Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

January 26, 1905

Died

July 9, 2007 (age 102)

Place of Birth

San Francisco, California, USA

Also Known As

Charles Gerstle Levison

Charles L. Lane

Charlie Lane

Charles Levinson

Charles Levison

IMDb

Charles Lane

Biography

Charles Lane (born Charles Gerstle Levison; January 26, 1905 – July 9, 2007) was an American character actor and centenarian whose career spanned 77 years. Lane gave his last performance at the age of 101 as a narrator in 2006. Lane appeared in many Frank Capra films, including You Can't Take It With You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Riding High (1950). He was a favored supporting actor of Lucille Ball, who often used him as a no-nonsense authority figure and comedic foe of her scatterbrained TV character on her TV series I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour and The Lucy Show. His first film of more than 250 was as a hotel clerk in Smart Money (1931) starring Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Filmography

2006TVLegendsas Roy (archive footage) (uncredited)2005FilmThe History of Hootervilleas Self 2003TVTV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV 1995FilmThe Computer Wore Tennis Shoesas Regent Yarborough 1994FilmA Bewitched Christmasas Jesse Mortimer 1993FilmActing on Impulseas Bellhop 1991TVDark Shadowsas Antique Dealer 1990TVShannon's Deal 1987FilmDate with an Angelas Father O'Shea 1986FilmWhen the Bough Breaksas Van der Graaf 1986TVL.A. Lawas Walter Graf 1985FilmMurphy's Romanceas Amos Abbott 1985TVThe Comedy Factoryas George McCloskey 1985TVOtherworldas Velcrows Widley 1984TVHunteras Motel Owner 1983FilmSunset Limousineas Reinhammer 1983FilmStrange Invadersas Prof. Hollister 1983TVThe Winds of Waras William Standley 1982TVSt. Elsewhereas Richard Welte 1982TVThe Devlin Connection 1981FilmStrange Behavioras Donovan 1981FilmThe Return of the Beverly Hillbilliesas Chief 1980FilmThe Little Dragonsas J.J.1978FilmMovie Movieas Judge / Mr. Pennington 1978TVMork & Mindy 1977TVLou Grant 1977TVSoapas Judge Petrillo 1977TVWeekend Special 1976TVSybilas Dr. Quinoness 1975TVOne Day at a Time 1975FilmLong Way Home 1975TVThe Family Holvak 1975TVKaren 1974TVChico and the Man 1974TVLittle House on the Prairie 1974TVRhoda 1973TVAdam's Ribas Mayor 1973FilmHitchedas Round Tree 1972TVThe Sandy Duncan Show 1972TVMaude 1972TVTemperatures Risingas Fulton Briggs 1972TVThe Rookies 1972FilmGet to Know Your Rabbitas Mr. Beeman 1972FilmThe Great Man's Whiskersas Philbrick 1970FilmThe Aristocatsas Lawyer (voice)1970TVThe Odd Coupleas Sid 1970TVNanny and the Professor 1969FilmMy Dog, the Thiefas Mr. Pfeiffer 1969TVThe Debbie Reynolds Show 1968TVThe Doris Day Showas Judge Carter 1968FilmWhat's So Bad About Feeling Good?as Dr. Shapiro 1967TVJudd, for the Defense 1967TVThe Flying Nun 1967TVHe & Sheas Mr. Simpson 1967FilmThe Gnome-Mobileas Dr. Scoggins 1966TVLove on a Rooftop 1966TVThe Pruitts of Southamptonas Maxwell 1966FilmThe Ugly Dachshundas Judge 1966FilmThe Ghost and Mr. Chickenas Whitlow 1965FilmBillieas Coach Jones 1965TVGet Smartas Uncle Abner 1965TVThe Wild Wild Westas Roger Creed 1965TVHoney Westas Ash 1965TVGreen Acresas Mr. Wilson 1965TVF Troop 1965TVPlease Don't Eat the Daisiesas Man 1965FilmJohn Goldfarb, Please Come Home!as Editor 1964TVGomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.as Charlie 1964TVThe Munsters 1964TVThe Cara Williams Show 1964TVThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.as Ralph Harrison 1964TVBewitchedas Mr. Cushman 1964TVWendy and Me 1964TVThe Bing Crosby Show 1964FilmRendezvous in Spaceas Interviewee 1964FilmLooking for Loveas Director 1964FilmGood Neighbor Samas Jack Bailey 1964FilmThe New Internsas Connors 1964FilmThe Carpetbaggersas Eugene Denby 1963FilmThe Wheeler Dealersas Judge (uncredited)1963FilmIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Worldas Airport Manager 1963TVBob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatreas Charles Eckhardt 1963TVPetticoat Junctionas Homer Bedloe 1963TVThe Bill Dana Show 1963TVBurke's Lawas Dr. Lusk 1963TVThe Farmer's Daughter 1963FilmPapa's Delicate Conditionas Mr. Cosgrove 1962TVThe Lucy Showas Mr. Barnsdahl 1962TVMr. Smith Goes to Washington 1962TVThe Beverly Hillbilliesas Foster Phinney 1962FilmThe Music Manas Constable 1961TVThe New Bob Cummings Show 1961TVThe Wonderful World of Disney 1961FilmAlcatraz Express 1961TVMister Ed 1960TVSurfside 6 1960TVThe Andy Griffith Showas Mr. Frisby 1960TVGuestward, Ho!1960TVPete and Gladys 1960TVThe Tab Hunter Show 1960TVThe Comedy Spot 1959TVThe Untouchablesas Alcatraz Official (uncredited)1959TVDennis the Menace 1959TVThe Twilight Zoneas Mr. Peckinpaugh 1959TVThe Many Loves of Dobie Gillis 1959TVThe DuPont Show with June Allysonas Dr. Shelley 1959TVFibber McGee & Mollyas Salesman 1959FilmBut Not for Meas Al Atwood 1959FilmThe 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rockas Standard Bates 1959FilmThe Mating Gameas Inspector General Bigelow 1958TV77 Sunset Strip 1958TVWestinghouse Desilu Playhouse 1958TVThe Ann Sothern Show 1958TVLawman 1958TVThe Donna Reed Show 1958FilmTeacher's Petas Roy 1957TVThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Houras Claims Clerk (uncredited)1957TVThe Real McCoys 1957TVThe Restless Gunas Mayor Peter Mercer 1957TVMaverickas Proprietor 1957TVPerry Masonas Dr. Williams 1957TVThe Thin Man 1957TVBachelor Father 1957FilmGod Is My Partneras Judge Warner 1957TVRichard Diamond, Private Detectiveas Lt. Kevin Anders (uncredited)1957TVWhirlybirds 1956TVThe Gale Storm Showas Pierce 1956TVOn Trial 1956FilmThe Birds and the Beesas Charlie Jenkins 1955TVThe People's Choice 1955TVScreen Director's Playhouse 1955TVStar Stage 1955TVThe Millionaireas Simon Whipple 1954TVThe Wonderful World of Disneyas Mr. Pfeiffer 1954TVStudio 57as Henry 1954TVWilly 1954TVDear Phoebeas Mr. Fosdick 1953TVTopperas Mr. Kittler 1953FilmThe Affairs of Dobie Gillisas Prof. Obispo 1953FilmRemains to Be Seenas Delapp 1953FilmThe Juggleras Rosenberg 1952FilmThe Sniperas Loud Drunk at Club 1952TVTodayas Self 1951TVI Love Lucyas Mr. Stanley 1951FilmHere Comes the Groomas FBI Agent Ralph Burchard (uncredited)1951FilmCriminal Lawyeras Frederick Waterman 1951FilmI Can Get It for You Wholesaleas Herman Pulvermacher (uncredited)1950FilmThe Second Faceas Mr. Westcott 1950TVLux Video Theatreas Walter Medford 1950FilmRiding Highas Erickson 1950FilmThe Yellow Cab Manas L.A. Casualty Co. Executive (uncredited)1950FilmBackfireas Dr. Nolan (uncredited)1949FilmMiss Grant Takes Richmondas Mr. Woodruff (uncredited)1949FilmThe House Across the Streetas Apartment Manager (uncredited)1949FilmYou're My Everythingas Mr. Eddie Pflum 1949FilmMighty Joe Youngas Producer (uncredited)1948FilmThe Boy with Green Hair 1948FilmMoonriseas Mr. Chandler 1948FilmApartment for Peggyas Prof. Collins (uncredited)1948FilmOut of the Stormas Mr. Evans 1948FilmRace Streetas Switchboard Operator Clerk (uncredited)1948FilmThe Gentleman from Nowhereas Fenmore 1948FilmState of the Unionas Blink Moran 1948FilmSmart Womanas Reporter 1948FilmCall Northside 777as Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)1947FilmIntrigueas Hotel Desk Clerk 1947FilmLouisianaas McCormack 1947FilmRoses Are Redas Lipton 1947FilmBury Me Deadas Brighton 1947FilmLiving in a Big Wayas Hawkins (uncredited)1947FilmIt Happened on Fifth Avenueas Landlord (uncredited)1946FilmIt's a Wonderful Lifeas Real Estate Salesman 1946FilmThe Invisible Informeras Nick Steele 1946FilmMysterious Intruderas Detective Burns 1946FilmJust Before Dawnas Dr. Steiner (uncredited)1946FilmA Close Call for Boston Blackieas Hack Hagen (uncredited)1944FilmArsenic and Old Laceas Reporter at Marriage License Office 1943FilmMission to Moscowas Man in Kitchenin Montage (uncredited)1942FilmFlying Tigersas Repkin (uncredited)1942FilmPardon My Sarongas Bus Company Superintendent (uncredited)1942FilmFriendly Enemiesas Braun 1942FilmLady in a Jamas Government Man (uncredited)1942FilmThru Different Eyesas Mott 1942FilmThey All Kissed the Brideas Spotter 1942FilmThe Mad Martindalesas Virgil Hickling 1942FilmBroadwayas Hungry Harry 1942FilmSunday Punchas Ringside spectator at Ole's first fight (uncredited)1942FilmTarzan's New York Adventureas Sargent's Lawyer Gould Beaton 1942FilmHome in Wyomin'as Newspaper Editor 1942FilmAbout Faceas Rental Car Manager 1942FilmObliging Young Ladyas Private Detective Smith 1942FilmThe Adventures of Martin Edenas Mr. White 1942FilmWhat's Cookin'?as K.D. Reynolds 1942FilmBorn to Singas Johnny 1942FilmThe Lady Is Willingas K.K. Miller 1942FilmA Close Call for Ellery Queenas Coroner 1942FilmA Gentleman at Heartas Holloway 1942FilmSealed Lipsas Attorney Emanuel 'Manny' T. Dixon 1941FilmBall of Fireas Larsen 1941FilmRide 'Em Cowboyas Martin Manning (uncredited)1941FilmBirth of the Bluesas Wilbur - Bijou Theater Manager (uncredited)1941FilmI Wake Up Screamingas Keating- Florist 1941FilmThe Great Man's Ladyas Pierce (uncredited)1941FilmNew York Townas Census Taker (uncredited)1941FilmAppointment for Loveas Smith (uncredited)1941FilmThree Girls About Townas Mortician 1941FilmBuy Me That Townas J. Montague Gainsborough 1941FilmEllery Queen and the Perfect Crimeas Dr. Prouty (coroner)1941FilmThe Big Storeas Finance Company Man (uncredited)1941FilmSis Hopkinsas Mayor's aide 1941FilmBarnacle Billas Auctioneer 1941FilmRepent at Leisureas Clarence Morgan 1941FilmEllery Queen's Penthouse Mysteryas Doc Prouty 1941FilmYou're the Oneas Announcer 1941FilmBack Streetas Reporter for Associated News 1940FilmThe Invisible Womanas Growley 1940FilmThe Texas Rangers Ride Againas Train Passenger (uncredited)1940FilmEllery Queen, Master Detectiveas Dr. Prouty 1940FilmDancing on a Dimeas Freeman Taylor 1940FilmBlondie Plays Cupidas Train Conductor (uncredited)1940FilmCity for Conquestas Al - Dance Team Manager (uncredited)1940FilmThe Leather Pushersas Henry 'Mitch' Mitchell 1940FilmThe Great Profileas Director 1940FilmRhythm on the Riveras Bernard Schwartz 1940FilmWe Who Are Youngas Perkins 1940FilmQueen of the Mobas Horace Grimley 1940FilmBuck Benny Rides Againas Charlie Graham 1940FilmYou Can't Fool Your Wifeas Salesman 1940FilmOn Their Ownas Johnson 1940FilmThe Crooked Roadas Phil Wesner, Defense Attorney 1940FilmEdison, the Manas Second Lecturer 1940FilmThe Doctor Takes a Wifeas Reporter (uncredited)1940FilmJohnny Apolloas Assistant D.A.1940FilmIt's a Dateas Mr. Horner (uncredited)1940FilmPrimrose Pathas Mr. Smith (uncredited)1939FilmCharlie McCarthy, Detectiveas Charlie's Doctor 1939FilmThe Cat and the Canaryas Reporter 1939FilmBeware Spooks!as Moore (uncredited)1939FilmTelevision Spyas Mr. Adler 1939FilmMr. Smith Goes to Washingtonas Nosey 1939FilmHoneymoon in Balias Photographer (uncredited)1939FilmFifth Avenue Girlas Union Representative (uncredited)1939FilmGolden Boyas Reporter Drake 1939FilmMiracles for Saleas Fleetwood Apartments Desk Clerk 1939FilmThey All Come Outas Psychiatrist 1939FilmNews Is Made at Nightas District Attorney Rufe Reynolds 1939FilmSecond Fiddleas Studio Chief 1939FilmLucky Nightas Carpenter 1939FilmRose of Washington Squareas Sam Kress 1939FilmLet Us Liveas Auto Show Salesman (uncredited)1939FilmInside Storyas District Attorney 1939FilmBoy Slavesas Albee 1938FilmKentuckyas Auctioneer 1938FilmBlondieas Furniture Salesman (uncredited)1938FilmAlways in Troubleas Donald Gower 1938FilmThree Loves Has Nancyas Cleaning Store Manager (uncredited)1938FilmYou Can't Take It with Youas Henderson 1938FilmProfessor Bewareas Joe - Photographer 1938FilmThe Rage of Parisas Department Head (uncredited)1938FilmCocoanut Groveas Weaver 1938FilmJoy of Livingas Fan in Margaret's Dressing Room (Uncredited)1937FilmNothing Sacredas Rubenstein (uncredited)1937FilmAli Baba Goes to Townas Doctor 1937FilmDanger – Love at Workas Gilroy, an attorney 1937FilmHot Wateras Grayson (uncredited)1937FilmTrapped by G-Menas Fingers 1937FilmBad Guyas Attorney 1937FilmOne Mile from Heavenas Webb 1937FilmBorn Recklessas Barnes's lawyer 1937FilmBig Businessas Webster - Bank Representative 1937FilmVenus Makes Troubleas District Attorney 1937FilmInternes Can't Take Moneyas Grote 1937FilmSea Devilsas Judge (uncredited)1937FilmWe're on the Juryas Horace Smith 1937FilmCriminal Lawyeras Attorney (uncredited)1936FilmEasy to Takeas Skip 1936FilmLady Luckas Feinberg 1936FilmTwo-Fisted Gentlemanas Joe Gordon 1936Film36 Hours to Killas Lawyer Rickert 1936FilmMr. Deeds Goes to Townas Hallor (uncredited)1936FilmThe Milky Wayas Willard 1936FilmThe Adventures of Frank Merriwellas Man in Front Row (archive footage)1935FilmTwo for Tonightas Writer 1935FilmHere Comes the Bandas Mr. Scurry 1935FilmWoman Wantedas Defense Attorney Herman (uncredited)1935FilmGingeras Judge (uncredited)1935FilmThe Florentine Daggeras Man in Front Row (archive footage)1935FilmOne More Springas Representative 1934FilmThe Band Plays Onas Shyster Lawyer 1934FilmA Wicked Womanas Defense Attorney Beardsley (uncredited)1934FilmBroadway Billas Morgan's Henchman (uncredited)1934FilmI'll Fix Itas Al Nathan 1934FilmLet's Talk It Overas Reporter 1934FilmTwenty Million Sweetheartsas Reporter (uncredited)1934FilmTwentieth Centuryas Max Jacobs 1934FilmLooking for Troubleas Switchboard Operator 1934FilmThe Show-Offas Mr. Weitzenkorn 1933FilmMr. Skitchas Hotel Clerk 1933FilmAdvice to the Lovelorn 1933FilmBroadway Thru a Keyholeas Columnist #2 1933FilmThe Boweryas Doctor (uncredited)1933FilmMy Womanas Conn 1933FilmShe Had to Say Yesas Mr. Bernstein (uncredited)1933FilmPrivate Detective 62as Process Server (Uncredited)1933FilmGold Diggers of 1933as Society Reporter (uncredited)1933FilmCentral Airportas Amarillo Radio Operator (uncredited)1933Film42nd Streetas Playwright (uncredited)1933FilmBlondie Johnsonas Cashier (uncredited)1933FilmGrand Slamas Waiter at Nicolai Restaurant 1933FilmEmployees' Entranceas Shoe Salesman (uncredited)1932FilmBlessed Eventas Kane 1932FilmThe Mouthpieceas Hotel Desk Clerk (Uncredited)1932FilmUnion Depotas Luggage Checkroom Clerk (uncredited)1931FilmManhattan Paradeas Desk clerk 1931FilmBlonde Crazyas Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)1931FilmThe Road to Singaporeas Desk Clerk at Club (uncredited)1931FilmSmart Moneyas Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)1930FilmCity Girlas Man at Train Station (uncredited)1925FilmI Want My Manas French Doctor