Quick Facts
Biography
George Alan Cleveland (September 17, 1885 – July 15, 1957) was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in more than 180 films between 1933 and 1954.
Early years
Cleveland was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Film
Cleveland moved to Hollywood in 1936 and went on to work in films via acting, producing and directing.
Television
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 (Jan Clayton), and grandfather of Lassie's owner, Jeff (Tommy Rettig). Cleveland appeared in the first three seasons (1954–1956) and in the first 12 episodes of the fourth season (1957). His death in July 1957 was written into the 13th episode of the fourth season (1957) and became the storyline motive for the selling of the farm and the departure of the Millers for Capitol City.
Death
Cleveland died of a heart attack on July 15, 1957, in Burbank, California at age 71. He was survived by his wife, Dorothy Melick Cleveland.
Selected filmography
- Blue Steel (1934)
- The Man from Utah (1934)
- Flash Gordon (1936)
- Revolt of the Zombies (1936)
- Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island (1936)
- Adventure's End (1937)
- The Lone Ranger (1938)
- Rose of the Rio Grande (1938)
- The Phantom Stage (1939)
- Queen of the Yukon (1940)
- Pioneers of the West (1940)
- The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)
- The Spoilers (1942)
- The Big Street (1942)
- Obliging Young Lady (1942)
- Seven Miles from Alcatraz (1942)
- Pillow of Death (1945)
- Song of the Sarong (1945)
- Dakota (1945)
- Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
- Little Giant (1946)
- Courage of Lassie (1946) as Old Man, Bill's original owner
- The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947)
- Albuquerque (1948)
- Rimfire (1949)
- Fort Defiance (1951)
- Carson City (1952)
- Walking My Baby Back Home (1953)
- Racing Blood (1954)