Milton Parson

Ernest Milton Parsons was born on May 19, 1904, in Massachusetts, and died on May 15, 1980. He worked as an American character actor across stage, film, and television.

Parsons began his stage career in 1927 with The Strolling Players of Boston. His Broadway work spanned several decades, beginning with a 1933 appearance in Unto the Third, in which he played James Case. He appeared in the musical Right This Way in 1938. Later Broadway credits included The Vigil in 1948, where he portrayed Saul of Tarsus, and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep in 1950, in which he took on the role of Albert Plaschke.

In 1939, Parsons signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a character actor. His physical appearance — a bald head, wide eyes, and a soft-spoken voice carrying a British accent despite his Massachusetts origins — led to his being cast repeatedly as morticians, coroners, mad doctors, and dangerous eccentrics. He also brought a comedic dimension to many of these roles through broad smiles and exaggerated expressions. After one year at M-G-M, Parsons moved into freelance work and maintained a steady presence across multiple studios. Between 1939 and 1978, he accumulated more than 160 credits in film, television, and commercials.