George S. Irving was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” “A Miser Brothers Christmas,” and “Pinocchio’s Christmas.” Born on November 1, 1922, in Springfield, Massachusetts, he had a successful career mainly on Broadway and in voice acting.
Personal and Family Life
George S. Irving was married to Broadway actress Maria Karnilova for over 50 years until her passing in 2001. Together, they had two children. Irving’s parents were Russian Jewish immigrants, which influenced his cultural background and perspective throughout his life.
Career Highlights
Irving was a well-regarded Broadway actor and comedian, known for his positive reviews, even for shows that did not succeed. He won a Tony Award in 1973 for his role as the flamboyant dress designer “Madame Lucy” in the musical “Irene.” He was also nominated for a Tony Award in 1987 for “Me and My Girl.”
Death and Legacy
George S. Irving passed away on December 26, 2016, in Manhattan, New York City, due to natural causes. He left a lasting legacy in musical theatre and animation and is particularly remembered as the voice of the “Heat Miser” in Christmas classics.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Year Without a Santa Claus | 1974-12-10 | Heat Miser (voice) |
| Deadly Hero | 1975-12-14 | Reilly |
| 37 | 2013-09-22 | Jack Bernstein |
| Up the Sandbox | 1972-12-21 | Dr. Keglin |
| New York City Opera: The Merry Widow | 1996-03-27 | Baron Mirko Zeta |
| Accent on Spring | 1961-01-01 | |
| Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure | 1977-04-01 | The Captain (voice) |
| A Miser Brothers’ Christmas | 2008-12-13 | Heat Miser (voice) |
| Night of 100 Stars | 1982-03-08 | Self |
| Fore Play | 1975-03-01 | Reverend / Roberto |
| Hardboiled | 2022-06-12 | Juicy Le Straw |
| Pinocchio’s Christmas | 1980-12-03 | Geppetto (voice) |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Chernoy |
| All in the Family | 1971-01-12 | Russell DeKuyper |
| Naked City | 1958-09-30 | Butcher |
| Underdog | 1964-10-03 | |
| The Dumplings | 1976-01-28 | Charles Sweetzer |
| Tony Awards | 1956-04-01 | Self – Host |
| Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales | 1963-09-28 | |
| Go Go Gophers | 1966-09-10 | Running Board (voice) |