Biography
Charles Lane (born Charles Gerstle Levison; 26 January 1905 – 9 July 2007) was an American character actor. He made his film debut in an uncredited role in Smart Money (1931) and went on to appear in more than 250 films and numerous television series across a career spanning more than seven decades.
His early uncredited work included the part of a society reporter in Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933). Later film roles included Whitlow in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966). He appeared in several films directed by Frank Capra, among them You Can't Take It with You (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). On television he had recurring roles in series including Bewitched and Petticoat Junction.
Lane was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild. His final performance was in 2006.
