Marvin Miller (actor)

Marvin Elliott Miller (born Marvin Mueller; July 18, 1913 –

February 8, 1985) was an American radio, film, and voice-over actor.
Marvin Miller
Possessing a deep baritone voice, he began his career in radio in St.
Louis, Missouri before becoming a Hollywood actor. He is
remembered for voicing Robby the Robot in the science fiction film
Forbidden Planet (1956), a role he reprised in the lesser-known The
Invisible Boy (1957).

Miller's next most notable role is that of Michael Anthony, the loyal
assistant of Paul Frees's generous billionaire John Beresford Tipton,
Jr., on the TV series The Millionaire (1955–1960).

Contents
Career
Radio and recordings Miller in 1958
Films
Born Marvin Mueller
Television July 18, 1913
Death St. Louis, Missouri,
Filmography U.S.
References Died February 8, 1985
External links (aged 71)
Los Angeles,
California, U.S.
Career Occupation Actor, announcer
Years active 1945–1985

Radio and recordings Spouse(s) Elizabeth Florence

Dawson
(m. 1937; div. 1965)
Born in St. Louis, Miller graduated from Washington University
before commencing his career in radio. When a singer named Marvin Children 2
Miller debuted on another St. Louis radio station, he began using his
middle initial to distinguish himself from the newcomer. For the Mutual Broadcasting System, he narrated a
daily 15-minute radio show entitled The Story Behind the Story, which offered historical vignettes. He also
served as announcer on several Old Time Radio shows of the 1940s and 1950s, including The Jo Stafford
Show[1] and the long-running mystery series The Whistler.[2]

Miller played Dr. Lee Markham on The Woman in White on NBC radio and Howard Andrews on Midstream
on the Blue Network[3] and appeared as "The voice of the Past" on the May 21, 1942 broadcast of The Right
to Happiness. In 1945–47, he was the announcer for Songs by Sinatra.[4] He played two characters and was
the announcer on The Billie Burke Show (1943-1946).[5]:89
In 1952, Miller had a one-man program, Armchair Adventures, on CBS. He did "all voices and narration" in
the 15-minute dramatic anthology.[5]:40 He also recorded 260 episodes of a program described in a 1950 trade
publication as "Marvin Miller: Famous radio voice in series of five minute vignettes about famous people."
The program was syndicated via electrical transcription by The Cardinal Company.[6]

He also won Grammy Awards in 1965 and 1966 for his recordings of Dr. Seuss stories: in 1967 for Dr Seuss
Presents – If I Ran the Zoo and Sleep Book and 1966 for Dr Seuss Presents Fox in Socks and Green Eggs and
Ham.[7] He also read Horton Hatches the Egg, The Sneetches and Other Stories and Yertle the Turtle and
Other Stories.,[8]

In the mid-1970s, Miller even lent his voice to sports films, narrating the official Indianapolis 500 films in 1975
and 1976.

Films

In films, the heavyset Miller was often cast as a villain, many times playing Asian roles. He portrayed a
sadistic henchman in the 1947 Humphrey Bogart film Dead Reckoning and was Yamada in the 1945 James
Cagney effort Blood on the Sun.[9] In 1946's film noir Deadline at Dawn he plays Sleepy Parsons, a blind
pianist.[10] Miller played George "Gusty" Gustafson in the George Raft film noir classic Johnny Angel.[11]

Miller also did a great deal of voice work in animation from the 1950s to 1970s, from the narration on the
1950 Academy Award-winning United Productions of America cartoon Gerald McBoing Boing to the 1970
The Ant and the Aardvark cartoon Scratch a Tiger.[12][13]

Television

From 1949 to 1950 he starred as Dr. Yat Fu on the short-lived ABC series Mysteries of Chinatown, with
Gloria Saunders cast as his niece.[14] In 1961, Miller guest-starred as Johnny Kelso, with Erin O'Brien, in
"The Marble Slab" episode of the Frederick Ziv-, United Artists-, and MGM-produced Bat Masterson, starring
Gene Barry.[15] Original air date was May 11, 1961.[16]

Miller voiced "Mr. Sun" in the AT&T educational film Our Mr. Sun, and "Hemo" in the AT&T educational
film Hemo the Magnificent, parts of a series featuring Dr. Frank C. Baxter and directed by Frank Capra, which
was shown on American network television in 1956 and 1957.[17][18] Miller crossed paths with other prolific
voice-over artists many times in his career including June Foray, playing "Deer" in Hemo the Magnificent and
in the TV series Rocky and Bullwinkle along with Paul Frees, who voiced "Boris Badenov" in that
program.[19] Miller and Frees also performed in separate segments on the audio recording Stan Freberg
Presents The United States of America Volume One The Early Years.[20]

Miller made a guest appearance in 1963 on Perry Mason as unscrupulous attorney F.J. Weatherby in "The
Case of the Lover's Leap."[17]

Miller voiced Aquaman for the Filmation studio for their 1967 series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of
Adventure.[17] He was also the voice of pilot/scientist Busby Birdwell in the company's animated series
Fantastic Voyage.[21]

He was the voice of the arrogant alien "Zarn" in three episodes of the second season of Land of the Lost.[22]
Miller also lent his distinct voice to The Pink Panther Show, often talking with the feline offscreen and asking
questions, while also voicing The Inspector, his second Deux Deux and their boss The Commissioner.[23]
On The Millionaire, Miller played Michael Anthony in over 200 episodes, conveying the wishes of the
"fabulously wealthy" John Beresford Tipton, Jr., voiced by Paul Frees.[24]

Death

Miller died in 1985 at the age of 71 from a heart attack.[24] He is entombed at Pierce Brothers Westwood
Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.[25]

For his contribution to the television industry, Marvin Miller has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at
6101 Hollywood Boulevard.[26]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
Blood on the Sun Yamada
1945
Johnny Angel George "Gusty" Gustafson
Deadline at Dawn Sleepy Parsons
Just Before Dawn Casper
The Phantom Thief Dr. Nejino
1946
Night in Paradise Scribe
Uncredited
Without Reservations Louella's radio announcer Alternative title: Thanks God, I'll
Take It from Here
Dead Reckoning Krause
The Brasher Doubloon Vince Blair Alternative title: High Window
1947
The Corpse Came C.O.D. Rudy Frasso
Intrigue Ramon Perez
Gerald McBoing-Boing Narrator Voice
Smuggler's Island Bok-Ying
1951 Peking Express Kwon
The Prince Who Was a Thief Hakar
The Golden Horde Genghis Khan
Hong Kong Tao Liang
Red Planet Mars Arjenian
1952
Alternative title: Military
Off Limits Vic Breck
Policemen
Ben and Me Dr. Palmer / Miscellaneous Men Voice
1953
Forbidden Chalmer
King Dinosaur Narrator Voice
Jivaro Jivaro Chief Kovanti
1954
The Shanghai Story Colonel Zorek
Beauty and the Bull Narrator Short, Voice
1955 New York Confidential Narrator Voice, Uncredited
Godzilla Raids Again Narrator English version, Voice
King Dinosaur Narrator Voice
1956 Forbidden Planet Robby the Robot Voice, Uncredited
The Deadly Mantis Narrator
1957 The Invisible Boy Robby the Robot Voice
The Story of Mankind Armana
Manhunt in the Jungle Narrator Voice
Senior Prom Narrator Voice
1958
Panda and the Magic
Narrator Voice
Serpent
Sleeping Beauty Narrator Voice, Uncredited
1959
Sampo Narrator English version, Voice
1961 The Phantom Planet Introductory Narrator Voice
When the Girls Take Over Henri Degiere
1962
Panic in Year Zero! Radio Announcer Uncredited
The Agony and the Ecstasy Prologue Narrator Uncredited
Saturday Night in Apple
Valley
1965
Invasion of Astro-Monster Fuji English version, Voice
Narrator - The Daisy Clover
Inside Daisy Clover Voice, Uncredited
Story
1966 Gamera the Invincible Voice over Uncredited
1967 Hell on Wheels The Announcer
MASH PA Announcer Uncredited
1970
Blood of the Iron Maiden Claude
Where Does It Hurt? Catering Manager
1972
The Sexpert Michael Anthony Uncredited
English version, Voice,
Fantastic Planet Great Tree Chief / Master Kon
Uncredited
1973
The Naked Ape Fat Man
Tidal Wave (US version)
1974 How to Seduce a Woman Racetrack Announcer
I Wonder Who's Killing Her
1975 Jordan's Boss
Now?
1976 The Call of the Wild Narrator TV movie
Empire of the Ants Voice, Uncredited
John Hus Emperor Sigismund
1977
Alternative titles: Prime Time
American Raspberry Henry Wideman
Funny America
1981 Kiss Daddy Goodbye Bill Morris
1984 Swing Shift Rollo
1984 Gremlins Robby The Robot Voice, Uncredited
Alternative titles: Commando
Girls
1986 Hell Squad The Sheik
Commando Squad, (final film
role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1949 Mysteries of Chinatown Dr. Yat Fu unknown episodes
Mr. Proteus (continuing 1952–1954
1952 Space Patrol
character) & other roles 13 episodes
1955–1960
1955 The Millionaire Michael Anthony
206 episodes
1959 The Danny Thomas Show Mr. Chow 1 episode
1961 Bat Masterson John Kelso 1 episode (episode 31)
The Adventures of Ozzie &
1961 Man in Dream 1 episode
Harriet
1963 Perry Mason F. J. Weatherby 1 episode
1966 Batman TV Announcer 1 episode (episode 12)
1966–
The F.B.I Narrator 117 episodes
1974
The Superman/Aquaman
1967 Aquaman (voice) 36 episodes
Hour of Adventure
1967 The Green Hornet On-the-scene Reporter 1 episode
1969 The Pink Panther Show Narrator Bumper segments only
1972 Mission: Impossible Smith 1 episode
1975 Land of the Lost Zarn Voice, 3 episodes
Electra Woman and Dyna
1976 Narrator 15 episodes
Girl
1978 Wonder Woman Mr. Beamer 1 episode
1982 Police Squad! Narrator 6 episodes

References
1. Buxton, Frank and Owen, Bill (1972). The Big Broadcast: 1920-1950. The Viking Press. SBN
670-16240-x. P. 125.
2. Breesee, Frank. "Golden Days of Radio" (http://yesterdayusa.com). Interview with Marvin Miller,
Part I. American Forces Radio and Television Service. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
3. "Say Hello to ..." (http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Mirror/40/Mirror-1940-Fe
b.pdf) (PDF). Radio and Television Mirror. 13 (4): 46. February 1940. Retrieved 21 February
2015.
4. Mackenzie, Harry (1999). The Directory of the Armed Forces Radio Service Series (https://book
s.google.com/books?id=L3WyZ9A4_XEC&q=%22Songs+by+Sinatra%22&pg=PA57). ABC-
CLIO, Incorporated. ISBN 9780313308123. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
5. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University
Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3.
6. Alicoate, Jack, Ed. (1950). Shows: 1950 Radio Daily Program Buyers Guide. Radio Daily Corp.
P. 40.
 7. "Marvin Miller" (https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/marvin-miller). GRAMMY.com.
November 19, 2019.
8. Marvin Miller - Dr Suess Presents...Horton Hatches The Egg, The Sneetches And Other Stories
(https://www.discogs.com/Marvin-Miller-Dr-Suess-PresentsHorton-Hatches-The-EggSneetches
-And-Other-Stories/release/10234141)
9. "Marvin Miller" (https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba4d40aad). BFI.
10. "Deadline at Dawn (1946) - Harold Clurman | Cast and Crew" (https://www.allmovie.com/movi
e/deadline-at-dawn-v12747/cast-crew). AllMovie.
11. "Johnny Angel (1945) - Edwin L. Marin | Cast and Crew" (https://www.allmovie.com/movie/john
ny-angel-v26420/cast-crew). AllMovie.
12. "Marvin Miller | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos" (https://www.allmovie.com/artist/marvi
n-miller-p49282). AllMovie.
13. "Gerald McBoing Boing (1950)" (https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6ab00a2d). BFI.
14. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present.
Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 823. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
15. "Bat Masterson | TV Guide" (https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/bat-masterson/episode-31-seas
on-3/the-marble-slab/199921). TVGuide.com.
16. Rainey, Buck (November 17, 2015). Western Gunslingers in Fact and on Film: Hollywood's
Famous Lawmen and Outlaws (https://books.google.com/books?id=H-0yKIIRLSMC&q=bat+ma
sterson+the+marble+stab+marvin+miller&pg=PA262). McFarland. ISBN 9781476603285 – via
Google Books.
17. "Marvin Miller | TV, Documentary and Other Appearances" (https://www.allmovie.com/artist/mar
vin-miller-p49282/other_appearances). AllMovie.
18. "Hemo the Magnificent (1957)" (https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7fdbcf31). BFI.
19. Lawson, Tim; Persons, Alisa (December 9, 2004). The Magic Behind the Voices: A Who's Who
of Cartoon Voice Actors (https://books.google.com/books?id=6ffdBDDBUYsC&q=rocky+and+b
ullwinkle+paul+frees+marvin+miller&pg=PA299). Univ. Press of Mississippi.
ISBN 9781578066964 – via Google Books.
20. "Stan Freberg - Presents The United States Of America, Vol. 1: The Early Years" (https://www.d
iscogs.com/Stan-Freberg-Presents-The-United-States-Of-America-Vol-1-The-Early-Years/relea
se/2471190). Discogs.
21. Terrace, Vincent (November 7, 2013). Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings
since 1949 (https://books.google.com/books?id=EDsYAgAAQBAJ&q=fantastic+voyage+marvi
n+miller&pg=PA193). Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810892507 – via Google Books.
22. Erickson, Hal (March 13, 2015). Sid and Marty Krofft: A Critical Study of Saturday Morning
Children's Television, 1969-1993 (https://books.google.com/books?id=8uUyBwAAQBAJ&q=la
nd+of+the+lost+marvin+miller&pg=PA109). McFarland. ISBN 9781476607849 – via Google
Books.
23. Perlmutter, David (May 4, 2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows (h
ttps://books.google.com/books?id=FMFTDwAAQBAJ&q=the+pink+panther+show+marvin+mill
er&pg=PA461). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538103746 – via Google Books.
24. "Marvin Miller, Actor on TV; Appeared in 'The Millionaire' " (https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag
e.html?res=9905E3D81739F933A25751C0A963948260). The New York Times. 1985-02-10.
Retrieved 2009-03-02.
25. "Marvin E. Miller (1913-1985) - Find A Grave-gedenkplek" (https://www.findagrave.com/memori
al/5509/marvin-e_-miller).
26. "Marvin Miller" (http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/marvin-miller/). latimes.com.

External links
 Marvin Miller (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588922/) on IMDb
Marvin Miller (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5509) at Find a Grave

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marvin_Miller_(actor)&oldid=992113152"

This page was last edited on 3 December 2020, at 15:48 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.