Leon Alton
In the 1930s he started out on the Broadway stage appearing in various musicals which lasted until the early 1940s. Then like many Broadway actors and dancers, he seemingly drifted his way to Hollywood where he was able to use his talents as a dancer to appear in many party scenes in a suit dancing in some of the most well known films.
Like many dancers though, that was only part of their work as they could not survive on musicals alone and by the mid 1950s musicals started to lose their popularity so he had to find work elsewhere He was never unemployed long.
Alton's appearance was ideal for bankers, or distinguished townsman, or whatever was needed. By the late 1950s, he was able to secure some roles in which he received screen credit in shows like Bat Masterson, Tombstone Territory, and Lock-Up all while still appearing at the usual party scenes or the social gatherings.
By the 1960s his career was still going strong as he still found work in the usual places and managed to appear in several well known movies like True Grit, The Cheyenne Social Club, and Airport and appearing in most of the well known television shows of the time.
His career wound down by the 1970s and while his name won't garner the attention or recognition to film audiences of today, most casting directors could tell you it was a name that should be respected and could be depended on.
Filmography (100 Appearances)
Now You See Him, Now You Don't
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Columbo
The Partridge Family
Watermelon Man
Tora! Tora! Tora!
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
The Love God?
True Grit
Daddy's Gone A-Hunting
Sweet Charity
The Love Bug
Hellfighters
Funny Girl
Star!
Never a Dull Moment
Yours, Mine and Ours
Blackbeard's Ghost
How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life
Banning
Divorce American Style
Warning Shot
Batman
Our Man Flint
Batman
Do Not Disturb
The Cincinnati Kid
Get Smart
Ship of Fools
The Great Race
Brainstorm
Two on a Guillotine
Youngblood Hawke
Kisses for My President
Looking for Love
Marnie
What a Way to Go!
The Best Man
The Incredible Mr. Limpet
A Global Affair
The Wheeler Dealers
Take Her, She's Mine
Twilight of Honor
Burke's Law
Arrest and Trial
The Thrill of It All
Critic's Choice
Days of Wine and Roses
Period of Adjustment
Advise & Consent
The Notorious Landlady
Sergeants 3
Tender Is the Night
Babes in Toyland
Go Naked in the World
Cimarron
Inherit the Wind
Who Was That Lady?
The Untouchables
Bourbon Street Beat
The Twilight Zone
Bonanza
The Tingler
Holiday for Lovers
The Last Hurrah
Bell, Book and Candle
Party Girl
Alcoa Theatre
Perry Mason
The Young Stranger
Hollywood or Bust
Somebody Up There Likes Me
The Swan
Forever, Darling
The Killer Is Loose
Illegal
Cheyenne
Three for the Show
New York Confidential
Désirée
Phffft
A Star Is Born
Executive Suite
Lucky Me
Knock on Wood
Dangerous When Wet
The Juggler
Small Town Girl
The Mississippi Gambler
The Iron Mistress
Les Miserables
Sirocco
Cry Danger
The Iroquois Trail
Destination Murder
Alias Nick Beal
Caught
So You Want to Be a Salesman
Desperate
College Holiday