (5)

1959 The Lineup Season 5 Episode 16: "The Frederick Freemont Case"
Zane Grey Theater Tom LamontSeason 3 Episode 20: "Deadfall"
Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond Mr. GarrickSeason 1 Episode 8: "Premonition"
The Rough Riders RudabaughSeason 1 Episode 32: "Forty-Five Caliber Law"
Men Into Space Major Dr. WarneckeSeason 1 Episode 4: "Water Tank Rescue"

Season 1 Episode 12: "Christmas on the Moon"

1959–1963 The Twilight Zone Doctor / GeorgeSeason 1 Episode 1: "Where Is Everybody?" (series pilot) (1959) as Doctor

Season 4 Episode 16: "On Thursday We Leave for Home" (1963) as George

1960 Tightrope Lieutenant HarknessSeason 1 Episode 17: "Night of the Gun"
Markham Lieutenant GrombySeason 1 Episode 31: "Sing a Song of Murder"
Hawaiian Eye John O'NeilSeason 1 Episode 19: "Hong Kong Passage"
Tales of Wells Fargo Frisbee / Leo SummersSeason 4 Episode 30: "Trading Post" as Frisbee

Season 5 Episode 11: "Jeff Davis' Treasure" as Leo Summers

Law of the Plainsman Sergeant Sean McGrathSeason 1 Episode 29: "Cavern of the Wind"
Not for Hire SaundersSeason 1 Episode 30: "The General's Daughter"
Rawhide Henry J. PorterSeason 2 Episode 30: "Incident of the Silent Web"
Shotgun Slade Convict #1Season 1 Episode 36: "A Flower on Boot Hill"
The Chevy Mystery Show Dr. Walter HalseySeason 1 Episode 3: "The Summer Hero"
Bat Masterson MarshalSeason 3 Episode 1: "Debt of Honor"
1960–1962 The Untouchables Bob Wheaton
Carleton Edmunds
Season 1 Episode 22: "The White Slavers" as Bob Wheaton

Season 4 Episode 11: "The Floyd Gibbons Story" as Carleton Edmunds

1961 National Velvet Reg TollandSeason 1 Episode 19: "The Colt"
Laramie SheriffSeason 2 Episode 16: "Killer Without Cause"
The Brothers Brannagan Frankie LyonsSeason 1 Episode 17: "Overexposed"
Lassie Sergeant NolanSeason 7 Episode 22: "The Patriot"
Tallahassee 7000 ToddSeason 1 Episode 7: "The Violent Night"
Adventures in Paradise Dr. Stan SandholmSeason 2 Episode 21: "Angel of Death"
The Roaring 20's Lieutenant Michael CareySeason 1 Episode 20: "War with the Nighthawkers"
Cheyenne Clairmont SheriffSeason 6 Episode 4: "The Young Fugitives"
Checkmate The ArchitectSeason 2 Episode 9: "The Two of Us"
77 Sunset Strip Mark EvansSeason 4 Episode 15: "The Chrome Coffin"
1962 Ripcord HaneySeason 1 Episode 34: "Log Jam"
Bus Stop Bob PearsonSeason 1 Episode 15: "Summer Lightning"
Alcoa Premiere SullivanSeason 1 Episode 26: "A Place to Hide"
The Eleventh Hour Assistant District Attorney Walter MaylieSeason 1 Episode 7: "Angie, You Made My Heart Stop"
Mister Ed Frank GordonSeason 3 Episode 12: "Wilbur the Masher"
The Brighter Day Walter DennisUnknown episode
1963 Dr. Kildare Dr. Tab LambSeason 2 Episode 14: "Love is a Sad Song"
The Virginian BartlettSeason 1 Episode 18: "Say Goodbye to All That"
The Fugitive SheriffSeason 1 Episode 10: "Fatso"
1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre Sheriff Johnny KyleSeason 1 Episode 11: "The Deep End"
The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters BeaufoySeason 1 Episode 21: "The Day of the Lame Duck"
1964-1968 Peyton Place Leslie Harrington219 episodes
1968 The Outcasts Gregg JeremySeason 1 Episode 3: "Three Ways to Die"
It Takes a Thief Preston WashburneSeason 2 Episode 11: "Glass Riddle"
1970 The Immortal Walter HillerSeason 1 Episode 1: "Sylvia"
1971 Ironside JudgeSeason 4 Episode 24: "Lesson in Terror"
My Three Sons Father O'HaraSeason 12 Episode 12: "The Sound of Music"
1972 Emergency! Myron GilmoreSeason 1 Episode 2: "Botulism" (final appearance)

Notes

  1. Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (2012). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 249. ISBN   9781476602875 . Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 Rickert, Ruth (January 20, 1950). "Salt Laker Scores on Stage" . The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 22. Retrieved August 30, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "Paul Langton Started at Lowell". The San Francisco Examiner. California, San Francisco. March 9, 1947. p. 138. Retrieved 31 August 2019 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "'Salesman' Cast Enjoys Its Hobbies". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. August 13, 1950. p. Part IV – 4. Retrieved May 5, 2018 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 "Paul Langton Takes Demanding Role in Play Due at Fox" . Santa Barbara News-Press. September 6, 1950. p. 10. Retrieved August 30, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Mountain Play Casting Is Now On". San Anselmo Herald. California, San Anselmo. April 11, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved May 5, 2018 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. "Paul Langton". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  8. Performers' Television Credits, 1948–2000
  9. 1 2 Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 136. ISBN   978-0-7864-6477-7.
  10. "Paul Langton" . The Muscatine Journal. Classic Images. June 28, 1980. p. 46. Retrieved August 30, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Biographies: Latter-day Saint and/or Utah Film Personalities: L". www.ldsfilm.com.

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