Eric Christmas was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Harold and Maude,” “The Philadelphia Experiment,” and “Air Bud.” He was born on March 19, 1916, in London, England, and passed away on July 22, 2000, in Camarillo, California.
Personal and Family Life
Eric Christmas had a rich family life, having been married three times. He had two children from his first marriage to Patricia E. Pottier and one child from his second marriage to Donelda (Donna) Marion Neufeld. His last partner was Marcia J. (Marcy) Mattox, with whom he stayed until his death. Christmas was also a devoted father to his son, Stephen Christmas, who was diagnosed with Haemophilia B, a condition that led to the disease being named Christmas disease.
Career
Christmas trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and initially gained experience in English repertory theatre in the 1930s. He performed in the Royal Air Force’s Gang Show during World War II and later moved to Canada, where he became well-known on television. He was actively involved in the Canadian Stratford Festival, where he performed in numerous Shakespearean productions over twelve seasons. Christmas was a significant figure in Canadian theatre and made notable contributions to various theatrical productions throughout his career.
Death and Legacy
Eric Christmas died of natural causes on July 22, 2000, in Camarillo, California. He left behind a legacy in the entertainment industry, particularly in theatre and television. His work influenced many actors and comedians in Canada and beyond, and his contributions to the Stratford Festival helped shape its reputation.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Harold and Maude | 1971-12-20 | Priest |
| The Andromeda Strain | 1971-03-12 | Senator from Vermont |
| The Philadelphia Experiment | 1984-08-03 | Dr. James Longstreet |
| Air Bud | 1997-08-01 | Judge Cranfield |
| Porky’s Revenge | 1985-03-22 | Mr. Carter |
| The Changeling | 1980-03-28 | Albert Harmon |
| Johnny Got His Gun | 1971-08-04 | Corporal Timlon |
| Columbo | 1971-09-15 | Bruno Wexler |
| Little House on the Prairie | 1974-09-11 | Dewey |
| Seinfeld | 1989-07-05 | Haarwood |
| Cheers | 1982-09-30 | |
| The X-Files | 1993-09-10 | Stan Phillips |
| ER | 1994-09-19 | Mr. Heath |
| Murphy Brown | 1988-11-14 | Mr. Bob Bickner |
| Home Improvement | 1991-09-17 | Sir Larry Houdini |