Born: March 31, 1907 – Died: July 19, 1990
Eddie Quillan, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1907, was destined for showbiz from a young age. At just seven years old, he was already treading the boards in Vaudeville alongside his sister and three brothers in the act "The Rising Generation." His parents, Joseph and Sarah Quillan, were no strangers to the stage, with Joseph managing the family troupe. From top venues like the Orpheum Theatre, Eddie's path led to the silver screen , where he starred in numerous two-reeler shorts and carved a niche with his comedic prowess. While not a leading man in stature, his boundless energy and comedic timing earned him a string of memorable supporting roles in films like Mutiny on the Bounty. Eddie Quillan's enduring contributions to the entertainment industry spanned decades, leaving a mark that went well beyond his rubbery-faced charm and compact frame.
Early Life and Career
Eddie Quillan was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 31, 1907. He started his journey into the entertainment world at a young age, performing in vaudeville with his siblings in an act known as "The Rising Generation." His parents, Joseph and Sarah Quillan, were also seasoned performers, with Joseph managing the family act. They even performed at prestigious venues like the Orpheum Theatre.
Eddie's career took a turn when he was selected for a [screen@leoglossary/leoglossary-screen-film-industry test, which eventually led to his first professional role in the short film. He went on to appear in nearly 20 two-reeler shorts with Sennett. After freelancing for a few years, he landed a contract at Pathe Studios. However, due to his distinctive rubbery face and shorter stature, he primarily played supporting roles in films like The Grapes of Wrath and "Mutiny on the Bounty."
Eddie Quillan's career received a boost when he formed a close friendship with actor Michael Landon, leading to appearances in Landon's TV series, including "Little House on the Prairie" and "Highway to Heaven." Although his contributions in these series were relatively minor, they helped him regain some recognition during the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite his talent and energy, Eddie often found himself cast in simple roles like bellhops and soda jerks. However, he persevered in the industry until his film career gradually faded away in the 1980s. He even tried his hand at owning and operating a bowling alley for a period.
In his personal life, Eddie Quillan never married and remained single throughout his life. He passed away in Burbank, California, in 1990 at the age of 83, succumbing to cancer. He was laid to rest at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.
Eddie Quillan's impact on Hollywood was notable, with a career spanning over 100 movies and numerous television appearances. While he may not have achieved leading-man status, his high energy, sharp comedy instincts, and enduring presence in the entertainment industry have left a lasting mark. He is remembered as a talented character actor who contributed to the charm of many films and TV shows.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Matlock (TV Series) | David Sears |
| 1986 | The A-Team (TV Series) | Old Man |
| 1984–1986 | Highway to Heaven (TV Series) | Bart | Tramp | Clyde |
| 1986 | Moonlighting (TV Series) | Abbie Cadabra |
| 1985 | Hell Town (TV Series) | Poco Loco |
| 1985 | Hell Town (TV Movie) | Smitty |
| 1985 | Hardcastle and McCormick (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1977–1983 | Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) | Buffalo Bill | Old Timer | Kavendish ... |
| 1982 | Father Murphy (TV Series) | Grizzly |
| 1982 | Here's Boomer (TV Series) | Arthur |
| 1980 | For the Love of It (TV Movie) | Wino |
| 1980 | The Jeffersons (TV Series) | Guard |
| 1979 | ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series) | Mr. Watkins |
| 1979 | Kaz (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1979 | The Darker Side of Terror (TV Movie) | Watchman |
| 1978 | Mr. Too Little | Concessionaire |
| 1978 | Baretta (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1977 | Mad Bull (TV Movie) | Rafferty |
| 1977 | Police Woman (TV Series) | Bus Driver |
| 1977 | The Banana Company (TV Movie) | Seebring |
| 1973–1977 | Police Story (TV Series) | Thacher | Dexter | Sally |
| 1977 | Chico and the Man (TV Series) | The Bum |
| 1976 | The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series) | Timpkins |
| 1976 | Petrocelli (TV Series) | Drunk |
| 1976 | City of Angels (TV Series) | Homer |
| 1975 | Harry and Maggie (TV Movie) | Max Lovechild |
| 1975 | Lucas Tanner (TV Series) | Mr. Krebs |
| 1973–1975 | Mannix (TV Series) | Willie | Woody Blaine | Judas Hobo |
| 1975 | The Last Day (TV Movie) | Bank Clerk (uncredited) |
| 1975 | The Strongest Man in the World | Mr. Willoughby |
| 1971–1974 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Telegrapher | Barkeep |
| 1974 | Melvin Purvis G-MAN (TV Movie) | Hotel Clerk |
| 1970–1974 | Here's Lucy (TV Series) | Mr. Jackson | Cab Driver |
| 1974 | Hitchhike! (TV Movie) | Counterman |
| 1973 | Griff (TV Series) | Tompkins |
| 1973 | She Lives! (TV Movie) | Janitor |
| 1973 | Incident on a Dark Street (TV Movie) | Security Guard (uncredited) |
| 1972 | The Judge and Jake Wyler (TV Movie) | Billy Lambert |
| 1972 | Now You See Him, Now You Don't | Charlie - School Custodian (uncredited) |
| 1972 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | Amos Wick |
| 1972 | The Jimmy Stewart Show (TV Series) | The Burglar | Mr. Grover |
| 1972 | Adam-12 (TV Series) | T.J. |
| 1972 | Columbo (TV Series) | Ferguson |
| 1972 | Me and the Chimp (TV Series) | Harley |
| 1971 | Sarge (TV Series) | Bartender |
| 1971 | Nichols (TV Series) | Agent |
| 1971 | Love, American Style (TV Series) | (segment "Love and the Loud Mouth") |
| 1968–1971 | Julia (TV Series) | Eddie Edson |
| 1971 | How to Frame a Figg | Old Man |
| 1970 | The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (TV Movie) | Silver Dollar Bartender (uncredited) |
| 1970 | Mod Squad (TV Series) | Davis |
| 1966–1970 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) | Proprietor | Mr. Stokey | Inn Landlord ... |
| 1970 | The Doris Day Show (TV Series) | Man #4 |
| 1969 | Hello, Dolly! | Mr. Cassidy (uncredited) |
| 1969 | Angel in My Pocket | Reverend Beckwith |
| 1969 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Edmunds |
| 1967–1969 | The Wild Wild West (TV Series) | Snidley | Hogan |
| 1967–1969 | The Guns of Will Sonnett (TV Series) | Bartender | Desk Clerk | Hotel Desk Clerk |
| 1968 | The Good Guys (TV Series) | Man |
| 1968 | Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? | Salesman |
| 1968 | The Shakiest Gun in the West | Train Porter (uncredited) |
| 1967–1968 | Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV Series) | Bill | Man |
| 1968 | The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz | Man on Bicycle (uncredited) |
| 1967 | The Big Valley (TV Series) | Hotel Clerk |
| 1967 | Cimarron Strip (TV Series) | Guard |
| 1967 | A Guide for the Married Man | Cologne Salesman (uncredited) |
| 1967 | Eight on the Lam | Car Dealer (uncredited) |
| 1967 | It's About Time (TV Series) | McAllister |
| 1967 | Batman (TV Series) | Newsie |
| 1967 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) | Scotty MacPherson |
| 1966 | Lost in Space (TV Series) | Bartender (uncredited) |
| 1966 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Scott |
| 1966 | The Phyllis Diller Show (TV Series) | Pawnbroker |
| 1961–1966 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Agent | Photographer | Bookkeeper Abner Keller |
| 1966 | Frankie and Johnny | Cashier (uncredited) |
| 1964–1966 | The Addams Family (TV Series) | Mr. Digby | Joe Digby | Clyde Arbogast ... |
| 1966 | Branded (TV Series) | Cowhand (uncredited) |
| 1966 | The Ghost and Mr. Chicken | Elevator Operator (uncredited) |
| 1965 | The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) | Bell Hop |
| 1962–1965 | The Lucy Show (TV Series) | Briggs | Mr. Vincent |
| 1965 | Vacation Playhouse (TV Series) | Emcee |
| 1965 | The Bounty Killer | Pianist |
| 1965 | Zebra in the Kitchen | Man Watching TV (uncredited) |
| 1964–1965 | Valentine's Day (TV Series) | Grover Cleveland Fipple |
| 1964–1965 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Mr. Jellybean | Elevator Starter |
| 1964 | No Time for Sergeants (TV Series) | Cook |
| 1964 | The Bill Dana Show (TV Series) | Deliveryman |
| 1964 | The Bing Crosby Show (TV Series) | Waiter |
| 1963–1964 | Petticoat Junction (TV Series) | Mort | Dick |
| 1964 | Advance to the Rear | Sgt. Smitty (uncredited) |
| 1964 | Temple Houston (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | Viva Las Vegas | Master of Ceremonies (uncredited) |
| 1963 | Move Over, Darling | Bellboy |
| 1963 | Take Her, She's Mine | Gateman (uncredited) |
| 1963 | Glynis (TV Series) | Eddie |
| 1963 | Gunfight at Comanche Creek | Hotel Clerk |
| 1963 | Hazel (TV Series) | Mover | Attendant |
| 1963 | Promises..... Promises! | Bartender |
| 1963 | Come Blow Your Horn | Elevator Boy (uncredited) |
| 1963 | Summer Magic | Mailman (uncredited) |
| 1958–1963 | The Real McCoys (TV Series) | Arthur | Mr. Nelson | Mr. Smith ... |
| 1963 | Papa's Delicate Condition | Tom (uncredited) |
| 1963 | McHale's Navy (TV Series) | The Sailor |
| 1961–1963 | The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) | Bellboy |
| 1962 | Who's Got the Action? | Dingo the Telephone Repairman (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Rifleman (TV Series) | Angus Evans |
| 1962 | Bonanza (TV Series) | Danny Culp |
| 1962 | Checkmate (TV Series) | Willie the Barber |
| 1962 | My Three Sons (TV Series) | Mr. Hewlitt |
| 1962 | Pete and Gladys (TV Series) | Lennie |
| 1962 | The Detectives (TV Series) | Noolie |
| 1962 | Hennesey (TV Series) | Ticket Taker |
| 1960–1961 | Death Valley Days (TV Series) | Widower Mayberry | Hill Beachy | Clem Rees ... |
| 1961 | Mister Ed (TV Series) | Photographer |
| 1961 | 87th Precinct (TV Series) | Blinky Smith |
| 1961 | The Ladies Man | Wolf Man (scenes deleted) |
| 1961 | Surfside 6 (TV Series) | Chuck |
| 1960 | Lock Up (TV Series) | Switzer |
| 1960 | The Dennis O'Keefe Show (TV Series) | George Martin |
| 1960 | The Deputy (TV Series) | Hotel Clerk (uncredited) |
| 1959 | The Alaskans (TV Series) | Kid Johns |
| 1959 | Law of the Plainsman (TV Series) | Horace Arnold |
| 1959 | The Texan (TV Series) | Slick Parker |
| 1958 | The Bob Cummings Show (TV Series) | Air Sergeant | Sargeant Hall Bender |
| 1958 | Richard Diamond, Private Detective (TV Series) | Mel Jones |
| 1958 | The Thin Man (TV Series) | Jesse Lamont |
| 1956 | Come on Seven (Short) | Eddie |
| 1955 | He Took a Powder (Short) | Eddie |
| 1955 | Nobody's Home (Short) | Eddie |
| 1955 | His Pest Friend (Short) | Eddie |
| 1954 | Brigadoon | Sandy |
| 1954 | Doggie in the Bedroom (Short) | Eddie |
| 1953 | He Popped His Pistol (Short) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Strop, Look and Listen (Short) | Eddy |
| 1952 | Heebie Gee-Gees (Short) | Eddie |
| 1952 | A Fool and His Honey (Short) | Eddie |
| 1951 | Fun on the Run (Short) | Eddie |
| 1951 | He Flew the Shrew (Short) | Eddie |
| 1950 | House About It (Short) | Eddie |
| 1950 | Sideshow | Big Top |
| 1949 | Let Down Your Aerial (Short) | Eddie |
| 1948 | Parlor, Bedroom and Wrath (Short) | Eddie |
| 1948 | Crabbin' in the Cabin (Short) | Eddie |
| 1948 | A-Hunting They Did Go (Short) | Unknown |
| 1946 | A Guy Could Change | George Cummings |
| 1945 | Sensation Hunters | Ray Lawson |
| 1945 | Jungle Raiders | Joe Riley |
| 1945 | Song of the Sarong | Tony Romans |
| 1945 | Jungle Queen | Chuck Kelly |
| 1944 | Mystery of the River Boat | Jug Jenks |
| 1944 | Dark Mountain | Willie Dinsmire |
| 1944 | Moonlight and Cactus | Stubby Lamont |
| 1944 | Dixie Jamboree | Jeff Calhoun |
| 1944 | Twilight on the Prairie | Phil |
| 1944 | Slightly Terrific | Charlie Young |
| 1944 | This Is the Life | Gus |
| 1944 | Hi, Good Lookin'! | Dynamo Carson |
| 1944 | Strange Confession | Cochery |
| 1943 | Hi Ya, Sailor | Corky Mills |
| 1943 | Here Comes Kelly | James Aloysius 'Jimmy' Kelly |
| 1943 | Melody Parade | Jimmy Tracy |
| 1943 | Alaska Highway | Pompadour 'Shorty' Jones |
| 1943 | Follow the Band | Marvin Howe |
| 1943 | It Ain't Hay | Harry the Horse |
| 1942 | Priorities on Parade | Sticks O'Hara |
| 1942 | Kid Glove Killer | Eddie Wright |
| 1941 | Flying Blind | Riley |
| 1941 | Too Many Blondes | Wally Pelton |
| 1941 | The Flame of New Orleans | 3rd Sailor |
| 1941 | Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga | Skat |
| 1941 | Where Did You Get That Girl? | Joe Olsen |
| 1940 | Dark Streets of Cairo | Jerry Jones |
| 1940 | Dancing on a Dime | Jack Norcross |
| 1940 | Margie | Joe |
| 1940 | La Conga Nights | Titus Endover |
| 1940 | *The Grapes of Wrath* | Connie |
| 1939 | Allegheny Uprising | Anderson |
| 1939 | Hawaiian Nights | Ray Peters |
| 1939 | Young Mr. Lincoln | Adam Clay |
| 1939 | The Flying Irishman | Henry Corrigan |
| 1939 | The Family Next Door | Sammy Pierce |
| 1939 | Made for Each Other | Conway |
| 1938 | Swing, Sister, Swing | Chick 'Satchel Lips' Peters |
| 1937 | Big City | Mike Edwards |
| 1937 | London by Night | Bill |
| 1936 | The Mandarin Mystery | Ellery Queen |
| 1936 | The Gentleman from Louisiana | Tod Mason |
| 1935 | *Mutiny on the Bounty* | Ellison |
| 1934 | Gridiron Flash | Thomas Burke |
| 1934 | Hollywood Party | Bob Benson |
| 1933 | Meet the Baron | Man at Dock (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Broadway to Hollywood | Ted Hackett III |
| 1933 | Strictly Personal | Thomas Jefferson Reed |
| 1932 | Girl Crazy | Danny Churchill |
| 1931 | The Big Shot | Ray Smith |
| 1931 | The Tip-Off | Thomas 'Tommy' Jordan |
| 1931 | Sweepstakes | Bud Doyle |
| 1931 | Stout Hearts and Willing Hands (Short) | Unknown |
| 1930 | Big Money | Eddie |
| 1930 | Night Work | Willie |
| 1929 | The Sophomore | Joe Collins |
| 1929 | Noisy Neighbors | Eddie Van Revel |
| 1929 | Geraldine | Eddie Able |
| 1928 | Show Folks | Eddie Kehoe |
| 1928 | The Godless Girl | Samuel 'Bozo' Johnson - The Goat |
| 1928 | A Little Bit of Everything (Short) | (as Eddie Quillan and Family) |
| 1927 | Love in a Police Station (Short) | Officer Eddie Chase |
| 1927 | Red Hot Bullets (Short) | Unknown |
| 1927 | The Bull Fighter (Short) | Young Flint |
| 1927 | Ain't Nature Grand (Short) | Unknown |
| 1927 | For Sale, a Bungalow (Short) | Eddie |
| 1927 | The Golf Nut (Short) | Eddie |
| 1927 | The College Kiddo (Short) | Eddie Dunn - the Freshman |
| 1927 | Catalina, Here I Come (Short) | Eddie - the Cook |
| 1927 | The Plumber's Daughter (Short) | Buddy Jones |
| 1927 | Pass the Dumplings (Short) | Eddie Jones |
| 1926 | Kitty from Killarney (Short) | Eddie McManus |
| 1926 | Hesitating Horses (Short) | Eddie Hicks |
| 1926 | Should Husbands Marry? (Short) | Eddie McGrew |
| 1926 | The Perils of Petersboro (Short) | Eddie Knight |
| 1926 | Her Actor Friend (Short) | Buddy Jones |
| 1926 | Alice Be Good (Short) | Buddy Jones |
| 1926 | Puppy Lovetime (Short) | Buddy Jones |
| 1926 | The Ghost of Folly (Short) | Buzz Dugan - Messenger |
| 1926 | A Love Sundae (Short) | Buddy Jones |