Louis Quinn (born Louis Frackt; March 23, 1915 – September 14, 1988) was an American television and film actor, best known for his role as Roscoe, the comic relief racetrack tout, from 1958 to 1963 in the ABC/Warner Bros. detective television series, 77 Sunset Strip.
Early years Born in Chicago, Quinn went to Los Angeles when he was a boy; he was raised by his brother. He sold newspapers on street corners and graduated from Los Angeles High School. He went on to study journalism at the University of New Mexico.
Military service Quinn was a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. His duties included writing dialogue for training films.
Radio Quinn began his career as a radio personality, hosting variety shows and writing comedy for Milton Berle and Don McNeill's Breakfast Club.
Early in 1953, WINS in New York City carried The Louis Quinn Show from midnight to 1 a.m., with the program originating in its studios. On December 30, 1953, Quinn began broadcasting his program over KCMJ, Palm Springs, California. The program originated in the Fireside Room of the La Paz Hotel in Palm Springs.
Film Quinn's writing career began at Warner Bros., where director Bryan Foy signed him as a writer in August 1940. He was the writer for seven feature films before he went into the military during World War II.
On the big screen, Quinn played mostly supporting roles in such films as Al Capone (1959), The Crowded Sky (1960), Gypsy (1962), For Those Who Think Young (1964), Birds Do It (1966), Unholy Rollers (1972), Superchick (1973), Linda Lovelace for President (1975), and All the President's Men (1976).
He was also the emcee for the premiere of Mary Poppins at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 27, 1964, though he did not appear in the film itself.
Television Quinn continued writing for Berle when the comedian made the transition to television in Texaco Star Theatre.
His first television role was as a city council member in the 1956 episode "The Bachelor Party' of Jackie Cooper's NBC sitcom, The People's Choice. In 1958 Quinn appeared (uncredited) as the First Hotel Clerk on the TV western Cheyenne in the episode titled "Dead to Rights."
Quinn began his role of "Roscoe" on 77 Sunset Strip when he was brought in as a script doctor that led to him delivering his own jokes. He admitted that he made more money as a joke writer than he did as an actor.
He appeared regularly on television though not in major or recurring roles apart from 77 Sunset Strip.
He guest starred on the ABC/WB western series, The Alaskans. He appeared in three episodes of ABC's Batman (55, 56 and 111), once on NBC's The Virginian, in the 1977 film Raid on Entebbe, and the sitcoms, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, The Donna Reed Show, Barney Miller and Gilligan's Island.
Personal life Quinn was married to Christine Nelson, an actress and entertainer in television, film and night clubs. She made guest appearances on 77 Sunset Strip four times during its run, and joined Quinn in appearing as lighthouse keepers "Mr. and Mrs. Keeper" in the Batman TV episode The Joke's on Catwoman (1968). They died a month apart in 1988.
Death Quinn died of lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 73. His survivors included a daughter, a brother, and four sisters.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1954 There's No Business Like Show Business Cabbie Uncredited1957 Top Secret Affair Trial Broadcaster Uncredited1958 The Deep Six Fisherman Uncredited1958 Too Much, Too Soon Assistant Uncredited1958 Torpedo Run Sub Crewman Uncredited1959 The Trap Archie Stoner Uncredited1959 Al Capone Joe Lorenzo 1959 High School Big Shot Samuel Tallman 1960 Ocean's 11 DeWolfe Uncredited1960 The Crowded Sky Sidney Schreiber 1961 Dondi Dimmy 1962 Gypsy Cigar 1964 For Those Who Think Young Gus Kestler 1966 The Las Vegas Hillbillys Louis Quinn 1966 Birds Do It Sgt. Skam 1971 Welcome to the Club Capt. Sigmus 1972 Unholy Rollers Mr. Stern 1973 Superchick Garrick 1975 Linda Lovelace for President Dirty Guy #1 1975 Keep Off My Grass! Maury Sherman 1976 All the President's Men Salesman 1986 Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter Priest
References
External links