Biography
Sheldon Leonard, born Sheldon Leonard Bershad, was an American actor, producer, director and writer. He specialised in supporting roles as gangsters or heavies in films including Another Thin Man (1939), To Have and Have Not (1944) as Lt. Coyo, It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Nick the bartender, Guys and Dolls (1955) as Harry the Horse and Pocketful of Miracles (1961).
After graduating from Syracuse University in 1929, Leonard began in theatre before establishing himself in Hollywood. He also appeared on radio, notably as a racetrack tout on The Jack Benny Program from 1945 to 1955.
From the mid-1950s he worked extensively in television as a producer and director, with credits including The Danny Thomas Show (1953–64), The Andy Griffith Show (1960–68), The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–66) and I Spy (1965–68). He continued occasional acting roles into the 1990s, including on Cheers (1982).
