Paul Reed, 97, a character actor best remembered for his work on television in the 60’s, died at Greenwich Hospital, Conn. on April 2.
Mr. Reed was born to Russian immigrant parents in Highland Falls, N.Y. on June 16, 1909. Born Sidney Kahn, he changed his name first to Paul Roberts and later to Paul Reed. He had four sisters and two brothers. Their father died of illness when Paul was very young. As their mother could not provide for seven children, they were placed in various orphanages and foster homes for the next several years. When a few of them were old enough to help support the family, they reunited, living on Chrystie Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in New York and eventually in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Paul’s early days as a New Yorker, in search of ways to survive, brought him to the Vaudeville theaters where, during intermission, he dealt in chewing gum bought by the pack and sold by the stick. Soon finding the performers to be a better clientele than the audience, Reed established his place of business at the stage door. On one occasion, a performer grabbed and hauled him out onto the stage where, in the glow of the limelight, Paul had his first encounter with the allure of show business.
In his late teens, having recognized that he had a good singing voice (also a commodity, like chewing gum), Paul adjusted his budget to include voice lessons at Carnegie Hall. By the mid 30’s, he was singing on WOR-Mutual Radio. During the 40’s, he broke into acting on the Broadway musical stage. Over the next 25 years, he landed roles in 18 productions including “Guys and Dolls,” “The Music Man,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “Promises, Promises.”
Mr. Reed began his television career in the 50’s as a straight man for the comic genius, Sid Caesar. In the 60’s, Paul played his most memorable character, the slow-burning “Captain Block” on the popular series, “Car 54, Where Are You?” which led to guest appearances on most of that decade’s best-known sitcoms.
Mr. Reed met his wife, June MacLaren Reed, in 1948 while they were both performing in Mike Todd’s “Up in Central Park.”
He is survived by her, as well as their son, Paul Reed Jr., daughter-in-law Leslie Korda, and granddaughter, Laila Jen Reed.
Paul Reed was laid to rest in Pemaquid by his family and friends. He died, as he had predicted, from being “ver-r-r-ry old.”
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Strong Funeral Home, Damariscotta.
