Charles Drake was an American actor known for his roles in films such as “Valley of the Dolls,” “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” and “Harvey.” Born Charles Louis Ruppert on October 2, 1917, in New York City, he began his acting career in the late 1930s after initially working as a salesman.
Personal and Family Life
Charles Drake had a daughter named Cathy Ann Drake and a son named Chris Elise Richardson. He graduated from Nichols College in 1937, which laid the foundation for his later successful acting career. Throughout his life, he maintained a relatively private family life away from the public eye.
Career
Drake’s acting journey began in little theater productions before he landed a contract with Warner Brothers in the late 1930s. He starred in classic films and was a reliable character actor, becoming known for his mellifluous voice and commanding presence. Although he appeared in over 80 films and numerous TV shows, he never achieved major star status, often being cast in supporting roles.
Death and Legacy
Charles Drake passed away on September 10, 1994, in East Lyme, Connecticut, due to illness at the age of 76. Despite not achieving leading man status, his contributions to film and television are remembered fondly, and he remains appreciated for his talent and dedication to acting.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Dolls | 1967-12-27 | Kevin Gillmore |
| The Pretender | 1947-08-11 | Dr. Leonard Koster |
| The Man Who Came to Dinner | 1941-12-24 | Sandy |
| Conflict | 1945-06-15 | Norman Holsworth |
| A Night in Casablanca | 1946-05-10 | Lt. Pierre Delmar |
| Winchester ’73 | 1950-07-12 | Steve Miller |
| Harvey | 1950-12-04 | Dr. Sanderson |
| All That Heaven Allows | 1955-12-25 | Mick Anderson |
| Step Down to Terror | 1958-09-01 | Johnny Walters |
| Star Trek | 1966-09-08 | Commodore Stocker |
