Orson Bean was a multifaceted American entertainer who excelled in film, television, and stage acting, as well as comedy. A familiar face on game shows throughout the 1960s-1980s, he notably served as a regular panelist on "To Tell the Truth." Bean also earned recognition for his exceptional storytelling abilities, leading to over 200 appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." Beyond his screen presence, Bean actively contributed to the Los Angeles theater community.
July 22, 1928: Birth of Orson Bean
Orson Bean was born Dallas Frederick Burrows on July 22, 1928.
1928: Early Life and Family
In 1928, Orson Bean was born in Burlington, Vermont, to Marian Ainsworth and George Frederick Burrows, a founding member of the ACLU. His cousin, Calvin Coolidge, was President at the time.
1946: Graduation and Military Service
Orson Bean graduated from Rindge Technical High School in 1946 and served in the U.S. Army in Japan.
June 15, 1952: Hosting Lower Basin Street
Orson Bean hosted a TV special of The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street on June 15, 1952.
1954: The Blue Angel
In 1954, Orson Bean was the house comic at The Blue Angel and hosted a television show of the same name.
1956: First Marriage
Orson Bean married actress Jacqueline de Sibour (stage name Rain Winslow) in 1956.
1960: Mr. Bevis
Orson Bean starred in the Twilight Zone episode "Mr. Bevis" in 1960.
1961: Broadway Success
Orson Bean received a Tony Award nomination for his role in Subways Are for Sleeping in 1961.
1961: The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Orson Bean starred in "The Country Mouse" episode of The DuPont Show with June Allyson in 1961.
1962: Divorce from Jacqueline de Sibour
Orson Bean and Jacqueline de Sibour divorced in 1962.
1964: Off-Broadway Production
Orson Bean produced the Off-Off-Broadway musical Home Movies, which won an Obie Award, and appeared in I Was Dancing in 1964.
1965: Founding Member of Sons of the Desert
In 1965, Orson Bean became a founding member of The Sons of the Desert, an organization dedicated to Laurel and Hardy.
1965: Second Marriage
Orson Bean married actress and fashion designer Carolyn Maxwell in 1965.
1966: Co-founder of 15th Street School
In 1966, Orson Bean co-founded the 15th Street School in New York City.
1966: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Album
Orson Bean voiced Charlie Brown on the 1966 concept album of the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
1967: Illya Darling
Orson Bean starred in the musical Illya Darling in 1967.
1971: Publication of "Me and the Orgone"
Orson Bean published his autobiographical book, Me and the Orgone: The True Story of One Man's Sexual Awakening, in 1971.
1974: The Tonight Show Appearance
In 1974, Orson Bean appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and shared the story of his stage name's origin.
September 23, 1976: Return to The Tonight Show
Orson Bean retold the story of his stage name on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson on September 23, 1976.
1977: The Hobbit
Orson Bean voiced Bilbo Baggins in the 1977 animated adaptation of The Hobbit.
1980: The Return of the King
Orson Bean voiced Frodo Baggins in the 1980 animated adaptation of The Return of the King.
1981: Divorce from Carolyn Maxwell
Orson Bean and Carolyn Maxwell divorced in 1981.
1985: Hosting a Pilot for Concentration
In 1985, Orson Bean hosted a pilot episode for a revamped version of the game show Concentration, but the series was not picked up.
1987: Innerspace
Orson Bean played Meg Ryan's editor in Joe Dante's 1987 film Innerspace.
1991: Game Show Appearances
In 1991, Orson Bean concluded his long run as a regular panelist on the game show To Tell the Truth.
1993: Marriage to Alley Mills
Orson Bean married Alley Mills, his co-star from The Wonder Years, in 1993.
1997: Daughter's Marriage
In 1997, Orson Bean's daughter, Susannah, married journalist Andrew Breitbart.
1999: Being John Malkovich
In 1999, Orson Bean appeared in Spike Jonze's film Being John Malkovich, playing the character of Dr. Lester.
2000: Will & Grace Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the Will & Grace episode "There But For the Grace of Grace" in 2000.
2001: Blacklisting and The Ed Sullivan Show
In 2001, Orson Bean discussed his blacklisting experience and how it affected his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
2003: 7th Heaven Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the final two episodes of 7th Heaven's seventh season in 2003.
2005: Two and a Half Men Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the Two and a Half Men episode "Does This Smell Funny to You?" in 2005.
2007: How I Met Your Mother Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Slapsgiving" in 2007.
2009: Desperate Housewives Role
Orson Bean began playing Roy Bender on Desperate Housewives in 2009.
2012: Andrew Breitbart's Death
Orson Bean's son-in-law, Andrew Breitbart, passed away in 2012.
2016: Modern Family Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the Modern Family episode "Playdates" in 2016.
2017: Teachers Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in an episode of Teachers in 2017.
2018: The Equalizer 2
In 2018, Orson Bean played a Holocaust survivor in the action thriller The Equalizer 2.
2019: Superstore Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the Superstore episode "Delivery Day" in 2019.
February 7, 2020: Death of Orson Bean
Orson Bean passed away on February 7, 2020.
2020: Grace and Frankie Appearance
Orson Bean appeared in the Grace and Frankie episode "The Scent" in 2020, which was his final television performance.
2020: Death
Orson Bean passed away in 2020.