Charles Aidman
Aidman in an episode ofOne Step Beyond (1960)
Born	Charles Leonard Aidman (1925-01-21)January 21, 1925 Frankfort, Indiana, U.S.
Died	November 7, 1993(1993-11-07) (aged 68) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Resting place	Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, Los Angeles
Other names	Chuck Aidman
Education	DePauw University Indiana University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1952–1992
Spouse	Frances Garman ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1967)​ Betty Hyatt Linton ​ (m. 1969)​

Charles Leonard Aidman (January 21, 1925 – November 7, 1993) was an American stage, film and television actor.

Aidman was born inFrankfort, Indiana,^[1] the son of George E. and Etta (Kwitny) Aidman. Aidman graduated fromFrankfort High School and attendedDePauw University prior to serving as a gunnery officer in theUnited States Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to his home state and graduated fromIndiana University.^[2]

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Aidman guest-starred onNBC'sThe Virginian in the episode "The Devil's Children" and twice on the NBCWestern seriesThe Californians. He also appeared twice onRichard Diamond, Private Detective. He portrayed abounty hunter onABC's Western seriesBlack Saddle. He was cast inCBS's fantasy dramaThe Twilight Zone in the episodes "And When the Sky Was Opened" and "Little Girl Lost". He also guest-starred on other Western series, including the ABC/Warner Bros. seriesColt .45; ABC'sThe Rebel; CBS'sGunsmoke (in 5 episodes); NBC'sRiverboat (as Frank Paxton in the episode "The Fight at New Canal"); NBC'sThe Americans; CBS'sTrackdown (as Len Starbuck in "The Samaritan"); and CBS'sJohnny Ringo (as Jeffrey Blake in "The Stranger").

Aidman guest starred on the NBC children's WesternFury, in episodes of the ABC/WB crime dramaBourbon Street Beat, and in thesyndicated aviation adventure seriesWhirlybirds. He appeared in 1959 and 1960 in different roles on three episodes of the syndicated crime dramaU.S. Marshal. In 1960, Aidman made a guest appearance on theCBS courtroom dramaPerry Mason (as Arthur Siddons in "The Case of the Gallant Grafter"). Aidman also guest starred in a 1961 episode of the Western TV seriesBonanza (as Jim Applegate in "The Rival").

In 1961, in thePeter Gunn episode "Witness in the Window", Aidman hires Peter Gunn to investigate a woman who is blackmailing him over alleged sexual improprieties that he denies. In the NBC Western seriesThe Tall Man, in the episode "Shadow of the Past", Aidman was cast as Ben Wiley, the father of Sue Wiley, the latest girlfriend ofBilly the Kid.

In 1962 and 1963, he made two appearances onThe Dick Van Dyke Show. Also in 1963, Aidman was cast as George Ellsworth, an official with the United States Embassy inWarsaw,Poland, in the three-part episode "Security Risk" of theCBS anthology seriesGE True. He also played a sex-education teacher in the episode ofSlattery's People "Do the Ignorant Sleep in Pure White Sheets"? Also in 1963, Aidman adaptedSpoon River Anthology by poetEdgar Lee Masters into a theater production. It is a production that is still performed.^[3]

In 1965, he played a teacher in a sixth-season episode ofThe Andy Griffith Show. He appeared on the NBC Western seriesThe Road West in its 1966 episode "The Lean Years". That same year, Aidman played scientist Dr. Hollis, who turns into a werewolf in an episode ofVoyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He also guest-starred on CBS'sThe Wild Wild West during the series's fourth season in a recurring role as Jeremy Pike, one of Jim West's substitutesidekicks.^[4] In 1968, he appeared in ABC'sThe Invaders as research scientist Julian Reed, in the episode "The Pit". In 1970, Aidman appeared inHawaii Five-O as Dr. Royce, and in 1973 Aidman played in the episode "Seance" in Emergency!.

In 1974, he introduced the character Louis Willis (later known as Tom Willis), father-in-law-to-be ofLionel Jefferson, in the February 1974 episode of CBS'sAll in the Family "Lionel's Engagement". In 1977, Aidman played the father of Elmer Dobkins in an episode ofLittle House on the Prairie. Aidman appeared in an episode of thepolice dramaNakia. Also in 1977, in "The Grim Reaper" episode ofM*A*S*H, he portrayed Colonel Bloodworth, a callous, sadistic commander who takes pleasure in predicting casualties and reducing his troops to statistics. From 1985 to 1987, Aidman was the narrator of the revival ofThe Twilight Zone series (until he was replaced byRobin Ward).

His film roles includePork Chop Hill (1959),War Hunt (1962),Hour of the Gun (1967),Countdown (1968),Angel, Angel, Down We Go (1969),Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969),Adam at 6 A.M. (1970),Kotch (1971),Dirty Little Billy (1972),Deliver Us from Evil (1973),Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977),Zoot Suit (1981),Uncommon Valor (1983) andInnerspace (1987), his final feature-film appearance.

Aidman was married to model Frances Garman.^[2] In November 1993, he died ofcancer inBeverly Hills, California.^[5][1] He is interred in the Room of Prayer atWestwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery inLos Angeles.^[6]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toCharles Aidman.

• Charles Aidman atIMDb 
• Charles Aidman at theInternet Broadway Database
• Charles Aidman at theInternet Off-Broadway Database (archived)
• Charles Aidman atFind a Grave

• 1925 births
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• People from Frankfort, Indiana
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