Stanley Adams (born Stanley Abramowitz; April 7, 1915 – April 27, 1977) was an American actor and screenwriter. He appeared in many television series and films, notably '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961), '' Lilies of the Field'' (1963), and in TV series from ''Gunsmoke'' to the ''Star Trek'' episode "

The Trouble with Tribbles "The Trouble with Tribbles" is the fifteenth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. Written by David Gerrold and directed by Joseph Pevney, it was first broadcast on December 29, 1967. In ...

" in which he played a salesman selling

tribble Tribbles are a fictional alien species in the ''Star Trek'' universe. They were conceived by screenwriter David Gerrold and first appeared in 1967, in the fifteenth episode of the second season of '' The Original Series'', titled " The Trouble wi ...

Early life

Adams was born in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. He had his first film role playing the bartender in the movie version of ''

Death of a Salesman ''Death of a Salesman'' is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. It is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn told through a montag ...

'' (1951). He played another barkeep in ''

The Gene Krupa Story ''The Gene Krupa Story'' (also known as ''Drum Crazy'') is a 1959 biopic of American drummer and bandleader Gene Krupa. The conflict in the film centers on Krupa's rise to success and his corresponding use of marijuana. Plot synopsis The young ...

'' and a safecracker in

Roger Corman Roger William Corman (born April 5, 1926) is an American film director, producer, and actor. He has been called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and is known as a trailblazer in the world of independent film. Many of Corman's films are based on works t ...

's ''

High School Big Shot ''High School Big Shot'' is a 1959 film starring Tom Pittman (actor), Tom Pittman as Marv Grant, a smart high school student whose plans for getting a college scholarship are threatened by his alcoholic father played by Malcolm Atterbury, and his r ...

'' (1959).

Career

Adams had a lengthy career as a

character actor A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to b ...

, often playing comic, pompous characters. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957) 2

Adams played

Otis Campbell Otis Campbell is the fictional "town drunk" in Mayberry on the American TV sitcom ''The Andy Griffith Show.'' Otis was played by Hal Smith and made frequent appearances on the show from 1960 to 1967 but stopped appearing toward the end of the se ...

's brother on an episode of ''

The Andy Griffith Show ''The Andy Griffith Show '' is an American situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 90 in color. The ...

''; the character berated Otis for being the town drunk but turned out to be an alcoholic himself. His 1959 portrayal of Chicago gangster/gambler Nick Popolous in '' Mr. Lucky'' ("That Stands For Pool") is especially good as he deftly shifts from bumpkin to killer multiple times. He appeared in an episode of ''

The Tab Hunter Show ''The Tab Hunter Show'' is an American situation comedy starring Tab Hunter which centers around a young comic-strip artist and his romantic adventures. Original episodes aired on NBC from September 18, 1960, until April 30, 1961.McNeil, Alex, ''T ...

'' in 1961. His other roles on TV shows include roles in six episodes of ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings. It ...

'' and three episode of ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

''. as political boss Frank Templeton in the final episode of ''

McHale's Navy ''McHale's Navy'' is an American sitcom starring Ernest Borgnine that aired 138 half-hour episodes over four seasons, from October 11, 1962, to April 12, 1966, on the ABC television network. The series was filmed in black and white and originate ...

'' (1962–1966) "Wally for Congress." He played a realtor on ''

The Dick Van Dyke Show ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' is an American television sitcom created by Carl Reiner that initially aired on CBS from October 3, 1961 to June 1, 1966, with a total of 158 half-hour episodes spanning five seasons. It was produced by Calvada Product ...

'' episode "Your Home Sweet Home Is My Home Sweet Home". He had two roles in the syndicated western series ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program ...

'' in the episodes "The Holy Terror" (1963) and "The Lady and the Sourdough" (1966). He appeared as King Kaliwani in the final episode of ''

Gilligan's Island ''Gilligan's Island'' is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz. The show's ensemble cast features Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells. It aired for thr ...

'', and as Captain Courageous in two episodes of the 1960s ''

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...

'' TV series ("Catwoman Goes to College"/"Batman Displays his Knowledge"). He also played notorious pool shark "Sure Shot" Wilson on series ''

The Odd Couple Odd Couple may refer to: Neil Simon play and its adaptations * ''The Odd Couple'' (play), a 1965 stage play by Neil Simon ** ''The Odd Couple'' (film), a 1968 film based on the play *** ''The Odd Couple'' (1970 TV series), a 1970–1975 televisi ...

''. In genre television he appeared on ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, su ...

'' as a time-traveling scientist—opposite

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, in which his trademark was physical comedy accompanied by a stoic, deadpan expression ...

—in "

Once Upon a Time "Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 (according to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'') in storytelling in the ...

" and as a bartender ("

Mr Garrity and the Graves "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" is an episode of the American anthology television series ''The Twilight Zone''. Opening narration Plot In the year 1890, a traveling peddler named Jared Garrity arrives in the little recently renamed town of Happine ...

") and as Ilya Klarpe on ''The Addams Family'' (1964). In science fiction television circles he is known primarily for two roles, as "Tybo" the anthropomorphic carrot in the penultimate episode of ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...

'', "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" (1968), and for playing Cyrano Jones in "

" (1967) episode of ''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...

''. He reprised (as a voice actor) Cyrano Jones in the '' Star Trek: The Animated Series'' episode "

More Tribbles, More Troubles "More Tribbles, More Troubles" is the fifth episode of the first season of the animated American science fiction television series ''Star Trek''. It first aired in the NBC Saturday morning lineup on October 6, 1973, and was written by David G ...

" and

archival footage Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures, and file footage is film or video footage that can be used again in other films. Stock footage is beneficial to filmmakers as it saves shooting new material. A single piece of stoc ...

of Adams as Jones was later featured in the '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' episode "

Trials and Tribble-ations "Trials and Tribble-ations" is the 104th episode of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the sixth episode of the fifth season. It was written as a tribute to the original series of '' Star Trek,'' in th ...

" (1996). He also co-wrote an episode for ''Star Trek'''s final season, " The Mark of Gideon". Adams also had a lengthy theatrical motion picture career. In the 1962 theatrical film adaptation of

Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator/on-screen host, best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series ' ...

's teleplay ''

Requiem for a Heavyweight "Requiem for a Heavyweight" is a teleplay written by Rod Serling and produced for the live television show ''Playhouse 90'' on 11 October 1956. Six years later, it was adapted as a 1962 feature film starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey R ...

'' he played the supporting role of Perelli, a sleazy promoter who offers a washed-up boxer a degrading job as a professional wrestler. He played the

Chicano Chicano or Chicana is a chosen identity for many Mexican Americans in the United States. The label ''Chicano'' is sometimes used interchangeably with ''Mexican American'', although the terms have different meanings. While Mexican-American ident ...

café owner in '' Lilies of the Field'' and portrayed Rutherford "Rusty" Trawler, "the 9th richest man in America under 50" in the

Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, t ...

film '' Breakfast at Tiffany's.'' He played Bernie the foulmouthed caller in the 1974 action/adventure movie '' Act of Vengeance.''

Death

Adams committed suicide on April 27, 1977, at the age of 62. He was reportedly depressed due to chronic pain from a back injury. He was cremated at

Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery is a cemetery in Los Angeles at 1831 West Washington Boulevard in the Pico-Union district, southwest of Downtown. It was founded as Rosedale Cemetery in 1884, when Los Angeles had a population of approximately 28,000, ...

. His ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. He left behind an ex-wife, a son and a daughter.Resting Places: The Burial Sites of 14000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson

Selected filmography

*''

The Atomic Kid ''The Atomic Kid'' is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction comedy film directed by Leslie H. Martinson and starring Mickey Rooney and Robert Strauss. It was distributed by Republic Pictures and produced by Maurice Duke and Mickey ...

'' (1954) - Wildcat Hooper *''

Hell's Horizon ''Hell's Horizon'' is a 1955 American war film directed by Tom Gries. The film stars John Ireland and Marla English. ''Hell's Horizon'' recounts the story of a bomber crew in the Korean War. Plot During the Korean War, United States Air Force C ...

'' (1955) - Dixie *'' The Fighting Chance'' (1955) - Piggie (uncredited) *''

Hell on Frisco Bay ''Hell on Frisco Bay'' is a 1956 American CinemaScope film noir crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Alan Ladd, Edward G. Robinson and Joanne Dru. It was made for Ladd's own production company, Jaguar. The film featured an early ...

'' (1956) - Hammy *''

Inside Detroit ''Inside Detroit'' is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Pat O'Brien and Tina Carver. ''Inside Detroit'' is centered on corruption within the United Auto Workers union and is loosely ...

'' (1956) - Harry (uncredited) *'' The Killer Is Loose'' (1956) - Honor Farm Guard (uncredited) *''

The Bold and the Brave ''The Bold and the Brave'' is a 1956 American World War II film written by Robert Lewin in his first screenplay based on some of his Italian Campaign experiences. It was directed by Lewis R. Foster and stars Wendell Corey, Mickey Rooney, and ...

'' (1956) - Master Sergeant *'' Somebody Up There Likes Me'' (1956) - Romolo's Attorney (uncredited) *''

Calling Homicide ''Calling Homicide'' is a 1956 American police drama film directed by Edward Bernds and starring Bill Elliott, Don Haggerty and Kathleen Case. The picture was the third of five films in the Lt. Andy Doyle series, all starring Elliott. Plot Whe ...

'' (1956) - Peter von Elda (uncredited) *''

Trooper Hook ''Trooper Hook'' is a 1957 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Charles Marquis Warren and starring Joel McCrea as the title character and Barbara Stanwyck as the woman he frees from the Indians. The fact that during her captivity ...

'' (1957) - Heathcliff *''

Valerie Valerie may refer to: People *Saint Valerie (disambiguation), a number of saints went by the name Valerie *Valerie (given name), a feminine given name Songs *"Valerie", a 1981 song by Quarterflash, from ''Quarterflash'' *"Valerie", a 1982 son ...

'' (1957) - Dr. Jackson *'' Black Patch'' (1957) - Professor Dudley - Drummer *'' Hell Bound'' (1957) - Herbert Fay Jr. *''

Hell Ship Mutiny ''Hell Ship Mutiny'' is a 1957 American South Seas (genre), South Seas adventure film directed by Lee Sholem and Elmo Williams starring Jon Hall (actor), Jon Hall who also produced and narrated the film. It is a compilation of a 1955 unsold tel ...

'' (1957) - Roxy *''

I Married a Woman ''I Married a Woman'' is a 1958 American comedy film made in 1956, directed by Hal Kanter, written by Goodman Ace and starring George Gobel, Diana Dors and Adolphe Menjou. The picture was produced by Gobel's company Gomalco Productions. ''I Mar ...

'' (1958) - Cabbie (uncredited) *''

Saddle the Wind Saddle the Wind is a 1958 American Western film directed by Robert Parrish, written by Rod Serling, produced by Armand Deutsch, and starring Robert Taylor, Julie London and John Cassavetes. The picture was filmed in Metrocolor and CinemaScope. ...

'' (1958) - Joe - Bartender (uncredited) *''

'' (1959) - Harry March *''

North by Northwest ''North by Northwest'' is a 1959 American spy thriller film, produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason. The screenplay was by Ernest Lehman, who wanted to write "the Hitchcock picture to ...

'' (1959) - Lieutenant Harding (uncredited) *''

'' (1959) - Bar Owner (uncredited) *''

The Gazebo ''The Gazebo'' is a 1959 American black comedy CinemaScope film about a married couple who are being blackmailed. It was based on the 1958 play of the same name by Alec Coppel and directed by George Marshall. Helen Rose was nominated for the A ...

'' (1959) - Dan Shelby (voice, uncredited) *''

One Foot in Hell ''One Foot in Hell'' is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Cirith Ungol. The original LP was produced by Brian Slagel and Cirith Ungol. It was released in August 1986 on Metal Blade Records and re-released in March 1999 b ...

'' (1960) - Pete (uncredited) *''

The Rat Race ''The Rat Race'' is a 1960 American drama film adapted from the play of the same name by Garson Kanin. Directed by Robert Mulligan, it stars Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds as struggling young entertainment professionals in New York City. Film ...

'' (1960) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *''

Studs Lonigan ''Studs Lonigan'' is a novel trilogy by American author James T. Farrell: ''Young Lonigan'' (1932), ''The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan'' (1934), and ''Judgment Day'' (1935). In 1998, the Modern Library ranked the Studs Lonigan trilogy 29th on i ...

'' (1960) - Gangster (uncredited) *''

North to Alaska ''North to Alaska'' is a 1960 comedic Western/Northern film directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne (uncredited). The picture stars Wayne along with Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian, and Capucine. The script is based on the 1939 play ' ...

'' (1960) - Breezy *''

The Wizard of Baghdad ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1960) - Warden Kvetch *''

The Young Savages ''The Young Savages'' is a 1961 American crime drama film directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Burt Lancaster. It was written by Edward Anhalt from a novel by Evan Hunter. The supporting cast includes Dina Merrill, Shelley Winters, and E ...

'' (1961) - Police Lt. Hardy (uncredited) *''

Pirates of Tortuga ''Pirates of Tortuga'' is a 1961 DeLuxe Color American swashbuckler film which invented an alternate history for the actual Welsh privateer Henry Morgan. It was released in October 1961 in the United States in CinemaScope. Plot In the 17th centu ...

'' (1961) - Captain Montbars *'' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961) - Rusty Trawler *''

The Errand Boy ''The Errand Boy'' is a 1961 American comedy film directed by, co-written by and starring Jerry Lewis. Plot Paramutual Pictures decide that they need a spy to find out the inner workings of their studio. Morty S. Tashman, (the 'S' stands for 's ...

'' (1961) - Grumpy *'' The Outsider'' (1961) - Noomie *'' 13 West Street'' (1962) - Finney *'' Have Gun Will Travel'' (1962) - Caleb Musgrove *''

'' (1962) - Perelli *'' Critic's Choice'' (1963) - Bartender *'' Lilies of the Field'' (1963) - Juan *''

Wild and Wonderful ''Wild and Wonderful'' is a 1964 comedy film directed by Michael Anderson and starring Tony Curtis and Christine Kaufmann. The screenplay concerns a clever French poodle named Monsieur Cognac, and the dog's effect on the newly married couple ...

'' (1964) - Mayor of Man La Loquet *'' Looking for Love'' (1964) - Employment Service Official (uncredited) *'' A House Is Not a Home'' (1964) - Harry *''

Fate Is the Hunter Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual. Fate Although often ...

'' (1964) - Bernie (uncredited) *''

Ship of Fools The ship of fools is an allegory, originating from Book VI of Plato's ''Republic'', about a ship with a dysfunctional crew. The allegory is intended to represent the problems of governance prevailing in a political system not based on expert kn ...

'' (1965) - Professor Hutten *'' Your Home Sweet Home Is My Home'' (1965) - Jack Parkly *''

When the Boys Meet the Girls ''When the Boys Meet the Girls'' is a 1965 American musical film directed by Alvin Ganzer and starring Connie Francis and Harve Presnell based on the musical ''Girl Crazy'' and a remake of MGM's 1943 film ''Girl Crazy''. Plot A playboy (Harve ...

'' (1965) - Lank *''

Nevada Smith ''Nevada Smith'' is a 1966 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Steve McQueen, Karl Malden, Brian Keith, Arthur Kennedy and Suzanne Pleshette. The film was made by Embassy Pictures and Solar Productions, in association ...

'' (1966) - Storekeeper *'' Thunder Alley'' (1967) - Mac Lunsford *'' Double Trouble'' (1967) - Captain Roach *''Massacre Harbor'' (1968) - El Gamil (this consists of three episodes of the TV series

The Rat Patrol ''The Rat Patrol'' is an American action and adventure television series that aired on ABC between 1966 and 1968. The show follows the exploits of four Allied soldiers — three Americans and one British — who are part of a long-range desert ...

- 'The Last Harbor Raid' parts I, II & III - released as a film) *'' The Grasshopper'' (1970) - Buddy Miller *''

Move Move may refer to: People *Daniil Move (born 1985), a Russian auto racing driver Brands and enterprises * Move (company), an online real estate company * Move (electronics store), a defunct Australian electronics retailer * Daihatsu Move Gov ...

'' (1970) - New Tenant *'' The Seven Minutes'' (1971) - Irwin Blair *''Machismo: 40 Graves for 40 Guns'' (1971) - Granger *'' Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)'' (1972) - Stomach Operator *''

Another Nice Mess ''Another Nice Mess'' is a 1972 comedy film written and directed by Bob Einstein and starring Rich Little as Richard Nixon and Herb Voland as Spiro Agnew. Plot The film is presented in the style of a Laurel and Hardy comedy, with Nixon in the ...

'' (1972) - President of Persia *''California Country'' (1973) - Grandpa Boomer *''The Clones'' (1973) - Carl Swafford *'' Act of Vengeance'' (1974) - Bernie / Foul Mouth *''

Dixie Dynamite ''Dixie Dynamite'' is a 1976 American film directed by Lee Frost that stars Warren Oates. Steve McQueen appears uncredited in a scene as a motorbike driver. Plot A man who makes liquor illegally from a still is in cahoots with the sheriff, who ...

'' (1976) - Dade McCrutchen *''Woman in the Rain'' (1976) *'' The Great Gundown'' (1977) - Buck (final film role)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Stanley 1915 births 1977 suicides 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American television writers American male television writers Male actors from New York City Suicides by firearm in California Writers from New York City Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century American male writers Screenwriters from New York (state) Screenwriters from California 20th-century American screenwriters 1977 deaths