It’s being reported that veteran character actor Norman Alden has passed away at the age of 87. He died of natural causes on July 27th in a Los Angeles nursing home.
Alden had a long career that included playing the soda shop owner in Back to the Future and the color-blind cameraman in Ed Wood, as well as providing voices for animated films like Disney’s The Sword in the Stone and 1986’s Transformers: the Movie.
Television audiences recognized him from playing Professor Frank Heflin in Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Coach Leroy Fedder on Norman Lear’s Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Johnny Ringo on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp TV series. Other TV appearances included Gunsmoke, The Untouchables, My Three Sons, Bonanza, Charlie’s Angels, The Mod Squad, Mannix, The A-Team, and JAG.
His voice could be heard on Hanna-Barbera cartoons, playing Hank the ringmaster on Devlin and Aquaman on the various incarnations of Super Friends.
In addition, Alden played Lou the mechanic in AC Delco commercials for many years.
He is survived by his two children from his first marriage, one grandson, and his partner of over 25 years, Linda Gilbert Thieben.
What do you think? Do you remember the on-camera and voiceover work of Norman Alden?
I watched him in many westerns and detective shows in the 50’s/60’s/70’s.
Great job.
The passing of a great talent like this that we didn’t even know we had. He will be truly missed. RIP
The Superfriends were such a huge part of my childhood. In today’s world kids can watch cartoons( if you can call them that) 24/7 on dozens of different channels. When I was growing up cartoons only came on , on Saturday mornings between 7-12. Thank you Mr. Alden for your hard work and for giving me hours and hours of great childhood memories. You will be missed. Rest in peace.