Harold J. Stone was a prolific American actor who appeared in numerous stage, film, and television productions. He was known for his versatile roles, often playing villains or authority figures. He worked with some of the most acclaimed directors and actors of his time, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Humphrey Bogart, and Kirk Douglas. He died on November 18, 2005, at the age of 92, from natural causes. Here is a brief overview of his life and career, as well as the details of his death.
Early Life and Stage Career
Harold J. Stone was born as Harold Hochstein on March 3, 1913, in New York City. He came from a Jewish acting family and made his stage debut at the age of six with his father, Jacob Hochstein, in the play White Slaves. He graduated from New York University and attended the University of Buffalo to study medicine, but he changed his career plans and decided to become an actor to support his mother. [according to Wikipedia]
He gained considerable acting experience in various plays during the 1930s and finally made his Broadway debut in 1939. He appeared in several critically acclaimed productions, such as One Touch of Venus and Stalag 17. He also directed some off-Broadway and Broadway shows, such as Ernest in Love and Charley’s Aunt. [according to Wikipedia]
Film and Television
Stone made his film debut in the Alan Ladd film noir classic The Blue Dahlia in 1946. He then went on to work in small but memorable roles in films such as The Harder They Fall with Humphrey Bogart, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Wrong Man, Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Garment Jungle, The Invisible Boy, Spartacus, The Chapman Report, X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Girl Happy, The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (as Frank Nitti), The Big Mouth, the Danish film The Olsen Gang in a Fix, The Seven Minutes, Mitchell, and Hardly Working. He appeared in about 30 films in total. [according to Wikipedia and Find a Grave]
By 1949, Stone began to work increasingly on television, as well as in films. He co-starred on the short-lived live television sitcom The Hartmans and performed as Jake Goldberg in the comedy-drama The Goldbergs and as Lieutenant Hauser in the crime series The Walter Winchell File. He also appeared in many popular shows, such as Cheyenne, Grand Jury, Target: The Corruptors!, The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, Hogan’s Heroes, Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, The Rockford Files, and Barney Miller. He had a recurring role as Sam Steinberg in the sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. He retired from acting in 1986. [according to Wikipedia and Hogan’s Heroes Fandom]
Personal Life and Death
Stone was married twice and had three children. His first wife was Jean, who died in 1960. They had two sons, Robert and Peter. His second wife was Miriam, whom he married in 1962. They had one daughter, Francine. Stone was a devoted family man and enjoyed playing golf and bridge. [according to Wikipedia and IMDb]
Stone died on November 18, 2005, at the age of 92, from natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Retirement Home in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles. He was buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who left a lasting impression on the audiences. [according to Wikipedia and Find a Grave]
