Reid Shelton

Reid Shelton (October 7, 1924 – June 8, 1997) was an American actor whose career spanned Broadway and television across several decades. Born in Salem, Oregon, he graduated from the University of Michigan before establishing himself as a performer on the New York stage.

Shelton's Broadway career extended from 1952 to 1983, encompassing nine productions. He made his Broadway debut in Wish You Were Here in 1952, and went on to perform multiple roles in My Fair Lady over a six-year period from 1956 to 1962, including the role of Freddy in the first national tour. In 1965, he appeared as Mr. Snow in the Lincoln Center revival of Carousel, produced by Richard Rodgers. His subsequent Broadway credits included Canterbury Tales, The Rothschilds, and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The defining achievement of Shelton's stage career was originating the role of Oliver Warbucks in Annie, which he played from 1977 to 1983 — a run of six years. His performance earned him both a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, both in 1977. His wife at the time, actress Mari McMinn, also appeared in the original cast of Annie.

Beyond the stage, Shelton appeared in more than 31 television productions between 1974 and 1990. He held a lead role in the HBO comedy series 1st & 10, playing football coach Ernie DiNardo, and appeared in a cameo role on Cheers as a small-time con man. He also appeared in The Golden Girls as Mr. Allen, the character who managed the museum where Blanche Devereaux worked.

Shelton had married actress Mari McMinn in 1960; the marriage ended in divorce four years later. He died of a stroke in Portland, Oregon on June 8, 1997, survived by his life partner of 24 years, Donovan Baker.