Full Name Milton Stewart Role Character actor Name Mel Stewart | Years active 1959–1993 Spouse Annie Dong (m. 1976–2002) | |
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Born September 19, 1929 ( 1929-09-19 ) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Other names Melvin StewartMelvin Stuart Movies and TV shows | ||
Milton "Mel" Stewart (September 19, 1929 – February 24, 2002) was an American character actor, television director, and musician who appeared in numerous films and television shows from the 1960s to the 1990s. He is best known for playing Henry Jefferson on the popular television series All in the Family and for playing section chief Billy Melrose on the television series Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Stewart is sometimes credited as Melvin Stewart or Mel Stuart.
Contents
Career
Mel Stewart began his acting career in 1959 with small roles in TV and films. In the early 1960s, Stewart also appeared in the Broadway shows Purlie Victorious, The Hostage, The Cool World, and Simply Heavenly.
Stewart's early career also included notable work as a voice actor. He provided the narration for "Scenes in the City", a long jazz composition with a text by Lonne Elder and Langston Hughes that appeared on Charles Mingus' 1957 album A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry. In 1961, Stewart recorded an album of Langston Hughes' poetry on Folkways Records: Langston Hughes' The Best of Simple. He was also a member of the San Francisco-based improv group, The Committee and appeared in 1969 on The Dick Cavett Show.
Stewart went on to land roles in various television series including That Girl, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Bob Newhart Show, Good Times, and Harry O. One of his most memorable roles was as Henry Jefferson, George Jefferson's brother, in the series All in the Family. In 1973, he co-starred in the short-lived series Roll Out. The following year, Stewart directed two episodes of another short-lived series Get Christie Love!, then co-starred in On the Rocks. After On the Rocks was canceled in 1976, Stewart portrayed the role of Marvin Decker in the Bewitched spin-off series Tabitha from 1977 to 1978.
In the 1980s, Stewart starred on Scarecrow and Mrs. King as section chief Billy Melrose during the show's four-year run from 1983 through 1987, and continued guest starring in both television and films. His last on screen appearance came in the 1993 film Made in America, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson.
Side projects
In addition to acting and directing, Stewart was an accomplished jazz saxophonist. A longtime resident of San Francisco, he also taught acting at San Francisco State University. His students included actor Danny Glover. He established the theater group Black Actors Now Through Unity (BANTU) and directed plays at the Center for African and African-American Art and Culture in San Francisco and the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley, California.
A third degree black belt in aikido, Stewart opened a dojo for inner-city youth in the Bayview district of San Francisco.
Personal life and death
On July 11, 1976, Stewart married Annie Dong. The couple had one child together, a daughter. On February 24, 2002, Mel Stewart died of Alzheimer's disease.
Filmography
Actor
1993
Made in America as
Principal Rockwell
1990
In the Heat of the Night (TV Series) as
Calvin Peterson
- Lessons Learned (1990) - Calvin Peterson
- Brotherly Love: Part 2 (1990) - Calvin Peterson
- Brotherly Love: Part 1 (1990) - Calvin Peterson
1990
Generations (TV Series) as
Reverend Cole
- Episode #1.270 (1990) - Reverend Cole
1990
Bride of Re-Animator as
Dr. Graves
1989
Martians Go Home as
Judge
1989
The Golden Girls (TV Series) as
Judge
- Love Under the Big Top (1989) - Judge
1989
Heartland (TV Series) as
Len Steerman
- Girl Wrestler (1989) - Len Steerman
- The Tornado (1989) - Len Steerman
1989
Matlock (TV Series) as
Sgt. Lou Marshall
- The Mayor: Part 2 (1989) - Sgt. Lou Marshall
- The Mayor: Part 1 (1989) - Sgt. Lou Marshall
1989
227 (TV Series) as
Franklin McGee
- The Real Decoys (1989) - Franklin McGee
1988
Dead Heat as
Captain Mayberry
1988
Frank's Place (TV Series) as
Bob Coleman
- Cultural Exchange (1988) - Bob Coleman
1987
Amen (TV Series) as
Brother Clark
- California Dreaming (1987) - Brother Clark
1983
Scarecrow and Mrs. King (TV Series) as
Billy Melrose
- The Khrushchev List (1987) - Billy Melrose
- A Matter of Choice (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Suitable for Framing (1987) - Billy Melrose
- All That Glitters (1987) - Billy Melrose
- One Flew East (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Mission of Gold (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Do You Take This Spy? (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Bad Timing (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Rumors of My Death (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Promises to Keep (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Any Number Can Play (1987) - Billy Melrose
- Santa's Got a Brand New Bag (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Need to Know (1986) - Billy Melrose
- The Man Who Died Twice (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Photo Finish (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Billy's Lost Weekend (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Night Crawler (1986) - Billy Melrose
- It's in the Water (1986) - Billy Melrose
- No Thanks for the Memory (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Unfinished Business (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Stemwinder: Part 2 (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Stemwinder: Part 1 (1986) - Billy Melrose
- All the World's a Stage (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Three Little Spies (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Dead Men Leave No Trails (1986) - Billy Melrose
- The Boy Who Could Be King (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Wrong Number (1986) - Billy Melrose
- The Eyes Have It (1986) - Billy Melrose
- The Triumvirate (1986) - Billy Melrose
- The Pharoah's Engineer (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Playing for Keeps (1986) - Billy Melrose
- One Bear Dances, One Bear Doesn't (1986) - Billy Melrose
- Fast Food for Thought (1985) - Billy Melrose
- The Wrong Way Home (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Flight to Freedom (1985) - Billy Melrose
- J. Edgar's Ghost (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Reach for the Sky (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Utopia Now (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Sour Grapes (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Welcome to America, Mr. Brand (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Tail of the Dancing Weasel (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Over the Limit (1985) - Billy Melrose
- We're Off to See the Wizard (1985) - Billy Melrose
- A Lovely Little Affair (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Vigilante Mothers (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Murder Between Friends (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Burn Out (1985) - Billy Melrose
- You Only Die Twice (1985) - Billy Melrose
- DOA: Delirious on Arrival (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Car Wars (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Odds on a Dead Pigeon (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Life of the Party (1985) - Billy Melrose
- A Relative Situation (1985) - Billy Melrose
- A Little Sex, a Little Scandal (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Spiderweb (1985) - Billy Melrose
- Ship of Spies (1985) - Billy Melrose
- The Three Faces of Emily (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Playing Possum (1984) - Billy Melrose
- A Class Act (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Affair at Bromfield Hall (1984) - Billy Melrose (credit only)
- Our Man in Tegernsee (1984) - Billy Melrose (credit only)
- Brunettes Are In (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Charity Begins at Home (1984) - Billy Melrose
- The Legend of Das Geisterschloss (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Double Agent (1984) - Billy Melrose
- The Times They Are a Changin' (1984) - Billy Melrose
- To Catch a Mongoose (1984) - Billy Melrose (voice)
- Waiting for Godorsky (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Weekend (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Fearless Dotty (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Filming Raul (1984) - Billy Melrose
- The Artful Dodger (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Savior (1984) - Billy Melrose
- The Mole (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Dead Ringer (1984) - Billy Melrose
- I Am Not Now, nor Have I Ever Been- a Spy (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Lost and Found (1984) - Billy Melrose
- Remembrance of Things Past (1984) - Billy Melrose
- The Long Christmas Eve (1983) - Billy Melrose
- Sudden Death (1983) - Billy Melrose
- Saved by the Bells (1983) - Billy Melrose
- Service Above and Beyond (1983) - Billy Melrose
- Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth (1983) - Billy Melrose
- The ACM Kid (1983) - Billy Melrose
- Magic Bus (1983) - Billy Melrose
- If Thoughts Could Kill (1983) - Billy Melrose
- There Goes the Neighborhood (1983) - Billy Melrose
- The First Time (1983) - Billy Melrose (as Mel Stuart)
1984
Booker (TV Movie) as
Reverend Rice
1984
The Outlaws (TV Movie) as
Detective Lou Franklin
1980
The Love Boat (TV Series) as
Charles Evans / Charles, Isaac's Uncle
- The Dog Show: Putting on the Dog/Going to the Dogs/Women's Best Friend/Whose Dog Is It Anyway? (1983) - Charles Evans
- The Baby Alarm/Tell Her She's Great/Matchmaker, Matchmaker Times Two (1980) - Charles, Isaac's Uncle
1983
The Invisible Woman (TV Movie) as
Security Guard
1983
The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (TV Movie) as
Debs
1982
Mr. Merlin (TV Series) as
the Bus Driver
- Alex Goes Popless (1982) - the Bus Driver
1981
Whose Life Is It Anyway? as
Dr. Barr
1981
The Greatest American Hero (TV Series) as
Sherman
- Saturday Night on Sunset Boulevard (1981) - Sherman
1981
The Big Stuffed Dog (TV Movie) as
Superintendent
1981
Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) as
Hertzell Lundy
- Make a Joyful Noise (1981) - Hertzell Lundy
1980
Freebie and the Bean (TV Series) as
Rodney 'Axle' Blake
1980
Baby Comes Home (TV Movie) as
Mr. Adams
1980
One in a Million (TV Series) as
Raymond
- The Italian Connection (1980) - Raymond
- The Committee (1980) - Raymond
- Max Falls in Love (1980) - Raymond
- Suddenly Single (1980) - Raymond
- The Chairman Babysits (1980) - Raymond
- Lost Weekend (1980) - Raymond
- On the Cuff (1980) - Raymond
- Shirley's Prince of a Guy (1980) - Raymond
- Executive Dad (1980) - Raymond
- Chairman of the Board (1980) - Raymond
1979
Stone (TV Series) as
Captain Patchett
- Case Number HM-89428, Homicide (1980)
- But Can She Type? (1980)
- Pilot (1979) - Captain Patchett
1980
Marriage Is Alive and Well (TV Movie) as
Judge Elton Sheffield
1980
Soap (TV Series) as
Walter Coleman
- Episode #3.14 (1980) - Walter Coleman
1979
The Death of Ocean View Park (TV Movie) as
Herman Reece
1979
Benson (TV Series) as
Lerome
- The President's Double (1979) - Lerome
1979
Stone (TV Movie) as
Captain Patchett
1979
Good Ol' Boys (TV Movie) as
Isaac
1979
Roots: The Next Generations (TV Mini Series) as
Dr. Crawford
- Part V (1932-1933) (1979) - Dr. Crawford
1978
Ring of Passion (TV Movie) as
Julian Black
1977
Tabitha (TV Series) as
Marvin Decker
- Tabitha's Party (1978) - Marvin Decker
- Paul Goes to New York (1978) - Marvin Decker
- What's Wrong with Mister Right? (1977) - Marvin Decker
- That New Black Magic (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Tabitha's Triangle (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Arrival of Nancy (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Mr. Nice Guy (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Minerva Goes Straight (1977) - Marvin Decker
- A Star Is Born (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Halloween Show (1977) - Marvin Decker
- Tabitha's Weighty Problem (1977) - Marvin Decker
- The Pilot (1977) - Marvin Decker
1977
The Last Hurrah (TV Movie) as
Herb Ripley
1977
Sanford and Son (TV Series) as
Clarence Richardson
- Fred the Activist (1977) - Clarence Richardson
1977
What's Happening!! (TV Series) as
Spike Gibbs
- The Hospital Stay (1977) - Spike Gibbs
1975
On the Rocks (TV Series) as
Mr. Gibson
- High Noon (1976) - Mr. Gibson
- Free and Clear (1976) - Mr. Gibson
- Testing, Testing (1976) - Mr. Gibson
- Friendly Persuasion (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- The High and the Mighty: Part 2 (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- The Great Escape (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- Sullivan's Finest Hour (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- Peace and Quiet (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- Champion (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- Mr. Lonelyhearts (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- The Wagers of Sin (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- To Catch a Thief (1975) - Mr. Gibson
- Old Fish, New Fish (1975) - Mr. Gibson
1975
Let's Do It Again as
Ellison
1975
Police Story (TV Series) as
Sergeant Waters
- A Community of Victims (1975) - Sergeant Waters
1975
That's My Mama (TV Series) as
Laforche
- Business Is Business (1975) - Laforche
1975
Salt and Pepe (TV Movie) as
Jeremiah Salt
1975
The Last Survivors (TV Movie) as
Sid Douglas
1975
The Rockford Files (TV Series) as
Police Lieutenant
- Charlie Harris at Large (1975) - Police Lieutenant
1970
Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) as
Chet Wiggins / Sam Kincaid
- The Resident (1974) - Chet Wiggins
- The Soft Phrase of Peace (1970) - Sam Kincaid (as Melvin Stewart)
1974
Punch and Jody (TV Movie) as
Woody (uncredited)
1974
Lucas Tanner (TV Series) as
Mr. Browder
- Look the Other Way (1974) - Mr. Browder
1973
Harry O (TV Series) as
Roy Bardello / Sgt. Arvin Granger
- Ballinger's Choice (1974) - Roy Bardello
- Gertrude (1974) - Roy Bardello
- Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On (1973) - Sgt. Arvin Granger (as Melvin Stewart)
1974
Good Times (TV Series) as
Davis
- J.J. Becomes a Man: Part 2: J.J. Is Arrested (1974) - Davis (as Melvin Stewart)
1974
Newman's Law as
Quist
1974
Toma (TV Series) as
George Sawtelle
- A Funeral for Max Berlin (1974) - George Sawtelle (as Melvin Stewart)
1973
Roll Out (TV Series) as
Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Didn't He Ramble (1974) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Honor Truck (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Christmas of '44 (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- No Wages: All Fear (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- The Paper Caper (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Members of the Wedding (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Sweet Millions (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Dear Rocco (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Sunday, Sweet Sunday (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Dark Victory (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Blues for B.J. (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
- Pilot (1973) - Sgt. B.J. Bryant
1973
Blood, Black and White
1971
All in the Family (TV Series) as
Henry Jefferson / Henry / Mr. Jefferson
- Henry's Farewell (1973) - Henry (as Melvin Stewart)
- We're Having a Heat Wave (1973) - Henry Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- Gloria the Victim (1973) - Henry Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- Edith's Winning Ticket (1972) - Henry Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- Lionel Steps Out (1972) - Henry Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- Christmas Day at the Bunkers' (1971) - Henry Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- Mike's Problem (1971) - Mr. Jefferson (as Melvin Stewart)
- The First and Last Supper (1971) - Henry Jefferson
1973
Kid Blue as
Blackman (as Melvin Stewart)
1973
Scorpio as
Pick (as Melvin Stewart)
1973
The Bob Newhart Show (TV Series) as
Mr. Dabney
- Not with My Sister You Don't (1973) - Mr. Dabney
1973
Steelyard Blues as
Black Man in Jail
1972
Trick Baby as
Blue Howard
1972
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (TV Series) as
Dr. Walter Belasco
- A Substitute Womb (1972) - Dr. Walter Belasco (as Melvin Stewart)
1972
Hammer as
Professor
1971
Crosscurrent (TV Movie) as
Ernie Deeds (as Milton Stewart)
1971
Cry Uncle as
Lt. Fowler (as Melvin Stuart)
1971
The Bold Ones: The Senator (TV Series) as
Dawson
- A Single Blow of a Sword (1971) - Dawson (as Melvin Stewart)
1970
The Landlord as
Professor Duboise (as Melvin Stewart)
1969
Julia (TV Series) as
Larry Russell / Leroy L. Thorpe Jr.
- I'll Be Yours (1970) - Larry Russell (as Melvin Stewart)
- Sioux Me, Don't Woo Me (1970) - Larry Russell (as Melvin Stewart)
- Love is a Many Sighted Thing (1969) - Leroy L. Thorpe Jr.
1969
Turn-on (TV Series) as
Sketch Performer
- Episode #1.2 (1969) - Sketch Performer
1969
That Girl (TV Series) as
Dal
- Shake Hands and Come Out Acting (1969) - Dal
1969
Where It's At (as The Committee)
1968
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (TV Series) as
Various
- Episode #3.23 (1969) - Various (as The Committee)
- Episode #3.22 (1969) - Various (as The Committee)
- Episode #3.21 (1969) - Various (as The Committee)
- Episode #3.11 (1968) - Various (as The Committee)
- Episode #3.7 (1968) - Various (as The Committee)
1969
The Bold Ones: The Protectors (TV Series) as
Gamal
- Deadlock (1969) - Gamal (as Melvin Stewart)
1968
Petulia as
Supermarket Clerk (uncredited)
1967
Funnyman as
Phil
1964
Nothing But a Man as
Riddick (as Melvin Stewart)
1964
The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) as
Grand Jury Foreman
- The Love of a Smart Operator (1964) - Grand Jury Foreman
1964
The Defenders (TV Series) as
The Young Man
- The Non-Violent (1964) - The Young Man (as Melvin Stewart)
1963
East Side/West Side (TV Series) as
Dispatcher
- Not Bad for Openers (1963) - Dispatcher (as Melvin Stewart)
1963
The Cool World as
Con-man
1963
Greenwich Village Story as
Alex
1963
Naked City (TV Series) as
Pharmacist
- Barefoot on a Bed of Coals (1963) - Pharmacist (uncredited)
1961
Car 54, Where Are You? (TV Series) as
Officer Garfield / Officer Julie / Officer Julie - Dispatcher / ...
- The White Elephant (1963) - Officer Julie
- 142 Tickets on the Aisle (1962) - Officer Julie - Dispatcher (uncredited)
- Pretzel Mary (1962) - Officer Garfield (uncredited)
- That's Show Business (1962) - Officer - Dispatcher (uncredited)
- One Sleepy People (1962) - Police Dispatcher (uncredited)
- Hail to the Chief (1962) - Police Officer (uncredited)
- Something Nice for Sol (1961) - Officer Garfield (uncredited)
1960
Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) as
Hank Washington
- Raid in Beatnik Village (1960) - Hank Washington
1959
Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Jesse B. Simple
- Simply Heavenly (1959) - Jesse B. Simple (as Melvin Stewart)
1959
Odds Against Tomorrow as
Hotel Juno Elevator Operator (uncredited)
1958
Shadows as
Man at Party (uncredited)
Writer
1970
The Young Americans (TV Special)
1969
A Session with the Committee (Documentary) (uncredited)
1969
Music Scene (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode)
- Pilot (1969) - (written by)
1968
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (TV Series) (5 episodes)
- Episode #3.23 (1969)
- Episode #3.22 (1969)
- Episode #3.21 (1969)
- Episode #3.11 (1968)
- Episode #3.7 (1968)
Self
1977
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 20 January 1977 (1977) - Self - Guest
1970
The Young Americans (TV Special)(as The Committee)
1969
Della (TV Series)
- Episode #1.141 (1969) - (as The Committee)
1969
This Is Tom Jones (TV Series documentary)
- Episode #2.11 (1969) - (as The Committee)
1969
A Session with the Committee (Documentary) as
Various (as Melvin Stewart)
1969
The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series) as
Self - The Committee
- Janis Joplin/The Committee/Michael Thomas (1969) - Self - The Committee
1969
Music Scene (TV Series) as
Self - Host
- Pilot (1969) - Self - Host (as The Committee)
1969
Playboy After Dark (TV Series)
- Episode #1.20 (1969) - (as The Committee)
1969
Turn-on (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.1 (1969) - Self
1969
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (TV Series) as
Self - Commentor
- Ray Charles, Jackie Mason (1969) - Self - Commentor (uncredited)
Archive Footage
2022
Dark Side of the '90s (TV Series documentary) as
Henry Jefferson
- Black Sitcoms' Last Laugh (2022) - Henry Jefferson
2014
Pioneers of Television (TV Series documentary) as
Henry Jefferson - All in the Family
- Breaking Barriers (2014) - Henry Jefferson - All in the Family
1975
Harry O (TV Series) as
Arvin Granger
- Elegy for a Cop (1975) - Arvin Granger
References
Mel Stewart Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA