Burt Mustin

American actor (1884–1977)

Burton Hill Mustin (February 8, 1884 – January 28, 1977) was an American character actor who appeared in over 150 film and television productions. He also worked in radio and appeared on the stage. Mustin began his professional acting career at the age of 67 after director William Wyler cast him in the 1951 film noir Detective Story. Known for his dependability and versatility, Mustin established a career as a well known character actor and worked extensively in film and television from the 1950s to the 1970s. His last major role was as Arthur Lanson on the CBS sitcom Phyllis, appearing on the show until shortly before his death in early 1977 at the age of 92.

Mustin was born in Pittsburgh to William I. and Sadie (Dorrington) Mustin. His father was a stockbroker. Mustin graduated from Pennsylvania Military College with a degree in civil engineering in 1903. He played first trombone in the band and also played goaltender for the school's ice hockey team in 1902. He was the last surviving member of his 1903 class. He worked as an engineer but later decided to enter sales. In 1916, Mustin began working as a salesman selling Oakland Sensible Sixes, and he later sold luxury air cooled Franklins. After the Franklin company quit selling automobiles in 1934, Mustin sold Mercurys and Lincolns until civilian car production was halted in 1942, during World War II. He then worked as a fiscal agent for the Better Business Bureau and the local chamber of commerce. Before he began a professional career in showbusiness, Mustin acted as an amateur. In 1921, he became the first announcer for a variety show broadcast on Pittsburgh's new KDKA radio station. He appeared in productions as a member of the Pittsburgh Savoyards (a Gilbert and Sullivan troupe) and the Pittsburgh Opera. He was also a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, making his first trip to California in 1925 for a quartet competition in San Francisco. Wyler told Mustin to contact him if he decided to pursue a screen career. Mustin and Smith reprised their roles as "the elderly couple" on a 1972 episode of Rowan & Martin's Laugh In. Mustin guest starred as Jethroe Collins, the son of a victim of Jesse James, who dissuaded Bobby's idolization of the outlaw, in the "Bobby's Hero" episode of The Brady Bunch during the 1972–73 season. The next year, Mustin costarred in the television film version of Miracle on 34th Street, starring Sebastian Cabot, and had an uncredited role in the Disney television film Now You See Him, Now You Don't. Mustin's last continuing role was on the television series Phyllis, in which he played the suitor, and later husband, of Sally "Mother" Dexter, a role he played until shortly before his death.

In addition to his extensive work in television, Mustin also appeared in numerous films. He made his film debut at the age of 67 in Detective Story, in 1951. He followed this with roles in Talk About a Stranger (1952), The Sellout (1952), The Silver Whip (1953), Half a Hero (1953), She Couldn't Say No (1954), The Desperate Hours (1955), Man with the Gun (1955), Storm Center (1956), and The Sheepman (1958). In the 1960s and 1970s, Mustin appeared in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960), Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man (1962), Twilight of Honor (1963), What a Way to Go! (1964), The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964), Sex and the Single Girl (1964), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Cat Ballou (1965) (uncredited as a former gunfighter "Old  Old  ?" ), The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1965), The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967), Speedway (uncredited) (1968), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Great Bank Robbery (1969), Hail, Hero! (1969), and Skin Game (1971). In 1974, Mustin portrayed "Uncle Jeff" in the musical film Mame, starring Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur. He also had a small role in Herbie Rides Again, also released in 1974. The next year, he appeared as "Regent Appleby" in The Strongest Man in the World. His final film role came in 1976 in the Western film Baker's Hawk, starring Clint Walker and Burl Ives.

In 2000 TVLand created a series of commercials celebrating the often seen but little known by name character actors who regularly appeared in their shows, with Mustin being featured in one.

Mustin was one of the 110 original founders of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Lions Club which was established in 1921. He served as one of the presidents and remained active in the club for the remainder of his life.

On January 28, 1977, Mustin died at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California, at the age of 92. Funeral services were held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.