Henry Calvin
| Henry Calvin | |
|---|---|
Henry Calvin as Sergeant Garcia on Zorro with Gene Sheldon as Bernardo in the background
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| Born |
Wimberly Calvin Goodman May 25, 1918 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 1975 (aged 57) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Throat Cancer |
| Resting place | Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas |
| Occupation | comic actor |
| Years active | 1949-1971 |
| Spouse(s) | Edna Frances Goodman (1938-1962) |
Henry Calvin (May 25, 1918 – October 6, 1975) was an American actor known for his role as the Spanish soldier, Sergeant Garcia on Walt Disney's live-action television series Zorro (1957–1959).
Born Wimberly Calvin Goodman in Dallas, Texas, he sang in the choir of his local Baptist church as a child; he was often the featured soloist. After graduating from Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas, he attended Southern Methodist University before pursuing a career as an actor and singer.
Calvin hosted a 1950 NBC radio show and appeared on Broadway (most notably in Kismet as the Wazir of Police). In 1952, he portrayed Big Ben on the children's TV series Howdy Doody. and made his film debut in Crime Against Joe as Red Waller four years later.
His character in Zorro, Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia, was a comedic foil for Zorro and his secret identity, Don Diego de la Vega (Guy Williams). Sometimes a friend (especially to Diego), sometimes a reluctant foe, Garcia is constantly outwitted by other characters, and is often his own worst enemy due to his weakness for food and wine.
Hazel "Gil" George composed Sergeant Garcia's humorous music theme.
Calvin also sang and released a version of the "Zorro" theme song. Calvin's rich baritone voice also contributed to a number of musical interludes over the course of the series, singing everything from drinking songs to a serenade, and even a duet with Annette Funicello in one episode. After the series ended due to a contract dispute with ABC, he reprised the role of Garcia in all four Zorro stories that aired as part of Walt Disney Presents in 1960 and 1961.
He appeared in the 1960 film Toby Tyler as gruff wagon driver Ben Cotter, Toby's friend and protector. Toby's other mentor in the film, clown and animal trainer Sam Treat, was played by Gene Sheldon, who co-starred in Zorro as Bernardo. Toby Tyler was played by Kevin Corcoran, a prolific child actor at the studio in that era. All three actors also appeared in another Disney film, Babes in Toyland (1961).
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