Roy Roberts (March 19, 1906 – May 28, 1975) was a prolific American character actor who became one of the most recognizable faces of authority on film and television, specializing in playing crusty executives, stern police officials, and blustery bankers.
During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Roberts was a staple of the crime genre, appearing in a string of classic films noir, including Force of Evil (1948), He Walked by Night (1948), and The Enforcer (1951). His commanding presence made him the go-to actor for any role that required a sense of no-nonsense power.
He transitioned seamlessly to television, where his fame grew even wider with a host of recurring roles on some of the era’s biggest sitcoms. He played the rival banker John Cushing on The Beverly Hillbillies, Darrin’s father Frank Stephens on Bewitched, the railroad president Norman Curtis on Petticoat Junction, and bank president Mr. Cheever on The Lucy Show. His most significant regular role was as Captain Huxley on The Gale Storm Show for four years.
