George Petrie

George O. Petrie (November 16, 1912 – November 16, 1997) was an American actor whose career spanned stage, radio, film, and television. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he graduated from the University of Southern California and later served in the United States Army during World War II.

Petrie's professional career began in the theater. In 1938 he appeared in a Federal Theatre Project production of Counsellor-At-Law, playing attorney George Simon. His Broadway work extended from 1938 to 1945 and encompassed a range of productions across genres. Among his credits were The Girl from Wyoming (1938), Jeremiah (1939), The Night Before Christmas (1941), the comedy Mr. Big (1941), Cafe Crown (1942), Army Play-by Play (1943), the drama Winged Victory (1943), and Brighten the Corner (1945). In 1974, following a twelve-year absence from the stage, Petrie returned to theatrical performance as a co-star in Stag at Bay, a production mounted by the Florida State University School of Theater.

In radio drama, Petrie took on the title roles in both Charlie Wild, Private Detective and The Adventures of the Falcon. He played Bill Grant in Call the Police, appeared on the syndicated horror program Murder at Midnight in 1947, and portrayed DA Markham in the syndicated Philo Vance series from 1948 to 1950.

His film work included At Sword's Point (1952), Baby Boom (1987), and Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987). On television, Petrie portrayed prosecuting attorney Pete Quinn on The Edge of Night for more than a decade and held recurring roles on The Honeymooners throughout that series. He played Eddie Haskell's father during season six of Leave It to Beaver and appeared in the recurring role of Ewing family attorney Harv Smithfield on Dallas as well as the 1996 television film Dallas: J.R. Returns. His additional television appearances included Rawhide, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, Bonanza, The Addams Family, The Munsters, Hawaii Five-O, Little House on the Prairie, Gunsmoke, St. Elsewhere, L.A. Law, and numerous other programs.

Petrie died of lymphoma in Los Angeles on November 16, 1997, his 85th birthday. He was survived by his wife, Patricia, and their two children.