James Lanphier was an American actor who appeared in several films and TV shows, most notably as the eccentric servant Saloud in the 1963 comedy film The Pink Panther. He was also a regular on the TV series Peter Gunn, where he played Leslie, a former mobster and gourmet. Lanphier had a distinctive voice and a flair for playing exotic characters, often of Middle Eastern or Indian origin. He worked frequently with director Blake Edwards, who praised his talent and versatility. Lanphier died unexpectedly in 1969, at the age of 48, from a stroke. What caused his sudden demise and how did his family and friends react to the news? Here is a brief overview of James Lanphier’s cause of death and his legacy.
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Early Life and Career
James Lanphier was born on August 31, 1920, in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, to Janet Grant Cobb and Thomas George Lanphier Sr., a colonel in the United States Army. He had two brothers, Thomas Jr. and Charles, who both became pilots. Lanphier attended a private boys’ school in upstate New York and made his stage debut as a juvenile in an army post drama. He later moved to Broadway, where he performed as a dancer in Mexican Hayride in 1944 and as Mr. Atkins in Dark of the Moon in 1945. He began his acting career on American television in 1949, appearing in various shows such as The Philco Television Playhouse, Kraft Television Theatre, and Studio One. In 1957, he made his feature film debut in an uncredited role in The Deadly Mantis, a sci-fi horror film about a giant prehistoric praying mantis.
Working with Blake Edwards
Lanphier’s career took off when he started working with Blake Edwards, a renowned filmmaker who created popular comedy films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, and The Party. Lanphier first met Edwards when he auditioned for a small role in The Perfect Furlough, a 1958 romantic comedy starring Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Edwards liked Lanphier’s voice and personality and cast him as the assistant hotel manager. Lanphier also appeared in Edwards’ Operation Petticoat, a 1959 comedy about a submarine crew during World War II, starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. Lanphier played Lt. Cmdr. Daly, a naval officer who inspects the submarine. Lanphier also had minor roles in Edwards’ High Time, a 1960 comedy about a middle-aged man who goes to college, starring Bing Crosby, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a 1961 romantic comedy based on the novel by Truman Capote, starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. Lanphier played the cousin of Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly, who visits her in New York.
Lanphier’s most memorable role with Edwards was in The Pink Panther, a 1963 comedy film that introduced the character of Inspector Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers. Lanphier played Saloud, the loyal servant of Princess Dala, played by Claudia Cardinale. Saloud is a comic foil to Clouseau, who suspects him of being involved in the theft of the Pink Panther diamond. Lanphier’s performance as Saloud was praised by critics and audiences alike, who enjoyed his witty dialogue and hilarious expressions. Lanphier also acted as a dialogue coach on the film, helping Cardinale with her English pronunciation. Lanphier continued to work with Edwards in several other films, such as Experiment in Terror, a 1962 thriller starring Glenn Ford and Lee Remick, where he played the landlord of Remick’s character; What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?, a 1966 comedy about a group of American soldiers who occupy an Italian village during World War II, where he played a villager; The Party, a 1968 comedy starring Peter Sellers as a bumbling Indian actor who causes chaos at a Hollywood party, where he played Harry, a waiter who befriends Sellers’ character; and Darling Lili, a 1970 musical comedy starring Julie Andrews and Rock Hudson, where he played a Hungarian maître d’hôtel. Lanphier’s last film role was in Darling Lili, which was released after his death.
Other Roles and Achievements
Besides working with Edwards, Lanphier also appeared in other films and TV shows, such as Flight of the Lost Balloon, a 1961 adventure film where he played a Hindu; Sex and the Single Girl, a 1964 comedy based on the book by Helen Gurley Brown, where he played a salesman; The Legend of Lylah Clare, a 1968 drama starring Kim Novak and Peter Finch, where he played a legman; and Gambit, a 1966 comedy starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine, where he played a garage attendant. Lanphier also had a recurring role on the TV series Peter Gunn, where he played Leslie, a former mobster who became a gourmet and a friend of the titular detective, played by Craig Stevens. Lanphier appeared in 15 episodes of the show, which ran from 1958 to 1961. Lanphier also guest-starred on other TV shows, such as Perry Mason, where he played Marius Stone, a murder suspect, in the 1965 episode “The Case of the Fatal Fetish”.
Lanphier was also a poet and a painter, who enjoyed writing and drawing in his spare time. He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Screen Actors Guild. He was also a devout Catholic and a supporter of various charities, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Cancer Society.
Cause of Death and Legacy
Lanphier suffered a cerebrovascular accident, also known as a stroke, which proved fatal on February 11, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. He was 48 years old. He was survived by his mother, Janet, his brothers, Thomas and Charles, and his nephews and nieces. He was buried at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park in Gilroy, California. His death was mourned by his family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and versatile actor, a kind and generous person, and a loyal and faithful friend. Blake Edwards dedicated his 1969 film The Reivers, starring Steve McQueen, to Lanphier’s memory.
Lanphier’s legacy lives on through his films and TV shows, which are still enjoyed by fans of comedy and classic cinema. He is especially remembered for his role as Saloud in The Pink Panther, which is considered one of the best comedy films of all time. Lanphier’s voice and mannerisms as Saloud have been imitated and parodied by many comedians and actors, such as Steve Martin, who played Clouseau in the 2006 remake of The Pink Panther and its 2009 sequel. Lanphier’s contribution to the film industry and the art of comedy is undeniable and deserves recognition and appreciation.
