# Green-er Acres in Heaven--Eddie Albert dead at 99 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 27, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814 "2005-05-27T21:30:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/21 "2005-05-28T01:36:25Z")
In the US Navy, Eddie Albert was awarded the Bronze Star for his participation in the WW2 Battle of Tarawa - an extremely costly battle for the US Marines (3,000 casualties). [http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1752.html](http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1752.html) So long Eddie. As others have said, you led a full life. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/22 "2005-05-28T01:50:06Z")
No shit? I miss him. He was a great actor. I didn’t like him much, but he did his job well. And yes, he was a war hero, as wolf-meister said above. He will be much missed. ---
**Author:** ![don\_Jaime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b4bc9f/32.png) [@don\_Jaime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_Jaime)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/23 "2005-05-28T03:21:08Z")
Another great Albert moment on film: the photographer in _Roman Holiday_. I always giggle when he steps out of the crowd at the press conference to show off his lighter. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/24 "2005-05-28T03:39:22Z")
He was good as a general (or was it a colonel) on Omaha Beach in _The Longest Day_. Ah well, Mr. Haney’s probably selling him a genuwine St. Peter approved harp and set of wings as we speak. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/25 "2005-05-28T07:58:00Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > In the US Navy, Eddie Albert was awarded the Bronze Star for his participation in the WW2 Battle of Tarawa - an extremely costly battle for the US Marines (3,000 casualties). > > [Battle of Tarawa](http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1752.html) > > So long Eddie. As others have said, you led a full life. IIRC he was a Higgens Boat pilot. He was credited with pulling out many wounded Marines from the water under heavy fire. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/26 "2005-05-28T18:19:42Z")
This is interesting, from Eddie Albert’s L.A. Times obit: > [@](#): > > In the late 1960s, Albert’s attention turned to ecology. He read extensively on the subject and spoke with experts in the field. In 1969, he accompanied a molecular biologist from UC Berkeley to Anacapa Island off Ventura County to observe the nesting of pelicans. What they found were thousands of collapsed pelican eggs. “The runoff of DDT had been consumed by the fish, the fish had been eaten by the pelicans, whose metabolism had in turn been disturbed so that the lady pelican could no longer manufacture a sturdy shell,” Albert told TV Guide in 1970. After learning more about the effects of DDT, he said, “I became terrified. The more I studied, the more terrified I got.” Sharing his ecological concerns on the Tonight and Today shows, he became, in the words of a TV Guide reporter, “a kind of ecological Paul Revere.” The TV appearances led to speaking invitations from high schools, universities, and industrial and religious groups. Albert formed a company to produce films to aid in “international campaigns against environmental pollution.” ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/27 "2005-05-28T18:51:23Z")
Well, that explains Albert’s work in the Arbor Day Foundation PSAs. I always thought that it was because he needed the work. Nice to see it was for something he believed in. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/28 "2005-05-28T19:04:28Z")
> [@Walloon](#): > > In 1936, when NBC [demonstrated its first all-electronic television](http://members.tripod.com/~FrameMaster/index5.html) to the press, Eddie Albert was one of the performers. And only on The Straight Dope will you read of _that_, ladies and gents. What’s more…NBC had been broadcasting closed-circuit for several months before that, using Eddie and his nightclub partner in a series of sketches from their club act. Thus making Mr. Albert part of TV’s first actual series…an achievement only partially diminished by the fact that it couldn’t be seen outside the RCA Building. The name of the act? (You won’t believe this.) **"The Honeymooners."** I have no online cites for the above, but a Prof. William Hawes wrote a very bizarre little book years ago called _American Television Drama_ that tells the whole story. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/29 "2005-05-28T19:18:46Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > (Trivia: his real name was Albert Heimberger; he was one of the stars whose names was changed by a studio to sound less Jewish.) The way the Yahoo obit had it, he changed it himself to sound less like a sandwich. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/30 "2005-05-28T20:33:12Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > Well, according to news accounts, though, wheelchair bound, he was playing basketball with his granddaughter just a few days ago. The news report I saw left out the ‘in a wheelchair’ part. They just said he was playing basketball with his granddaughter. I remember thinking ‘holy crap, at 99?’ Ah, I’m too cynical sometimes. But I think the whole ‘playing basketball’ thing is a bit of an exaggeration. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/31 "2005-05-28T22:38:11Z")
The _L.A. Times_ also notes that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s _ten years ago_, so I suspect his recent years were something of a challenge, despite the stories of pushups and basketball. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/32 "2005-05-29T02:03:15Z")
Most people remember Eddie Albert for his comic and straight acting roles, but he was a notable Broadway musical theater performer as well. He had substantial roles in the Rodgers & Hart show \*The Boys From Syracuse \* and the Irving Berlin show _Miss Liberty_, among others. There is a photo of an oh-so-young Eddie in tights from _The Boys From Syracuse_ that is just priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/33 "2005-05-29T03:38:38Z")
Ah, Eddie, you will be missed. Say hi to Eva and Arnold for us. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/34 "2005-05-29T16:12:03Z")
Oliver: Lisa, honey, I’m dead! Mr. Haney: Waal, if’n it ain’t Mr. Douglas! We all been waitin’ fer ya–you must be nigh unto 95 years old! Oliver: Well, as a matter of fact, Mr. Haney, I was– Mr. Haney: Now, don’t say a word–I know just what you were goin’ to say! You were lookin’ fer a harp! Oliver: Now, Mr. Haney, I’m sure they supply– Mr. Haney --An’ I got right here a gen-you-wine Harpo Marx gold-plated harp, fer only one hundred dollars. Oliver: A hundred dollars? Why you can just go to– Lisa: Olivair, dahling! Vhere haff you _been?_ Deed you breeng Alf and Ralph viss you? Vait teel you see our cloud–eet needs its silver lining repolished! Oliver: Lisa! [they nuzzle behind pearly gates for a few minutes] Mr. Kimball: Glad to see you, Mr. Douglas! Well, not _glad_, it means you’re dead. Well, not _dead_, 'cause you’re talking to me. Not that you _are_ talking to me . . . Say, maybe _I’m_ not dead! [wanders off] Arnold: _snort snort_ Arnold: _snort snort_ Arnold: _snort snort_ Arnold: _snort snort_ Arnold: _snort snort_ Oliver: Lisa–what are all these pigs doing here? Mr. Ziffel: Waal, Mr. Douglas! We all been waitin’ fer ya–you must be nigh unto 95 years old! Oliver: Well, as a matter of fact, Mr. Ziffel– Mr. Ziffel: Ah see all the Arnolds have been sayin’ hello. Turned into Hog Heaven what with all the Arnolds we used on the show! Lisa: Not only zat, but Mr. Ziffel has _two_ Mrs. Ziffels up here, dahling! Oliver: Well, where’s Sam Drucker set up his store? I can’t wait to start planting! Lisa: You deedn’t breeng heem viss you? He must be 95 years old! I hope you’re not hungry, dahling . . . Oliver: As a matter of fact, I am. Lisa: Bad news, dahling. Every time I try to make hotscakes up here, zey fall _right_ through ze clouds! Oliver: Ahh–I _am_ in heaven! ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/35 "2005-05-29T16:15:50Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Terrific actor, and from what I hear, a nice guy, too. I actually met Mr. Albert a little over 12 years ago. Mrs. Flex and I were taking a vacation to Tahiti. We had to take a puddle jumper over to Moorea from the big island and he was on the same plane (and staying in the same hotel!). He was pretty frail and we carried his luggage for him to and from the plane. He was vacationing with Nanette Fabray and we all chatted on the way over. A couple of days later we ran into Ms. Fabray at the hotel and had another short chat. At first she thought we were fans coming up to talk to her and suddenly remembered we were the ones who helped them on the plane. That look of realization and embarassment was precious. It’s gotta be tough in their position to not be able to interact with ordinary people in an ordinary way. I always loved Green Acres. Mr. Albert was a very pleasant man and I certainly now have a special feeling for him since we met. May he rest in peace. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/36 "2005-05-29T16:19:04Z")
I just hope he hasn’t got a pitchfork in his hands again. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/37 "2005-05-29T17:35:38Z")
It’s a compliment to that show that there’s been a “big budget motion picuture” version in the works for years but it never comes any closer to fruition than the movie versions of _Good Omens_ and _Confederacy of Dunces_. At one point it was even announced that it would star Steve Martin and Bette Midler (the latter being less Hungarian beauty queen than pampered NYC Jewish princess) but luckily somebody went through rehab; another time it was Chevy Chase and Ivana Trump (the fact that she can’t act and would come across as an ice queen apparently not making a difference) but that too was quickly "leave the script, bring the cannoli"d. That show could _only_ star Eddie, Eva, Pat and the gang- it worked because of the chemistry of the actors, Eva’s sweetness, Eddie’s ernestness, Pat’s voice and the absolutely inspired bits of absurdist humor that rivalled if not surpassed Monty Python’s best (the characters _saw_ the credits… God that was brilliant!- I do remember thinking once that it could work on _Northern Exposure_ if Marilyn Whirlwind saw the credits in an episode and said in her monotone “that’s not right…” while it was corrected, but that’s about the only show that could have gotten away with it). I saw a Chris Rock interview once in which he said he’d been approached to play Lamont in a screen version of _Sanford & Son_ and told them “You can’t remake that show- it wasn’t about a Watts junk dealer, it was about Redd Foxx _as_ a Watts junk dealer!”. _Green Acres_ wasn’t about a successful NYC lawyer who relocated to the country, it was about Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor relocating to the country. (I read that the idea for the series came from an Eva Gabor interview on her pal Merv’s show in which she had him crying with laughter while describing the weekend she spent on a farm, feeding chickens while wearing her mink and her jewels.) Enjoy heaven, Mr. Douglas, and while you’re there be sure to see the Eiffel Tower. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/38 "2005-05-29T19:32:57Z")
Looks like Frank Cady(Sam Drucker) is 90. That guy has a list of credits a mile long! [http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0128326/](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0128326/) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/39 "2005-05-29T19:36:16Z")
Eb and the Monroe Brothers (Alf & Ralph [the first lesbian on primetime?]) are also still alive. Eb is extremely religious and gives speeches to churches and youth groups (and is proud of the fact that at 66 he is still a virgin, not that I would imagine it’s that difficult for him anymore). ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814/40 "2005-05-29T19:48:04Z")
Even though _Green Acres_ made him an icon, I’ll always be impressed with his powerful performance as Col. Norval Algate Bliss (Mr. Future) in [Captain Newman, M.D.](http://imdb.com/title/tt0056903/). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-er-acres-in-heaven-eddie-albert-dead-at-99/305814.md?page=3)