What a life that Burt Mustin lived. He didn’t start acting until he was 67 and he appeared in over 150 film and television productions. I first remembered him as Gus in Leave it to Beaver, Judd in The Andy Griffith Show, Bonanza, The Monkees, Gomer Pyle…the list is too long. He was also at the first World Series in 1903 to root on his hometown team, The Pittsburgh Pirates playing against the Boston Red Sox.
Burt was born on February 8, 1884, in Pittsburgh. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Military College in 1903 with a degree in engineering, Mustin became a car salesman. It was a rather new profession. He also worked for the Better Business Bureau, Mustin dabbled in amateur acting and singing. He belonged to the Barbershop Harmony Society and popped up in productions by the Pittsburgh Opera.
Mustin and his wife eventually retired to Arizona. In Tucson, the retiree took in a role in a local production of the play Detective Story. William Wyler — who would go on to direct Ben-Hur, Roman Holiday and Funny Girl — happened to catch the show and offered Mustin a role in his screen adaptation of Detective Story.
Thus, Burt Mustin made his screen debut at the age of 67 in 1951 and acted until he died in 1977 at the age of 92.
Below is Burt… on the Johnny Carson show talking about being at the first World Series.
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He was one of the Mayberry-ites on “The Andy Griffith Show.” Funny guy.
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It seems like every show I watched when I was a kid…he was on it… he was a funny guy.
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Every one knew him as the guy in that thing. Not many knew his name though
Thanks for sharing his story
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What a cool story about a cool guy. I always pictured him being like my grandpa – telling stories to anyone who’d listen and that’s what he does in that clip! Certainly one of those great character actors!
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On Johnny Carson was more alive than I am lol at 90. I think he was in every show of my childhood
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I remember him from The Twilight Zone. Interesting that he (played?) in the first World Series.
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Wow! What a cool story. And funny coincidence too, I saw him in something (right now I can’t remember…think it might have been an old ‘Emergency’ I had on in the background) and thought to myself, ‘that guy was everywhere in old TV and movies’ but didn’t know who he was. Nor that he was once a baseball star!
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The guy was in everything back then…starting at 67 is not bad.
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amazing actually! I guess it’s evidence of the theory it’s never too late to start following your dream…
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I remember him on All In The Family. I even remember his character name, Bert Quigley. I did look it up on Google to see how they spelled it.
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He was in everything. The Johnny Carson spot is worth a listen. He had more energy than most 40 year olds.
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I messed up. His characters first name on All In The Family was Justin not Bert but I did remember the characters last name. Google did not help.
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It gave me goosebumps watching him on Johnny Carson then. His clarity of memory was impressive. Starting so late in life and being in that many shows is impressive. I remember him well but like someone else said didn’t know his name.
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One of those faces you immediately recognize but name escapes you–always played a bit part but memorable one.
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I kept seeing him in everything and I ran across this Johnny Carson spot about being at the first World Series which was pretty cool. The guy had some energy for a 90-year-old.
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I remember him in All In The Family- as a Mr. Quigley–or something like that.
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Cool.
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Fascinating life story. Had never heard of him!
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I’ve seen him in so many of the old 60s and 70s tv shows but never knew his name.
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