Article published May 27, 2005
Eddie Albert, star of 'Green Acres,' dead at 99
By BOB THOMAS
Associated Press Writer
Eddie Albert, whose lighthearted portrayals made him a favorite in movies and television for more than 50 years, has died. He was 99.
Albert died of pneumonia Thursday at his home in the Pacific Palisades area, in the presence of his longtime caregivers and son Albert, family friend Dick Guttman said Friday.
Albert achieved his greatest fame on television's "Green Acres" as Oliver Douglas, a New York lawyer who settles in a rural town with his glamorous wife, played by Eva Gabor. He was nominated for Academy Awards as supporting actor in "Roman Holiday" (1953) and "The Heartbreak Kid" (1972).
The actor moved smoothly from the Broadway stage to movies to television. Besides his 1965-1971 run in "Green Acres," he costarred on TV with Robert Wagner in "Switch" from 1975 to 1978 and was a semi-regular on "Falcon Crest" in 1988.
He was a tireless conservationist, crusading for endangered species, healthful food, cleanup of Santa Monica Bay pollution and other causes. He had remained healthy even in old age.
"Three days ago he was playing basketball in his wheelchair with his granddaughter," Guttman said. "He stayed very vital."