Keene Curtis


Keene Holbrook Curtis was an American character actor.

Early life

Curtis was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Polley Francella, a teacher, and Ira Charles Curtis, a railway and civil service employee. He attended Davis High School and the University of Utah. In 1943, he was recognized by Theta Alpha Phi national honorary dramatic society as the university's outstanding actor.

Film

Curtis made his film debut in the 1948 Orson Welles' adaptation of Macbeth. Additional film credits included American Hot Wax, Rabbit Test, The Buddy System, I.Q., Heaven Can Wait, Sliver, and Richie Rich's Christmas Wish.
Curtis was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Theatre work

Curtis' theatrical career began in 1955 as a Broadway stage manager. His first appearance as a performer was in a 1965 revival of You Can't Take It with You. In 1971, he was awarded the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Rothschilds. Additional Broadway credits included The Cherry Orchard, A Patriot for Me, Via Galactica, Annie, Night Watch and La Cage aux Folles. He was a member of the Stratford Festival of Canada acting company in 1981, playing Sir George Thunder in Wild Oats.

Television work

Curtis had a recurring role playing John Allen Hill, the owner of Melville's Restaurant in Cheers and as a wealthy banker on the short-lived Bea Arthur vehicle, Amanda's. His many television credits include The Magician as quirky columnist Max Pomeroy opposite Bill Bixby, Gypsy starring Bette Midler and appearances on:

Animation work

For the animated series ', he voiced the character the Pastmaster. He also provided the voice of Grand Moff Tarkin for the radio adaptation of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, but may have been best known for voicing "Lord Balthazar" in The Smurfs from 1981-89.
He also used his voice talents for other cartoon shows including The Little Mermaid, The Dukes, The Scooby & Scrappy-Doo/Puppy Hour, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures, Trollkins, The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda, ', Denver, the Last Dinosaur, The Snorks, The Jetsons, Space Stars, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, The Herculoids, Fantastic Max, Paddington Bear, The Centurions, Kissyfur, Mother Goose and Grimm, The Hot Rod Dogs and Cool Car Cats and Bonkers.

Death

Curtis died from complications from Alzheimer's disease in a Bountiful, Utah nursing home, aged 79, and was buried at Bountiful Memorial Park.