Celebrity Deathwatch: Ray Walston, Actor, 86

["Deathwatch Central" <cdw@slick.org>]

http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/02/obit.walston/index.html

Actor Ray Walston dead at age 86

January 2, 2001
Web posted at: 1:53 PM EST (1853 GMT)


Beverly Hills, California (CNN) -- Award-winning character actor Ray
Walston, who donned antennas to become Uncle Martin on the 1960s TV sitcom
"My Favorite Martian," died Monday. He was 86.

Walston, whose character gave space aliens a benign face in the 1963-66
series, died of natural causes at his Beverly Hills home with his wife at
his side, said his agent.

Walston was known for stage and film work as well as his appearances on the
small screen.

He won a Tony in 1956 for his performance as the devil in the Broadway show
"Damn Yankees." Memorable film roles included his portrayal as an unfaithful
insurance executive in "The Apartment" (1960), and his only starring role in
"Kiss Me, Stupid" (1964), with Dean Martin and Kim Novak. He also appeared
as a teacher in 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

Walston won two Emmys, in 1995 and 1996, for his recurring role on the TV
show "Picket Fences." His last appeared on TV in 1999 on an episode of CBS'
"Touched By An Angel."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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