SAM HARRIS
January 11, 1877
Sam Harris was born on January 11, 1877 in Sydney, Australia. From 1928 to 1966 he appeared in roughly 770 films and television episodes, nearly all in uncredited background appearances. If Bess Flowers is the Queen of the Extras, then Harris is the King!
His film career started in 1928 with The Spirit of Gallipoli, a silent film made in his native Australia.
Harris appeared with Lucille Ball in 14 films from 1934 to 1956:
Kid Millions (1934)
Old Man Rhythm (1935)
Having Wonderful Time (1938)
Annabel Takes a Tour (1938)
Dance Girl Dance (1940)
The Big Street (1942)
Thousands Cheer (1943)
Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945)
The Dark Corner (1946)
Lured (1947)
Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949)
Fancy Pants (1950)
Ellis in Freedomland (1952)
Forever Darling (1956)
His first television appearance was on an episode of “Racket Squad” on February 28, 1952.
As a background performer, he was often seen at parties and society functions, wearing a suit or tuxedo. He sometimes sat with his back to the camera or was in the distant background.
On “I Love Lucy” Harris was in the audience for “Over the Teacups” in “Ethel’s Birthday” (ILL S4;E8).
He played a subway passenger in “Lucy and the Loving Cup” (ILL S6;E12).
He was quickly glimpsed in a Paris café in “Lucy Meets Charles Boyer” (ILL S5;E19) first aired on March 5, 1956.
He was in the airport when “The Ricardos Go to Japan” (LDCH S3;E2) first aired on November 27, 1959.
Sam Harris appeared on six episodes of “The Lucy Show,” starting with “Lucy is Kangaroo for a Day” (TLS S1;7) on November 12, 1962. Harris was one of the diners at the sophisticated Cavalier Restaurant.
“Lucy Enters a Baking Contest” (TLS S2;E28) on April 27, 1964 as a member of the Danfield Bank Board of Directors (above right).
Harris was a courtroom spectator when “Lucy is Her Own Lawyer” (TLS S2;E23) on March 9, 1964.
Harris is on the board of directors (chaired by Gale Gordon) of Consolidated Pictures in the Lucille Ball / Bob Hope TV special “Mr. & Mrs.” aired on April 19, 1964 on CBS.
Harris was at the country club formal dance when Lucy rolls in during “Lucy and the Good Skate” (TLS S3;E1) on September 21, 1964.
He was at the Embassy Ball (above left) in “My Fair Lucy” (TLS S3;E20) on February 8, 1965.
His final appearance with Lucille Ball is as a casino patron when “Lucy Goes To Vegas” (TLS S3;E17) on January 18, 1965.
For Desilu or at Desilu Studios he appeared on “Our Miss Brooks” (1956), “The Adventures of Jim Bowie” (1957), “The Real McCoys” (1959), “The Ann Sothern Show” (1959), “The Westinghouse-Desilu Playhouse” (1960), “The Untouchables” (1960-61), “The Andy Griffith Show” (1961), and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1962-63).
His final screen appearance was in the Disney film The Ugly Dachshund, released on February 16, 1966. The cast included “Lucy” veterans Charles Lane, Bobby Jellison, Parley Baer, Dorothy Konrad, and Leoda Richards.
Sam Harris died on October 22, 1969 at age 92.
