Grandon Rhodes

Grandon Rhodes, born Grandon Neviers Augustine Rolker on August 7, 1904, in Jersey City, New Jersey, was an American actor whose career spanned stage, film, and television. He died on June 9, 1987, in Encino, California, at the age of 82. He was married to actress Ruth Lee.

Before establishing himself on Broadway, Rhodes built his early stage experience through repertory theatre, performing with troupes in cities including Montreal, Oklahoma City, Omaha, and Hartford. In January 1932, he took on the role of leading man with the Auditorium Permanent Players in Rochester, New York. His Broadway career extended from 1924 to 1963 and encompassed a range of productions. His earliest credited Broadway appearance was Antony and Cleopatra in 1924, followed by Lost Horizons in 1934 and the play Ceiling Zero in 1935. He appeared in Abe Lincoln in Illinois in 1938 and Flight to the West in 1940, then took on roles in both A Boy Who Lived Twice and The Deep Mrs. Sykes in 1945.

Rhodes made his film debut in Follow the Boys in 1944 and went on to accumulate numerous screen appearances. On television, he became recognizable to audiences through recurring roles in several long-running series, including the part of a doctor on Bonanza and a judge on Perry Mason. He also appeared throughout much of the run of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in the recurring role of Beverly Hills banker Chester Vanderlip.