Patrick Cranshaw
FORT WORTH, TEXAS--Veteran character actor Patrick Cranshaw, who
gained something of a following as the result of his portrayal of
fraternity brother "Blue" in the 2003 comedy "Old School," died at his
home here Dec. 28th of natural causes. He was 86. MSTies might remember
the small role he played early in his career as a security guard in the
movie in episode 623- THE AMAZING TRANSPARENT MAN.
A native of Bartlesville, Okla., he was a born performer: At age five
he was tap-dancing for the Fort Worth Women's Club. In his 20s he was
delivering newspapers by day, while working for a couple of Dallas
acting troupes at night.
He got to L.A. in an unusual way--actress Diana Barrymore was stranded
in town, having lost her driver.
"They needed somebody to help them drive back to California," he said
in a recent interview, "so I picked up the phone, called the hotel they
were staying at, and got the job."
Once on the west coast, he began going to auditions and his distinctive
looks got him noticed. His movie career began in earnest in the early
1960s, and included roles in such films as "Bonnie and Clyde," "Pee-Wee's
Big Adventure," "The Hudsucker Proxy" and recently in "Best in Show"
and "Herbie: Fully Loaded." He appeared on dozens of TV series, from
"Green Acres" and "The Bob Newhart Show" to "Monk" and "Dead Last." He
had recurring roles on "Mork And Mindy," "The Ted Knight Show," "Dukes
Of Hazzard" and "Alice."
He is survived by two daughters and one son.
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