Reginald Gardiner

• Name — Reginald Gardiner • Birth Name — William Reginald Gardiner • Born — 27 February 1903 • Birthplace — London, England, UK • Died — 7 July 1980 • Place of death — Westwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Resting Place — Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1927–1968 • Spouse — Wyn Richmond (m. married 19??; div. divorced 19??) • Children — 2

Gardiner was born in Wimbledon, England, and he was a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His parents wanted him to be an architect, but he insisted on a career as an actor.

Gardiner started as a super on stage and eventually became well known on the West End stage. "He appeared in British revues, plays and films before delighting Broadway audiences in 1935 with a wallpaper imitation act in At Home Abroad." His other Broadway credits include Little Glass Clock and An Evening with Beatrice Lillie. He was also well known to radio listeners, and was known on the air for his amusing train and car noises.

Gardiner made numerous guest appearances on television in the 1950s and 1960s, including an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("Banquo's Chair"), Fess Parker's ABC series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Stanley Holloway's Our Man Higgins. In 1964, he guest-starred in the Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Ugly Duckling", as business owner Albert Charity, and in the role of Mr. Maudlin in the season 6, episode 19, "Dead as a Dude" of 77 Sunset Strip. In 1966, Gardiner was featured on Green Acres as orchestra conductor Sir Geoffrey in the episode "Culture". In 1967, he made a guest appearance on Petticoat Junction in the episode "Uncle Joe and the Master Plan", as Gaylord Martindale and, in 1968, he appeared as a butler in an episode of “The Monkees” titled “The Monkees Mind Their Manor” – his final performance. Gardiner's last major role was alongside Phyllis Diller in her 1966–1967 ABC series The Pruitts of Southampton.

Gardiner was married twice. He first married Wyn Richmond, a British actress, but they divorced. Later he married model Nadia Petrova. Gardiner and Nadia Petrova had a son Peter Robert Gardiner, born on April 25, 1949.

Gardiner died of a heart attack at his home in Westwood, California, on 7 July 1980. He was survived by his wife Nadia.

• The Lodger (1927) - Dancer at Ball (uncredited) • The Perfect Lady (1931) - Lord Tony Carderay • Josser on the River (1932) - Donald • Leave It to Smith (1933) - Lord Redwood • Radio Parade (1933) - Himself • The Diplomatic Lover (1934) - Dersingham • Virginia's Husband (1934) - John Craddock • Borrow a Million (1934) - Alastair Cartwright • A Little Bit of Bluff (1935) - Hugh Rigby • Royal Cavalcade (1935) - Bus Conductor • Opening Night (1935) • Born to Dance (1936) - Policeman • A Damsel in Distress (1937) - Keggs • Everybody Sing (1938) - Jerrold Hope • Marie Antoinette (1938) - Comte d'Artois • Sweethearts (1938) - Norman Trumpett • The Girl Downstairs (1938) - Willie • The Flying Deuces (1939) - François • The Night of Nights (1939) - J. Neville Prime • The Doctor Takes a Wife (1940) - John Pierce • Dulcy (1940) - Schuyler Van Dyke • The Great Dictator (1940) - Commander Schultz • My Life with Caroline (1941) - Paul • A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) - Roger Pillby • Sundown (1941) - Lieutenant Rodney 'Roddy' Turner • The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) - Beverly Carlton • Captains of the Clouds (1942) - Scrounger Harris • Immortal Sergeant (1943) - Tom Benedict • Forever and a Day (1943) - Assistant Hotel Manager • Claudia (1943) - Jerry Seymour • Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943) - Charles, Duke of Trippingham • The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945) - Composer / Archibald 'Archie' Dexter • Molly and Me (1945) - Harry Phillips / Peabody, the Butler • Christmas in Connecticut (1945) - John Sloan • The Dolly Sisters (1945) - Tony, Duke of Breck • Do You Love Me (1946) - Herbert Benham • One More Tomorrow (1946) - James 'Jim' Aloysius Fisk • Cluny Brown (1946) - Hilary Ames • I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (1947) - Will Hough • Fury at Furnace Creek (1948) - Captain Grover A. Walsh • That Lady in Ermine (1948) - Alberto • That Wonderful Urge (1948) - Count André de Guyon • Wabash Avenue (1950) - English Eddie • I'll Get By (1950) - Himself (uncredited) • Halls of Montezuma (1951) - Sergeant Johnson • Elopement (1951) - Roger Evans • Androcles and the Lion (1952) - Lentulus • Black Widow (1954) - Brian Mullen • Ain't Misbehavin (1955) - Anatole Piermont Rogers • The Birds and the Bees (1956) - Gerald • The Story of Mankind (1957) - William Shakespeare • Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958) - Harold Hermann • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1959) (Season 4 Episode 29: "Banquo's Chair") - Major Cook-Finch • Back Street (1961) - Dalian • Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) - Reggie McHugh • What a Way to Go! (1964) - Painter • Sergeant Deadhead (1965) - Lieutenant Commander Talbott • Do Not Disturb (1965) - Simmons

• Chance Acquaintance by John Van Druten (1927) • A Present from Margate by Ian Hay (1933)

• Year — Program — Episode/source • 1944 — Suspense — Voyage Through Darkness The Merry Widower