Lee Phelps

Lee Phelps, born Napoleon Bonaparte Kukuck on May 15, 1893, was an American actor whose career spanned both Broadway and film. He died on March 19, 1953, at his home.

Phelps established his stage career during the mid-1910s, appearing on Broadway between 1914 and 1916. His Broadway credits included four musicals: Robinson Crusoe, Jr., Dancing Around, The Dancing Duchess, and The Belle of Bond Street.

Following his stage work, Phelps transitioned to film, accumulating credits in more than 600 productions between 1917 and 1953. The majority of these appearances were uncredited roles. Among his film work, he appeared in three productions that each won the Academy Award for Best Picture: Grand Hotel, You Can't Take It with You, and Gone with the Wind.

In addition to his film career, Phelps worked in television during the early 1950s. In 1952 he appeared as a judge in the episode "Outlaw's Paradise" of the syndicated western series The Adventures of Kit Carson, which starred Bill Williams in the title role. That same year he also appeared in episode 90 of The Lone Ranger.

In 1916, the same year his Broadway career concluded, Phelps married actress Mary Warren. The couple had two daughters, Marilee and Patricia.