Ken Osmond
Ken Osmond | |
---|---|
Born | Kenneth Charles Osmond June 7, 1943 Glendale, California, U.S. |
Died | May 18, 2020 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 76)
Occupation(s) | Actor, police officer |
Years active | 1952–2016 (actor) 1970–1988 (police officer) |
Spouse |
Sandra Purdy (m. 1969) |
Children | 2 |
Kenneth Charles Osmond (June 7, 1943 – May 18, 2020) was an American actor and police officer. Beginning a career as a child actor at the age of four, Osmond played the role of
Early life
Osmond was born in Glendale, California, the son of Pearl (Hand) and Thurman Osmond.[1][2][3] His father was a carpenter and propmaker and his mother, whom he described as "a typical movie mother," had ambitions to get him and his brother, Dayton, into acting.[2][4] Osmond began going on professional auditions at the age of four, and began working in commercials.[2] His mother took her sons to acting classes every day after school; he eventually studied dance, drama, diction, dialects, martial arts, and equestrian riding.[2]
Career
Early years
Osmond began in feature films working as an extra. The first he remembered was an appearance in the film Plymouth Adventure with Spencer Tracy and Gene Tierney.[2] He had his first speaking part at age 9, a small role in the film So Big starring Jane Wyman and Sterling Hayden.[2]
He continued to appear in small roles in feature films such as
In 1959, Osmond played 16-year-old "Tommy" in the episode "Dead Aim" of the
Osmond made a guest appearance, in 1964, on Petticoat Junction. He was in the episode "The Genghis Keane Story", as Harold Boggs.[5]
Leave It to Beaver
In the fall of 1957, 14-year-old Osmond was called into a typical "cattle call" audition to read for the role for which he became most identified, that of Wally Cleaver's best (and worst) friend, Eddie Haskell, on the family sitcom Leave It to Beaver.[2][4] After a series of call-backs to narrow down the field, Osmond eventually landed the role.[2] The character of Eddie was originally intended to be a "one shot" guest appearance, but those involved with the show were impressed with Osmond's portrayal, and Eddie Haskell eventually became a memorable character on the series throughout its entire six-season run.[2][4] He appeared in 97 of the series' 235 episodes.
Osmond's portrayal of Eddie Haskell became a cultural reference and archetype for the "behind-your-back" rebel. Teenager Eddie Haskell was polite and obsequious to grownups, but derided adults' social conventions behind their backs. He was constantly trying to involve his friends in activities that would get them into trouble. Parents like Ward and June Cleaver hoped Eddie wouldn't be a model to their children but rather someone to point out as an example of what not to do. Even today, the term "Eddie Haskell" is known to refer to an insincere flatterer or a sycophant.[6]
During the final years of the show, Osmond was in the
Typecast
After Leave It to Beaver ended in 1963, Osmond continued to make occasional appearances on such television series as
Law enforcement
In 1970, Osmond joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and grew a mustache in an effort to remain relatively anonymous among average citizens, although not his co-workers.[2][8][9] He worked as a motorcycle officer.[10][11]
On September 20, 1980, Osmond was struck by three bullets while in a foot chase with a suspected car thief.
Urban legends
In the early 1970s, a story was widely reported that Osmond had become rock star Alice Cooper.[6] According to Cooper, the rumor began when a college newspaper editor asked him what kind of kid he was, to which Cooper replied, "I was obnoxious, disgusting, a real Eddie Haskell." However, the story ended up reporting that Cooper was the real Eddie Haskell.[6] Cooper would later tell the New Times, "It was the biggest rumor that ever came out about me. Finally, I got a T-shirt that said 'No, I am not Eddie Haskell.' But people still believed it."[6]
Another widely reported urban legend of the 1970s was that Osmond had grown up to become adult film star John Holmes.[18][19][20] The story apparently began when fan magazines falsely reported that Osmond had embarked on such a career.[21] The rumor was dispelled when a Los Angeles movie theater lit up its marquee advertising "Eddie Haskell of TV in 'Behind the Green Door' – X-rated", prompting Osmond himself, then an LAPD officer, to go to the theater to request that the manager remove his character's name from the marquee.[21] Osmond testified at his disability hearing in 1986 that in 1971 he was called into LAPD Internal Affairs and asked to disrobe to prove he was not John Holmes.[16]
In the early 1980s, Osmond sued an
Return to acting
In 1983, Osmond appeared as a game show participant and celebrity guest star on the
In 1987, Osmond was honored by the
Personal life
In 1969, Osmond married Sandra Purdy.[2][31] They had two sons, Eric E. Osmond and Christian S. Osmond.[2][4][26] Following his retirement from the police force, Osmond handled rental properties in
On September 18, 2007, Osmond filed a class action lawsuit against the Screen Actors Guild, alleging that SAG had collected $8 million in foreign residuals for U.S. actors but had not distributed them to the actors.[32][33][34]
In August 2011, Osmond began appearing as a celebrity spokesman for St. Joseph Aspirin.[35]
Osmond was the co-author, along with Christopher J. Lynch, of the book Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy, which was published in September 2014. The foreword was written by Jerry Mathers.[36]
Death
Osmond died at his home in Los Angeles on May 18, 2020, at age 76, from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and peripheral artery disease.[3][30][37] News of his death was first announced by his son Eric in a statement through Osmond's representative.[30]
Filmography
Films
- Plymouth Adventure (1952) – Child on Mayflower (uncredited)
- So Big (1953) – Young Eugene (uncredited)
- Good Morning, Miss Dove (1955) – Tommy Baker – Age 9 (uncredited)
- Everything But the Truth(1956) – Oren Cunningham (uncredited)
- C'mon, Let's Live a Little (1967) – The Beard
- With Six You Get Eggroll (1968) – Duke (uncredited)
- Dead Women in Lingerie (1991) – David
- Leave It to Beaver (1997) – Eddie Sr.
- Desperation Boulevard (1998) – Himself
- Characterz (2016) – Daniel (final film role)
TV
- Screen Directors Playhouse (1 episode, 1955) – Henry Raglund
- Lassie (2 episodes, 1955-1967) – Motorcyclist / Ralph / Delivery Boy
- Annie Oakley (1 episode, 1956) – Scotty
- Circus Boy (1 episode, 1956) – Skinny
- Fury (1956-1957) – Kenny / Johnny
- Letter to Loretta(1 episode, 1957) – Peter
- The Walter Winchell File (1 episode, 1957) – Joel Marisch
- Official Detective (1 episode, 1957) – Henry (uncredited)
- Telephone Time (1 episode, 1957) – Charlie Sharp
- Colt .45 (1 episode, 1957) – Tommy
- The Jack Benny Program (1 episode, 1957) – Newspaper Boy
- Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963) – Eddie Haskell
- Wagon Train (1 episode, 1958) – Tommy Jenkins
- Petticoat Junction (Season 1/Episode 38; 1964) – Harold Boggs
- The Munsters (1 episode; 1966) – John
- Still the Beaver(1983, TV Movie) – Eddie Haskell
- Happy Days (1 episode; 1983) – Freddie Bascomb
- High School U.S.A. (1984, TV Movie) – Baxter Franklin
- Rags to Riches(1 episode; 1983)
- Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1 episode; 1991) – Eddie Haskell
- Hi Honey, I'm Home(1 episode; 1992) – Eddie Haskell
References
- ^ "California Births, 1905–1995 – Kenneth Charles Osmond". FamilyTreeLegends.com. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Stu Shostak Interview with Ken Osmond & Frank Bank". The Stu Show. March 5, 2008.
- ^ a b Seelye, Katharine Q. (May 18, 2020). "Ken Osmond, Troublemaker Eddie Haskell on 'Beaver,' Dies at 76". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "'The Beaver' Is Returning". Herald-Journal. March 16, 1983.
- ISBN 9781476610245.
- ^ a b c d Alex Ben Block (January 6, 1975). "Cooper's comedy mocks system". The Miami News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
- ^ Hixon, Michael (October 15, 2014). "Return of Eddie Haskell: Ken Osmond signs his memoir at Barnes & Noble Oct. 18". The Beach Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ "The O'Reilly Factor Flash". BillOReilly.com. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ a b c "No pension for "Eddie"". The Milwaukee Journal. November 7, 1986.[dead link]
- ^ "TV Series Altered Lives of 'Beaver' and Brother". The Victoria Advocate. August 3, 1977.
- ^ "Wally & Beaver just glad to be working". The Deseret News. February 14, 1980.
- ^ a b "Ex-TV Actor Saved By Bulletproof Vest". The New York Times. September 20, 1980.
- ^ a b "Ken Osmond receives LAPD pension". Daily News of Los Angeles. June 8, 1988.
- ^ Jery Buck (November 16, 1982). "'Leave it to Beaver' is 1980s cult show". The Miami News.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jon Burlingame (November 11, 1992). "'Top Cops' delves entertaining officers". The Spokesman-Review.
- ^ a b Welkos, Robert W. (November 7, 1986). "Board Rejects Police Pension for TV Actor". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "NewsLibrary Search Results". nl.newsbank.com.
- ^ Jim Tripoli (September 9, 1974). "John Holmes is Ken Osmond". Beaver County Times.
- ^ James Brown (May 21, 1980). "'Leave it to Beaver' casts shadow over actors". Anchorage Daily News.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Viewers still love 'Beaver'". Boca Raton News. June 15, 1982.
- ^ a b Marilyn and Hy Gardner (April 24, 1977). "Glad You Asked That!". Youngstown Vindicator.
- ^ "Osmond v. EWAP, Inc. (1984)". Justia Law.
- ^ "Together Again". Observer-Reporter. December 13, 1982.
- ^ a b "Disney Channel Brings Back Cleavers". Miami Herald. May 3, 1984.
- ^ Kathy O'Malley (October 26, 1988). "Old Cast Is Family Again". Chicago Tribune.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Ed Bark (December 2, 1984). "Eddie Haskell's son best new (two) face on Disney's 'Beaver'". Dallas Morning News.
- ^ Andrew J. Edelstein (July 13, 1986). "Cable channels plan more comedy". Gadsden Times.
- ^ "9th Annual Youth In Film's Special Awards". YoungArtistAwards.org. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- ^ Jerry Buck (October 16, 1983). "Former Child Stars Meet Young Dazzlers". Youngstown Vindicator.
- ^ a b c Reed, Anika (May 18, 2020). "'Leave It to Beaver' actor Ken Osmond, known for role as Eddie Haskell, dies at 76". USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ "California Marriage Index 1960–1985 – Kenneth Charles Osmond". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- ^ "Ken Osmond sues SAG interview with Jamie Colby of FoxNews". YouTube.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
- ^ Leslie Simmons (September 19, 2007). "'Beaver' actor sues SAG". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 23, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2009.
- ^ Dave McNary (August 24, 2011). "Thesps urge probe into SAG foreign tax revs". Variety.
- ^ "St. Joseph Aspirin > Meet Ken Osmond". StJosephAspirin.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- ^ "KenOsmondBook". Genesis Creations Entertainment. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ McNary, Dave (May 18, 2020). "Ken Osmond, 'Leave It to Beaver' Star Who Played Eddie Haskell, Dies at 76". Variety. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
Further reading
- Osmond, Ken. Eddie: The Life and Times of America's Preeminent Bad Boy. 2014 (ISBN 0990727300)
External links
- Ken Osmond at IMDb
- Ken Osmond at TVGuide.com
- Ken Osmond at TVLand.com