George Mathews (actor)


George Mathews was an American actor whose career stretched from an uncredited appearance in Stage Door Canteen in 1943 to Going Home in 1971. Burly, heavy-featured, and tall he had an extensive career on stage which began in the early 1930s, when he failed to get a job with the U.S. Mail. He joined the W.P.A. Theatre, and landed a key role in the play Processional as Dynamite Jim.
With his broad face, strong eyebrows, pug nose, and jutting lower lip, Mathews was often cast as heavies or hardened military types. He appeared in both the stage and film version of The Eve of St. Mark, as Sergeant Ruby. He also succeeded in effectively portraying comic thugs, which he did in Pat and Mike, starring Katharine Hepburn, and in the Garson Kanin-directed musical comedy Do Re Mi, as Fatso O'Rear, starring Phil Silvers. In 1962 he played Stryker in Have Gun - Will Travel, Season 6, Episode 6. He also demonstrated his comedic talent in the short-lived television comedy series Glynis, playing ex-cop Chick Rogers, who assists a mystery writer and amateur sleuth, played by Glynis Johns, in solving "whodunnits", He was also in the Broadway play Catch Me If You Can in 1965. Perhaps his most memorable role was as Harvey in The Bensonhurst Bomber episode of The Honeymooners. He also played the bar owner, John Shanssey, who helped Doc Holiday from hanging in "Gunfight At The OK Corral".
Mathews retired from the screen in 1972 and died from heart disease in Caesars Head, South Carolina in November 1984. He was married to stage actress Mary Mathews from 1951 until his death in 1984.

Filmography