FRITZ FELD

October 15, 1900

Fritz Feld was born Fritz Feilchenfeld in Berlin, Germany, in 1900. He eventually appeared in over 140 films in 72 years, both silent and sound. His trademark was to slap his mouth with the palm of his hand to create a ‘pop’ sound to indicated both his superiority and his annoyance. The first use of the ‘pop’ sound was in If You Knew Susie in 1948.

After immigrating to America in the 1920′s, he worked on two 1930 Broadway productions that were thematically ‘close to home’ for him: Grand Hotel (set in Berlin) and a play called Berlin.  He did not appear in the shows, but was a director. 

He appeared with Lucy in two 1938 films, Go Chase Yourself as Count Pierre Fountaine de Louis-Louis…

…and The Affairs of Annabel as Vladimir, a frustrated director. In that same year, Feld appeared in what would prove his most popular film, Bringing Up Baby starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. 

He made his television debut in 1949 with the series “Jackson and Jill” playing Jose Alvarado. The series ran through 1953 although for the most part it has been forgotten. 

In “Paris at Last” (ILL S5;E18) Feld plays the Tour Guide. He leads Fred and Ethel past the outdoor café where Lucy is lunching on snails!  Sadly, he does not do his trademark ‘pop’ and this is his only series appearance, his last time acting opposite Lucille Ball. 

Just before his day of shooting on “I Love Lucy,” Feld was employed by Lucy and Desi for an episode of their “December Bride” aired on Halloween night 1955. It also featured Lucy players Roy Roberts, Gail Bonney, and Almira Sessions. Executive Producer Desi Arnaz appeared on the series as himself in February 1956. 

From 1960 to 1962 Feld made three appearances on “The Danny Thomas Show”, filmed on the Desilu lot. He played three different characters on the series. In late 1958 and early 1959, the Williams’ and the Ricardos’ made reciprocal appearances on each others’ shows. Feld appeared on screen with Angela Cartwright (Linda), with whom he later did three episodes of Lost In Space (1966-67), all as Mr. Zumdish. 

His final film role was in Homer and Eddie starring Whoopie Goldberg and John Belushi. Feld played a mortician. 

From 1940 until his death in 1993, Feld was married to Virginia Christine who was famous for her role as Mrs. Olson in television commercials for Folgers Coffee. They had two children.