Peter Leeds; Character Actor in Films and TV, Union Leader

Peter Leeds, a character and comedic actor who played straight man to such greats as Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney and Johnny Carson, has died. He was 79.

Leeds, who was also a performers union leader, died of cancer Nov. 12 in Los Angeles.

He accompanied Hope on 14 international USO tours, worked on Broadway with Rooney in “Sugar Babies” and appeared with Carson on television.

Leeds tallied more than 8,000 appearances on television shows, backing up Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Danny Thomas and Red Skelton.

He appeared in such films as “Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town,” “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” “The Long, Long Trailer” and “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies.”

Leeds served as president of the Los Angeles chapter of AFTRA from 1971 to 1976 and received the union’s highest honor, a Gold Card, in 1991. He was also on the board of governors for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and USO and was vice president of the Eddie Cantor Lodge of B’nai B’rith.

Born in Bayonne, N.Y., he made his first record in 1935 and began a long career in radio.

He is survived by his wife, Pat, and a granddaughter.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Theater, 5220 Lankershim Blvd in Hollywood. The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the AFTRA Sick & Benefit Fund, 8th floor, 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.