Gale Gordon

 Gale Gordon, born Charles Thomas Aldrich, Jr. (February 20, 1906 – June 30, 1995)

He is perhaps best remembered as Lucille Ball's longtime television foil—and particularly as cantankerously combustible, tightfisted bank executive Theodore J. Mooney on The Lucy Show. Gordon also had starring roles in Ball's third series Here's Lucy and her short-lived fourth series Life with Lucy. In 1950, Gordon played John Granby in the radio series Granby's Green Acres, which became the basis for the 1960s television series, Green Acres. Gordon went on to create the role of pompous principal Osgood Conklin on Our Miss Brooks, carrying the role to television when the show moved there in 1952. Gordon and Ball had previously worked together on The Wonder Show, starring Jack Haley, from 1938–39. The two had a long friendship as well as recurring professional partnership. He was the original choice to play Fred Mertz on I love Lucy, but due to the commitment to Our Miss Brooks, he was unable to fill the role. Gordon died of lung cancer on June 30, 1995 at age 89.