Biography
Alfred Drake (born Alfred Capurro, 7 October 1914 – 25 July 1992) was an American actor and singer. He began his Broadway career while a student at Brooklyn College and went on to create leading roles in the original productions of Oklahoma! (1943), Kiss Me, Kate (1948) and Kismet (1953), winning a Tony Award for the last of these.
Drake was primarily a stage performer, though he appeared in a small number of films and television productions. His film credits include Tars and Spars (1946) and the role of President of the Exchange in Trading Places (1983). He also provided the voice of the Great Ak in the animated television film The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1985).
He was a noted Shakespearean actor, playing Claudius in a 1964 filmed stage production of Hamlet and Benedick opposite Katharine Hepburn in Much Ado About Nothing.
