Famed Actor and War Hero Eddie Albert Dies at Age 99

Most fans of Eddie Albert never knew that he began his career at the circus. As a child he was a circus trapeze flier and gave song recitals before becoming a stage and radio actor. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he made his film debut in 1938 and worked steadily thereafter, usually playing the good-natured, affable buddy to the star of the movie. Albert died of pneumonia Thursday at his home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. He was surrounded by his longtime caregivers and his son, actor Edward Albert. Albert was 99.

Albert’s light –hearted portrayals of friendly, sometimes perplexed fellows made him a fan favorite in movies and television during his expansive acting career spanning over 50 years. His greatest fame was achieved when he played Oliver Douglas on television’s "Green Acres" from 1965 to 1971. The surreal but hilarious show featured a New York lawyer who moved out of the urban sprawl with his glamorous wife, played by Eva Gabor into a rural town populated by oddball characters. The seemingly ageless, entertaining actor also had memorable roles in many movies, including "Roman Holiday," and "The Heartbreak Kid," for which he was nominated for Academy Awards. His other films included the original version of "The Longest Yard," in which he starred as the prison warden.

Albert was a regular favorite on television after his "Green Acres" run, starring in such shows as "Falcon Crest" and "Switch." He also made many guest appearances on such shows as "The Twilight Zone," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "The Outer Limits," "Kung Fu," and "The Beverly Hillbillies," among others. In recent years, Albert provided the voice for Vulture/Adrian Toomes in the "Spider-Man" animated TV series. According to the Internet Movie Database, Albert's last live-action performance came in the television movie "The Barefoot Executive" in 1995.

Fans of Eddie Albert may know him the best as a well-loved face on television and movie screens, but he was also an honored war hero and a tireless spokesman for environmental issues. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, and fought in the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, which was known as one of the bloodiest battles in the history of WWII and the U.S. Marine Corps. Albert is credited with braving enemy fire during 26 rescue missions, where he saved wounded Marines and brought them out of the line of fire. Because of his heroism, he was awarded the Bronze Star with a combat ‘V’ for saving the lives of 70 soldiers. He spoke about his war experiences on several television documentaries. In the 1960s and ‘70s, Albert became interested in working with environmental causes and groups, serving as a tireless ambassador for causes to save the planet. Because of his work, when International Earth Day was created, it was decided that the day should be celebrated on April 22 because that is Eddie Albert’s birthday. Not only did Albert provide millions of people millions of laughs and tears, he saved the lives of dozens of American soldiers and worked to save the planet. He was a hero in every sense of the word.