PAUL DOUGLAS

April 11, 1907

Paul Douglas Fleischer was born in Philadelphia in 1907. After attending Yale, he made his Broadway debut in 1936. A decade later he appeared on the Great White Way in the highly successful Born Yesterday with Judy Holliday, winning both the Theatre World and Clarence Derwent awards. He turned down the opportunity to recreate his role in the 1950 film version of Born Yesterday when he found his part had been severely reduced. He did, however, get to play the role in a 1956 TV film with Mary Martin standing in for Holliday. 

“I was a character (actor) ever since I was born!” ~ Paul Douglas

Early in his career Douglas had worked in radio as a sportscaster and narrated documentary films. He made his feature film debut playing an uncredited role in 1943′s Margin for Error, starring Milton Berle. 

Douglas made his television debut in May 1946, in “Hour Glass” – television’s first variety show. 

In 1952, Douglas did a film with “I Love Lucy’s” William Frawley: Rhubarb, the Millionaire Tom-Cat.  Douglas was uncredited, but was in the company of many future “Lucy” performers: Larry J. Blake, Madge Blake, Oliver Blake, Gail Bonney, Harry Cheshire, Tristram Coffin, James Conaty, James Flavin, Sandra Gould, Strother Martin, Frank J. Scannell, and Bert Stevens.  The film starred Douglass’ fifth wife, Jan Sterling. 

“If you go to bat often enough, you’re bound to get a hit.” ~ Paul Douglas, on marrying Jan Sterling, his fifth wife

On April 13, 1959, Douglas appeared on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” episode “Lucy Wants a Career” (LDCH S2;E4) playing himself.

This is one of Paul Douglas’s last appearances. He died of a heart attack six months after the episode aired. He was 52 years old.  He was married five times and had two children.