Veteran comedic actor Tom Poston, he with the bugged-out eyes that commonly accentuated a vague look of bewilderment, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1921 and, by age nine, was appearing with an acrobatic troupe. He was attending Bethany College in West Virginia when World War II broke out and he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He won medals for his courage under fire, and rose to the rank of captain. While Tom never returned to Bethany College, he would later receive an honorary doctorate from the institution. Following military duty, Tom went to New York and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, training with acting guru 'Sanford Meisner' . He provided glum, baggy-eyed comedy relief on TV as an octogenarian up until the end. Sadly, while wife Suzanne was battling cancer, Tom passed away unexpectedly at his Los Angeles home on April 30, 2007, after a brief illness. Stalwart Tom Poston may not have nabbed top comic stardom in his heyday, but he certainly enjoyed a long, durable career doing what he does best -- acting goofy and giving audiences a reason to smile.
Born at 9:40pm-EST
Was originally under contract to play Maxwell Smart ("Agent 86") in the show "Get Smart" .
Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945, and flew over Europe on D-Day.
His first child, with first wife Jean Sullivan , is daughter Francesca Poston.
Was allergic to onions.
His older sister made a mystery guest appearance on "To Tell the Truth" .
Together with Louis Nye and Don Knotts , he was a regular cast member on "The Steve Allen Show" . The trio performed the famous and recurring "Man on the Street" skits.
Next door neighbor of Shane Stanley in mid seventies.
Ex-father-in-law of George S. Clinton.
Father of son Jason Poston and daughter Hudson Poston by second (and third) wife Kay Hudson.
Made money as a boxer during his teen years.
Former acrobat with the Flying Zepleys.
Both Tom and wife Suzanne Pleshette died of the same cause, respiratory failure.
Was friends with Bob Newhart , and Betty White.
(in a 1983 interview).
