PAUL DUBOV

October 10, 1918

Paul Dubov was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1918. He became a busy character actor appearing on radio, television, and films. His first film was Little Tough Guy (1938), one of the Dead End Kids movies. From 1942, he was a Universal contract player and was often found in the films of Samuel Fuller. He was seen on TV for the first time in April 1952 with an episode of “Gang Busters”. On radio, he was the second person to portray the title character on “The Adventures of Frank Race” (1949-1950). 

Although Dubov never made a film with Lucille Ball, he did appear (uncredited) with William Frawley (Fred Mertz) in We’ve Never Been Licked (1943). 

In October 1952 Dubov appeared on “I Love Lucy” in “The Handcuffs” (S2;E5). Dubov played Jerry, Ricky’s agent, a role usually played by Jerry Hausner. It is unclear whether this is supposed to be the same character and if so – why Hausner (who played the character subsequently) did not appear. 

This puts Dubov in a small group of actors who played “I Love Lucy” characters originated by another performer:

• Little Ricky – originated by John Michael Ganzer, but played by the Simmons Twins, the Mayer Twins, and Keith Thibodeaux. 
• Marion Strong – originated by Margie Liszt, assumed by Shirley Mitchell.
• Charlie Appleby – originated by Hy Averback, assumed by George O’Hanlon.
• Grace Munson – originated by Hazel Pierce, assumed by Ruth Brady. 

In 1958, Dubov was seen on “The Westinghouse-Desilu Playhouse” in “The Night The Phone Rang” by Aaron Spelling starring Eddie Albert. Executive Producer Desi Arnaz introduced the story. 

In 1959, “The Westinghouse-Desilu Playhouse” presented a two-part pilot for “The Untouchables.” In the pilot, Dubov played Jack Rossman. When the show was picked up for series, Dubov returned for three episodes, playing various characters from 1961 to 1962.  

In 1960, Dubov was back with the Ricardos, this time as Crandall, Ernie Kovacs’ chauffeur in “Lucy and the Mustache” (LDCH S3;E3). In the episode, Lucy disguises herself as Crandall, who has a mustache, just like his boss. This was the last time America would see Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel.  Coincidentally, in September 1958, Dubov appeared on an installment “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” in which Ernie Kovacs made a cameo appearance from the audience. Kovacs’ wife Edie Adams was co-hosting. 

From 1959 to 1961 Dubov played the recurring character of Michel on Desilu’s “The Ann Sothern Show” in six episodes. Lucille Ball played Lucy Ricardo on the series in October 1959, although the episode did not include Dubov’s Michel. 

From 1958 to 1962, Dubov appeared on “The Danny Thomas Show” seven times as 5 different characters. On his first two episodes he played a Maitre d’. In 1967 he played a Maitre d’ on “That Girl,” a series starring Thomas’ daughter, Marlo. “The Danny Thomas Show” was filmed on the Desilu lot and in late 1958 and early 1959, the Williams’ and the Ricardos’ made reciprocal appearances on each others’ shows. 

In 1963 Dubov married screenwriter Gwen Bagni with whom he created the 1965 TV series "Honey West”. In 1966, Dubov acted in an episode of the series. 

In 1979, Dubov was nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the mini-series Backstairs at the White House. It lost to The Jericho Mile.  Dubov died 10 days later, on September 20, 1979, at age 60 of cancer.