Hugh Reilly

Hugh Reilly (October 30, 1915 – July 17, 1998)

He is best remembered for co-starring from 1958 to 1964 as the father, Paul Martin, in the CBS television series, Lassie. His Broadway credits include Fair Game (1957), Dear Charles (1954), Never Say Never (1951), Second Threshold (1950), and The Curious Savage (1950). Reilly worked many early television anthology series. His first screen appearance was in the 1949 episode "The Flying Gerardos" of Kraft Television Theatre. He subsequently was cast in Robert Montgomery Presents (1950-1955), The Ford Television Theatre (1951), Broadway Television Theatre (1953), Armstrong Circle Theatre (1953-1957), Appointment with Adventure (twice in1955), The Alcoa Hour (1956), Crossroads (as host of the 1956 episode "Through the Window"), The United States Steel Hour (1958). Following his stint with Lassie, Reilly was offered the role of The Professor on Gilligan's Island but declined, preferring to spend time with his family and performing in theater. He worked television off and on through the 1970s. He was cast on CBS's The Edge of Night soap opera from 1971 to 1973. He appeared in one episode each on ABC's The F.B.I. in 1967 and on NBC's Father Murphy in 1982. Reilly died on July 17, 1998 of emphysema, age 82. He is buried at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills.