Maurice Manson

Maurice Manson, born Moritz Levine on January 31, 1913, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was a character actor whose career in theater, film, and television extended over more than three decades. He died on September 21, 2002.

Manson relocated to New York City to pursue acting and established himself on and off Broadway throughout the 1930s and into the 1940s, with his Broadway appearances spanning from 1932 to 1949. His stage credits included Waltz in Goose Step, Madame Bovary, Baby Pompadour, and productions of both Macbeth and Othello at the Barrymore Theater. In 1933, he appeared in Mary of Scotland, taking on the roles of a page and Graeme, a sergeant. During World War II, Manson served as an Army medical photographer in Europe.

Following his years in New York theater, Manson moved to Hollywood, California, in the 1950s, where he pursued a film career in largely supporting roles. His film appearances included Hellcats of the Navy and The Spirit of St. Louis.

Television became a significant part of Manson's later career. He guest-starred in five episodes of the CBS legal drama Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr. His appearances included the role of murder victim Charles Sabin and his brother Arthur in "The Case of the Perjured Parrot," murder victim Joseph Kraft in "The Case of the Bogus Books," Jess Parkinson in "The Case of the Dead Ringer," Mayor Orson Stillman in "The Case of the Bullied Bowler," and Dr. Grandby in "The Case of the Demure Defendant." He also appeared five times on the NBC sitcom Hazel, starring Shirley Booth. Additional television credits included The Americans, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Leave It to Beaver, Dennis the Menace, The Munsters, and two episodes of Gunsmoke.