AncientFaces Your browser does not support JavaScript!
Please enable JavaScript to view the entire contents of this page.

Murray Matheson 1912 - 1985

Murray Matheson of Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, CA was born on July 1, 1912, and died at age 72 years old on April 25, 1985.

Murray Matheson

Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, CA 90405

July 1, 1912

April 25, 1985

Male

Looking for another Murray Matheson?

Murray Matheson Murray Matheson (1912 - 1985)

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Murray.

Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.

Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...

Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Murray Matheson's History: 1912 - 1985

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.

- Discover how AncientFaces works.

Introduction

Sidney Murray Matheson was an U.S.-based Australian actor. He appeared on stage and in films and television programs until 1983. Born: July 1, 1912, Casterton, Australia Died: April 25, 1985, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, CA
07/1

1912

Birthday

July 1, 1912

Birthdate

Unknown

Birthplace

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Military Service

Served in the RAF of course.
Professional Career

Murray Matheson, Biography Born July 1, 1912 in Casterton, Victoria, Australia Died April 25, 1985 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name Sidney Murray Matheson Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Urbane, grey-eyed, silver-haired Australian-born character actor, notable for his smooth manner and clipped upper-class English diction. A grazier's son, Matheson first worked as a clerk in a bank in Geelong, Victoria. However, his overriding ambition to become an actor caused him to abscond to Melbourne, where he eventually joined the Little Theatre and spent two years being trained by the celebrated actress Ada Reeve. He made his theatrical debut at His Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in 1934 and then spent a year with touring companies, afterwards making the inevitable move to England. Matheson's first appearance on the London stage was in the 1937 revue "And On We Go", followed by performances in "Oscar Wilde" and "Candida". In the course of many years, he became a prolific interpreter of roles in plays by Noël Coward. In 1940, Matheson's acting career was put on hold by wartime service as an intelligence officer in the RAF, attached to the British Embassy in Moscow. His screen career took off after a post-war move to Canada. Initially cast in radio and TV productions, Matheson was signed by Paramount to play a convict clergyman in the 18th century seafaring drama Botany Bay (1952). In between the numerous TV assignments which followed, Matheson had featured billing in several other Hollywood pictures, including King of the Khyber Rifles (1953), Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955) and Signpost to Murder (1964). However, he became most familiar to 1960's and 70's TV audiences as a regular guest star, equally versed in playing civilized, benevolent authority figures or crooks of the 'polite, yet deadly' variety. His most cherished performances may well include the evil KAOS mastermind Cedric Devonshire of Get Smart (1965); the alien Dr. Reynard, heading an indoctrination facility for The Invaders (1967); a discarded clown, one of "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" from The Twilight Zone (1959); and the antiquarian Felix Mulholland, owner of Mulholland's Rare Books & Prints and purveyor of information to Banacek (1972) (a recurring role for which he had signed a six-months contract). Matheson also remained true to his roots in legitimate theatre, occasionally appearing in modern plays at the Pasadena Playhouse and other West Coast venues. He died in April 1985 at the age of seventy-two in Los Angeles. Family (2) Parents Murray Matheson, Kenneth Barrett, Ethel S. Relatives Roma Matheson (sibling) He once served in the RAF. Matheson's last appearance was in the "Kick the Can" segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983). His first feature film was a small role in Johnny in the Clouds (1945). Murray also played the captain in the Frank Sinatra film Assault on a Queen (1966). Murray Matheson is most known for playing The Clown in the memorable 1961 Twilight Zone episode The Twilight Zone: Five Characters in Search of an Exit (1961). Murray was astounding in his role and had most of the screen time. He was a funny and intelligent clown and the audience really cared for his character. Father: Kenneth Murray Matheson; Mother Ethel S. Barrett.
Personal Life & Family

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1945 The Way to the Stars Joe Lawson 1945 Journey Together Lancaster Crew 1946 School for Secrets Wing Cdr. Allen 1948 The Secret Tunnel Mr. Henderson 1949 The Fool and the Princess Graham Ballard 1952 Hurricane Smith Dr. Whitmore 1952 Plymouth Adventure Christopher Martin Uncredited 1952 Botany Bay Rev. Mortimer Thynne 1953 Jamaica Run Inspector Mole 1953 Flight to Tangier Franz Kovac 1953 King of the Khyber Rifles Maj. Ian MacAllister 1954 The Bamboo Prison Comrade Clayton 1955 Love is a Many-Splendored Thing Dr. John Keith 1961 The Twilight Zone Clown Episode: Five Characters in Search of an Exit 1962 The Notorious Landlady Neighbour Uncredited 1963 Wall of Noise Jack Matlock 1963 The Fugitive Earl Morehead Episode: "Ticket to Alaska" 1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Charles Justin Episode: "Murder Case" 1964 Signpost to Murder Dr. Graham 1966 Assault on a Queen Captain 1967 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Benjamin Ovington 1968 Star! Bankruptcy Judge Uncredited 1968 In Enemy Country Uncredited 1969 Explosion Owner of Jaguar 1972 A Fan's Notes Clarke Institute doctor 1973 Arnold Lord Arnold Dwellyn Voice, Uncredited 1978 Rabbit Test Dr. Mario Lowell 1978 Battlestar Galactica Specter Episode: "The Young Lords" Voice, Uncredited 1978 Battlestar Galactica Statesman Geller Episode: "Greetings From Earth" 1982 The Facts of Life Prof. Henry Clayton Episode: "September Song" 1983 Twilight Zone: The Movie Mr. Agee (segment "Kick the Can")
04/25

1985

Death

April 25, 1985

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Unknown
Death location

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Obituary

Actor Murray Matheson Dies at Age 73 BY BURT A. FOLKART APRIL 26, 1985 12 AM PT TIMES STAFF WRITER Murray Matheson, the silver-haired, distinguished actor who portrayed a series of patricians on stages around the world and appeared in a handful of films and television shows, died Thursday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills. The soft-spoken, Australian-born Matheson was 73 and died of apparent heart failure. Born the son of a grazier, he first appeared in little theater in Melbourne in 1933, marking the beginning of a dramatic career that eventually took him around the world. Known for his portrayals of stern characters, sometimes bent on larceny or even murder, he with equal facility could become Julius Caesar in “Antony and Cleopatra” or Captain Hook in “Peter Pan.” London Debut in 1937 He toured with Australian national companies until 1935 when he moved to London, making his debut there in a revue, “And On We Go,” in 1937. Within two years he had toured in “Oscar Wilde” and “Candida” and then returned to musical revues for “Band Wagon” at the Palladium in 1939. Matheson served in the Royal Air Force from 1940 to 1945 and for three years was attached to the British Embassy in Moscow. After the war, he again concentrated on the lighter side of his talents, touring England in such revues as “Better Late” and Canada in “The Drunkard.” Matheson made his film debut in 1939 in J. Arthur Rank’s “Way to the Stars.” He first appeared in an American picture in 1952 in the little-remembered “Hurricane Smith” but obtained featured billing the following year in “Botany Bay,” a convict-ship thriller that starred James Mason and Alan Ladd. Last Movie in 1983 He quickly made “King of the Khyber Rifles,” “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and a few more. His last screen appearance was in 1983 as Mr. Agee in the second segment of “Twilight Zone--The Movie,” the Steven Spielberg adaptation of the television series. Matheson never left legitimate theater, however, moving from television roles on “Studio One” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” to UCLA where he appeared in “Yeats and Company,” a retrospective of the Irish writer’s poems and plays. In TV Shows From 1972 to 1974 he portrayed Felix Mulholland in the TV detective drama “Banacek” and also was seen in guest appearances on “Charlie’s Angels,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “McCloud” and “Vegas.” He also appeared throughout his career in nearly all the Noel Coward repertory. He was at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center in 1966 as Von Mark in “The Student Prince” and at the Pasadena Playhouse for “Lock Up Your Daughters” in 1968. One of his last stage performances was as Dr. Theodore Holley in the world premiere of the musical “The Charlatan” at the Mark Taper Forum in 1974. He leaves no immediate survivors.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

Join 2 others
who remember Murray

Select options below to share special moments.

Ethnicity & Family History Nationality & Locations Early Life & Education Baptism Religious Beliefs Gravesite & Burial Add Memory Add Photo Ask others to share

Share what you remember.
Ask what you wish to know.
Connect to discover more.
Advertisement
Did you know?

Murray Matheson lived 2 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 72.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

9 Memories, Stories & Photos about Murray

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/25/2022

Murray Matheson

Felix on BANACEK.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/25/2022

Murray Matheson

Character Actor..

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/26/2022

Murray Matheson

Had a long career as a character Actor in the USA.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/26/2022

He served in the RAF.

In uniform.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Very BRITISH with no trace of an Australian accent,

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/26/2022

Very BRITISH with no trace of an Australian accent,

Very talented.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/26/2022

Character Actor.

The Fugitive.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.7k+ favorites

06/26/2022

Murray Matheson.

Very dashing.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

Comments

Sherry Vogan

30 favorites

06/26/2022

AHH HAA!! I knew it!! I just found the obituary

Comments

Sherry Vogan

30 favorites

06/26/2022

Not only does his pic look like a “still photo” from a movie, but he look like someone I’ve seen in a movie. Plus living in Santa Monica, California???

Comments