'Laugh-In,' Film Actor Henry Gibson Dies

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 16th 2009 05:25PM

Henry Gibson, the quintessential character actor who played Nazis, priests, drunks and nosy neighbors during a 45-year career that included a stint as an original cast member on 'Laugh-In,' died Monday at his home in Malibu. His son, James, said Gibson died after a brief battle with cancer. He was 73.

Beginning with a role in 'The Nutty Professor' in 1963, Gibson worked steadily until just last year. His big break arrived in 1968 when he began a 3-year stint on 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In,' where each week he would hold a flower and read a poem.

The rest of the 1960s and 1970s were spent working on acclaimed TV shows, including 'Love, American Style,' and more meaty film projects like Robert Altman's 1975 country music opus, 'Nashville,' for which Gibson earned a Golden Globes nomination.

In 1980, he played an Illinois Nazi going after a pair of soul-singing louts in 'The Blues Brothers' and later in the decade played the villainous neighbor in Tom Hanks' hit 'The Burbs.'

Other memorable films include a 'Gremlins' sequel, Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Magnolia,' and most recently a turn as a clergyman who gets an earful from Vince Vaughn in 'Wedding Crashers.'

Until last year, he carried on a recurring role on 'Boston Legal.'

Born James Bateman in Germantown, Pa., Gibson began acting professionally at age 8. He is survived by his wife and three sons.

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Recent Losses in Tinseltown

Patrick Swayze, Sept. 14: The 'Dirty Dancing' star passed away at the age of 57. The actor fought nearly a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Susan Sterner, AP

Deaths in Hollywood

Henry Gibson, Sept. 14: The actor known for roles in 'Blues Brothers,' 'The Burbs' and 'Laugh-In' died at his home in Malibu after battling cancer. He was 73.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Army Archerd, Sept. 8: The iconic entertainment columnist (right) who wrote for Daily Variety for more than 50 years died at the age of 87.

Getty Images

Patrick Swayze, Sept. 14: The 'Dirty Dancing' star passed away at the age of 57. The actor fought nearly a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Susan Sterner, AP

John Hughes, August 6: The filmmaker responsible for iconic '80s movies like 'Pretty in Pink,' 'Sixteen Candles' and 'The Breakfast Club,' suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting New York City.

Paul Natkin, WireImage

Brenda Joyce, July 4: The actress, who played Jane in several 'Tarzan' films with Johnny Weissmuller (pictured in 'Tarzan and the Amazons') and later Lex Barker, died at age 92. Joyce quit showbiz after completing 1949's 'Tarzan's Magic Fountain.' She went on to work for the government.

Everett Collection

Harve Presnell, June 30: The 'Fargo' star succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 75.

Jim Smeal, WireImage

Karl Malden, July 1: The Academy Award-winning actor, known for roles in cinematic milestones 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'On the Waterfront' and for his jump to TV in the 1970s with 'The Streets of San Francisco,' died of natural causes at his home in California. He was 97.

Barry King, WireImage

Mia Farrow's brother, sculptor Patrick Farrow, was found dead in his Vermont art gallery after an unnamed woman made an emergency call. Police have called the death "suspicious."

Getty Images / AP

Shih Kien, June 3: The Hong Kong movie legend, who spent decades playing the enemy in dozens of martial arts films including the Bruce Lee classic 'Enter the Dragon,' has died at age 96.

Television Broadcasts Limited / AP

David Carradine, June 4: The kung fu cult hero with more than 200 movies and TV shows to his credit passed away in his Bangkok hotel room. The 'Kill Bill' actor was 72 years old.

Getty Images

Tags: henry gibson, HenryGibson, obits

Comments

(118)

Thursday 17 September

By RSR

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I also remember Henry Gibson as TV Western Star QUIRT MANLY on The Beverly Hillbillies. A great actor and a fine gentleman who will be missed.

By JakeO

When Hollywood types die there usually stories about their "secret lives" and things that were hidden from the publec. Things that would usually undermine the facades put out by the PR people. Henry Gibson was as he seemed, no glitz, no glitter, no phoney facade, just a good man, a great actor and a comedian that could make a stone laugh. He will be missed. Thank goodness he will be around for generations in the future via reruns and videos. Some people earn their immortality the hard way....they deserve it. Goodbye Henry.

By Dr Paul Watkins

Jim Bateman (henry gibson) was a frequent visitor in my home when we both served in the Air Force in Laon, France back in the late 50's. He honored me with a poem written, off the cuff, in my guest book. I was always going to look him up these past years, but I have waited too long. I'm sorry......Paul Watkins

By Char

I wish they would have Laugh In and Hee Haw in reruns. I loved those shows..

By steve-a-rino

I wish today's "comedians" would learn from Henry Gibson. He made people laugh their heads off and never once used foul, shocking or profane language. That Joan Rivers roast was the worst - nothing but Carlin's "can't say list" over and over like middle school boys home alone. Kathy Griffin and the rest - learn from Henry and all the other Laugh-In pros. It's no longer funny when crudity is all you have.

By Lisa L.

Awww.. how sad! My dad always had Laugh In on Nick at Nite, I think it was, years ago. Even though I was too young to see it when it first aired, I thought the humor was timeless. His bits were some of the best :)

My bad.. it was TV Land.. someone said something about it and reminded me.. :)

By Mike F

WOW. Cancer is taking a lot of GREAT people. As a esphogeal cancer survivor i say any day i wake up is a good day. I will keep him and Mary Travis from Peter Paul and Mary in my heart and prayers

By Charleen

My brother in law worked for Lynn and Fink and Lysol was obne of his big accounts. I had a poem " THE SMELLS OF SUMMER" by Henry Gibson and he would recite it for Lysol spray. I still remember part of it. He was great on Laugh in one of the all time greates shows ever. Gave us Goldie Hawn!

By RALPH

He will be missed. loved all his works. i'm just glad we had the chance to experience such an acomplished actor who made us laugh till we cried.

By melanie

Love American Style and Laugh-In were two of my favorite shows growing up. I remember Henry Gibson well and fondly.
RIP Mr. Gibson and God bless your soul.

By Don

He did a show on Becker whwere he was a civil servant who couldn't help Becker with a problem with homeless people. He had a total hissy fit and was hilarious. He will be missed.

By FORMERIDOLFAN

Arte Johnson is the one who tipped over on his tricycle and was the Nazi in the bushes, NOT Henry Gibson.

By ellen

Henry Gibson's poems were a highlight of Laugh-In. More recently, his work on Boston Legal was outstanding. He was a fantastic actor, no matter what part he played. Most importantly, he made us laugh! What a sad loss for his family and for us all.

By tonedog1

To Jack - You're thinking of Arte Johnson...

By Mike

A genuinely great comic talent. Henry will be truly missed.

By Robert

I remember him from two episodes of Wonder Woman as a very small child. The original high camp movie and an episode called "Screaming Javelins" where he portrayed an obsessed meglomaniac of a fake country after athletes and gold medals. First Bea Arthur, then Farrah Fawcett, now Henry Gibson. It's a shame so many larger than life entertainers from this period have to pass on

By Sprinkle Cookie

I remember his one poem: "Dogs Is Better Than Ants" (by Henry Gibson)

"Dogs is better than ants because you don't have to stoop so low to pet them."

It wasn't a rhyming (sp?) poem, exactly, but it was memorable. (and yes, so was Birdy, birdy...)

And it was Arte Johnson who was the Nazi and the the dirty old man on the park bench ("Want to see my Walnettos?") and the guy on the tricycle who fell over. They were all great, funny folks.

By Julia

I'm so sad. I've had a crush on Henry Gibson since I was a very young child watching him on Laugh-In and have enjoyed his career ever since. He was such a beautiful man and my heart goes out to his family. Know that he'll always be remembered.

By Gabrielle

"A bullmoose is a friend true blue,
He doesn't smoke or drink or chew,
His only hangup's he sniffs glue--
If I were a bullmoose, I would, too."

He did that one in a cute singsongy voice:-)
R.I.P. Mr. Gibson....

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