Larry Keating (I) (1896–1963)

Actor | Soundtrack

Supporting actor in films and TV who portrayed witty and urbane although often curmudgeonly types.

Spouse (1)

Ruth (? - 26 August 1963) (his death) (2 children)

Trivia (9)

Larry was an NBC radio announcer in the 1940s.

Announcer for ABC Radio's "This is Your FBI" (1945-1953).

Keating was an immensely popular component of the Mister Ed (1958) chemistry, and his sudden death (during the show's third season) came as an enormous shock to not only the tight ensemble cast but the viewing public as well. His absence started the show's steady decline in popularity, despite good work from replacement Jack Albertson, briefly as his brother-in-law, then from Leon Ames, who played Wilbur's former commanding officer in the Air Force.

Buried in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to playing the neighbor on "Mister Ed", Keating also co-starred with the other famous talking horse, playing the head steward in "Francis Goes to the Races".

He was the nephew of heavyweight boxing champion Tommy Burns.

Began as a voice actor and narrator in radio.

Had two sons named Robert and Larry Jr. and one step-son named William Evans.

Continued to work on Mister Ed one week prior to his death before he entered the Good Samaritan Hospital in LA.

Biography by Hal Erickson

A master purveyor of smug, condescending character roles, Minnesota-born Larry Keating was the nephew of heavyweight boxing champ Tommy Burns. Keating built his acting reputation in radio, as master of ceremonies for such variety series as The Fitch Bandwagon and as narrator of the long-running This is Your FBI. He began his film career in 1949, generally playing curt doctors or no-nonsense business executives; one of his more warmhearted characterizations was as a blind attorney in 1951's Bright Victory. In 1953, Keating replaced Fred Clark as acerbic next door neighbor Harry Morton on the popular TV sitcom The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. He continued in this vein in 1961 as Wilbur Post's pompous neighbor Roger Addison in the George Burns-produced Mister Ed. Larry Keating remained with this last-named series until his death from leukemia at the age of 64.

http://www.allmovie.com/artist/larry-keating-p37272