Harry Townes, a prolific character actor who appeared in countless films and television productions over 50 years before studying for the ministry, has died. He was 86.
A native of Huntsville, Ala., Townes died in his home there on Wednesday. Townes attended the University of Alabama, but moved to New York in his early 20s to study acting. He graduated from Columbia University after finding acting roles in his undergraduate days.
He began his stage career at the age of 22 playing Captain Tim in "Tobacco Road." Townes went on to play the leprechaun in "Finian's Rainbow," handling the role for two years on Broadway and a year in London. Other Broadway appearances included "How the Other Half Lives" and "Twelfth Night."
Townes also was a presence in early television, performing on Studio One, Playhouse 90 and Kraft Theater. He was a familiar face on popular television series, including "Gunsmoke," "Perry Mason," "Star Trek," "Rawhide" and "Bonanza."
