Alvin Greenman was an American actor, dialogue coach, and script supervisor who had a long and varied career in show business. He is best known for his role as Alfred, the janitor who befriended Santa Claus in the 1947 classic film Miracle on 34th Street. He died on July 14, 2016, at the age of 86, in Simi Valley, California.
Early Life and Career
Greenman was born on January 18, 1930, in Manhattan, New York, to George and Blanche Greenman. He started acting in community theater, where he was spotted by a talent scout for Fox. He landed his first film role in Miracle on 34th Street, where he shared scenes with Edmund Gwenn, who won an Oscar for playing Santa. Greenman later recalled that Gwenn taught him how to act and listen to other actors, while the director George Seaton was very kind and helpful.
Greenman also became friends with the other stars of the film, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Natalie Wood, who invited him to their homes when the production moved to California. He kept in touch with Wood until her death in 1981.
Other Roles and Behind-the-Scenes Work
After Miracle on 34th Street, Greenman continued to act in movies, mostly in war films, where he was often typecast as “the sad sack of the outfit”. Some of his credits include Twelve O’Clock High, The Frogmen, and The Desert Rats. He also appeared in TV shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, and The Andy Griffith Show.
When his acting roles dried up, Greenman moved behind the camera, working as a script supervisor and a dialogue coach. He specialized in teaching New York accents to actors, and worked with directors such as Robert Aldrich, John Frankenheimer, and Sidney Lumet. He retired from the industry about a decade ago.
Legacy and Death
Greenman was proud of his role in Miracle on 34th Street, which became a holiday staple and a beloved classic. He attended many screenings and reunions of the film, and shared his memories and anecdotes with fans. He also wrote a book about his experience, called 34th & First: The Miracle on 34th Street Story.
Greenman died on July 14, 2016, in Simi Valley, California, where he lived with his wife, Patricia. He was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife, his son, his daughter, and his grandchildren.
According to Find a Grave, Greenman was a “nice Jewish boy from New York” who landed a role, met Santa, and made good. He will be remembered as a part of one of the most beloved films of all time, and as a versatile and talented professional in the entertainment industry.
