Simon Oakland was one of the most memorable tough guys in Hollywood, who appeared in over 130 TV shows and movies, including classics like Psycho, West Side Story, and Bullitt. He was also a talented musician and a Broadway star, who had a passion for theater. But behind his rugged persona, he was also a loving husband and father, who fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. Here is the story of his life and death, and how he left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Simon Oakland was born on August 28, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant Jewish parents from Romania and Russia. His birth name was Simon Weiss, but he later changed it to Oakland, after his mother’s maiden name. He began his performing career as a violinist, playing in orchestras and radio shows. He also served in the Army during World War II.
He turned to acting in the late 1940s, and made his Broadway debut in 1950, in a play called Light Up the Sky. He went on to star in several other Broadway hits, such as The Shrike, Inherit the Wind, and The Crucible. He was praised for his versatility and intensity on stage.
He made his film debut in 1955, as an uncredited state trooper in The Desperate Hours. He gained recognition for his role as a sympathetic journalist in I Want to Live!, a 1958 film based on the true story of Barbara Graham, a woman who was executed for murder. He received positive reviews for his performance, and established himself as a character actor who could play tough but compassionate roles.
Film and Television Roles
Oakland’s film career took off in the 1960s, when he appeared in some of the most iconic films of the decade. He played Dr. Richmond, the psychiatrist who explained Norman Bates’s psychosis in Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He played Lieutenant Schrank, the bigoted cop who harassed the Jets and the Sharks in West Side Story, the musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. He played Stawski, the cynical journalist who befriended Steve McQueen’s character in The Sand Pebbles, a war drama set in China. He played Captain Bennett, the police chief who assigned McQueen’s character to protect a witness in Bullitt, one of the most famous car chase movies ever made.
He also appeared in many other films, such as The Miracle Worker, The Hunting Party, Chato’s Land, Black Sunday, and The Final Countdown. He often played authority figures or villains, but he also showed his comedic side in some roles.
He was equally prolific on television, appearing in over 130 series and TV movies. He guest-starred on many popular shows, such as Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, Kojak, The Rockford Files, and Murder She Wrote. He also had recurring or regular roles on several shows, such as Toma, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Report to Murphy, and Blacke’s Magic.
He was known for his professionalism and dedication to his craft. He often traveled between New York and California to work on both theater and film projects. He also maintained his interest in music throughout his career.
Personal Life and Death
Oakland was married to Lois Lorraine Porta since 1943. They had one son together, named Stephen Oakland. They lived in both New York and California.
Oakland was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1970s. He continued to work despite his illness, appearing in his last film role in Echoes (1982) and his last TV role in Knight Rider (1983).
He died on August 29, 1983, at his home in Cathedral City, California. He was 68 years old. According to IMDb, he died of cancer.
He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Legacy
Simon Oakland left behind a rich and diverse body of work that spanned four decades. He was admired by his peers and fans for his talent and charisma. He was one of the most recognizable faces of Hollywood’s golden age.
He received several awards and honors for his work. He won a Theatre World Award for his Broadway debut in Light Up the Sky. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for his TV roles in Breaking Point (1964) and The F.B.I. (1971). He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to television.
He is remembered as one of the best character actors of all time. His roles have been cited as influences by many actors who followed him. His films have been preserved by the Library of Congress as being culturally significant.
Simon Oakland cause of death was a sad end to a brilliant career. But his legacy lives on in his films, TV shows, and theater performances. He was a true star who shone in every medium he worked in.
