By Steve Crum
A belated birthday note to the late Hans Conried, who was born April 15. The great character actor, mainly comic character actor, is well known for his work on The Danny Thomas Show, Fractured Flickers, his voice work on Jay Ward’s animated classics, and various movies and TV shows.In 1967, I was fortunate to see him live on the Kansas State Teachers College stage (Albert Taylor Hall) in the light comedy, Absence of a Cello. Ruth McDevitt and Florida Friebus (the mom on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) co-starred. He toured with Absence after its Broadway run. What a wonderful, hilarious evening at the theatre.
Conried died of a massive heart attack on Jan. 5, 1982 at the relatively young age of 64.