Emory Bass

Emory P. Bass, Jr. (August 12, 1925 – March 4, 2015) was an American actor whose career spanned Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, and television across several decades. Born in Valdosta, Georgia, to Estelle (née Johnston) and Emory P. Bass, Sr., he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before pursuing a life in performance. Following graduation, he spent two years at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, then relocated to New York City to begin his professional career in earnest.

Bass entered the professional theater world as a cast member of a touring production of the play Glad Tidings, which starred Tallulah Bankhead. The two developed a friendship that lasted the remainder of their lives. He went on to tour in several additional productions, including Everybody Loves Opal with Nancy Walker, Time Out for Ginger with Art Carney, and Woman of the Year alongside Lauren Bacall.

His Broadway career ran from 1948 to 1983 and encompassed a wide range of productions. Among his credits were The Teahouse of the August Moon, Can-Can, the musical Pal Joey, Kiss Me!, Dunelawn, and the 1973 revival of Irene, which starred Debbie Reynolds. One of his most prominent stage roles came in the original 1969 Broadway production of the musical 1776, in which he played James Wilson. He reprised that role in the 1972 film adaptation of the same production.

Beyond Broadway, Bass maintained an active Off-Broadway presence, appearing in productions including Bad Habits, By Jupiter, The Boys from Syracuse, and Lysistrata. He also starred in an overseas production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. For three years he served as the spokesperson and voice of the Discover Card advertising campaign.

His television work included a recurring role as Phipps on the ABC series Angie, which ran from 1979 to 1980, as well as guest appearances on Dark Shadows, Hart to Hart, Murder, She Wrote, Webster, and Mr. Belvedere. Bass died on March 4, 2015, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, at the age of 89.