George Cleveland


George Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1930 and 1954.

Career

Cleveland was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Cleveland moved to Hollywood in 1936 and went on to work in films via acting, producing and directing.
Cleveland is perhaps best remembered today as George "Gramps" Miller in the early years of the long running US series Lassie. The early seasons in which Cleveland appeared were retitled Jeff's Collie for syndicated reruns and DVD release. He played the grumpy but-kind hearted father-in-law of farm woman Ellen Miller, and grandfather of Lassie's owner, Jeff.
Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season. His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.
Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in Burbank, California at age 71. He was survived by his spouse Dorothy Melleck, whom he married in 1955.

Selected filmography