# Bob Sweeney (actor and director)

Bob Sweeney (October 19, 1918 – June 7, 1992) was an American actor, director and producer of radio, television and film.

## Early years

Bob Sweeney was a graduate of San Francisco State College. In the early part of World War II, he and college classmate George Fenneman formed a stand-up comedy team and entertained troops at military bases.

## Early career on radio and television

From 1944 through 1948 Sweeney teamed with comedy partner Hal March in The Bob Sweeney-Hal March Show on CBS Radio. He went on to appear as a supporting character in various sitcoms in the early days of television including the role of Gilmore Cobb in the television version of My Favorite Husband (1953–54) with co-stars Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson. Sweeney made appearances on The Rifleman and Our Miss Brooks during its last two seasons of production (1955–1956) working alongside Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, and Richard Crenna.
From 1956 to 1957, Sweeney starred with Gordon in the TV sitcom The Brothers. In 1959, he landed the lead role on the short-lived NBC television series Fibber McGee and Molly opposite Cathy Lewis. Unlike its radio counterpart, Fibber McGee failed on television and was cancelled after less than one season. During that same season, Sweeney directed the 18-week NBC sitcom Love and Marriage set in Tin Pan Alley of New York City. His co-stars were William Demarest, Stubby Kaye, Jeanne Bal, and Murray Hamilton.

## Movie roles

Sweeney's film credits as an actor include the role of the undertaker in John Ford's The Last Hurrah (1958), as manipulative circus manager Harry Tupper in the Disney film Toby Tyler (1960), and as a humorously aggressive IRS agent Mr. Harker in another Disney film, Son of Flubber (1963). Sweeney also appeared as Cousin Bob in Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964).

## Directing and producing

Sweeney is best known for his successes as a television director and producer, most notably as the director of 102 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and as producer and/or director of episodes of several other highly successful TV series including That Girl, Hawaii Five-O, The Love Boat, Matlock, Hogan's Heroes, and Dynasty. He also directed Gene Evans's unsuccessful 1976 CBS adventure series, Spencer's Pilots. He also directed Accidental Family. Sweeney was nominated for an Emmy Award once for The Love Boat (1983).

## Personal details

Sweeney and his wife, Bev, had one child, a daughter, Bridget.

## Death

Sweeney died of cancer in Westlake Village, California, on June 7, 1992.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1952 | It Grows on Trees | McGuire | |
| 1953 | South Sea Woman | Defense Lieutenant Miller | |
| 1954 | A Christmas Carol | Bob Cratchitt | |
| 1953 | Mister Scoutmaster | Mr. Hackett | Uncredited |
| 1958 | The Last Hurrah | Johnny Degnan | |
| 1960 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | William Spengler | Season 5 Episode 36: "Letter of Credit" |
| 1960 | Toby Tyler | Harry Tupper | |
| 1961 | A Raisin in the Sun | Insurance Company Agent | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Moon Pilot | Senator Henry McGuire | |
| 1963 | Son of Flubber | Mr. Harker | |
| 1964 | Marnie | Cousin Bob | |
| 1978 | The Irishman | Nat Simpson | |
| 1990 | Book of Love | Mr. Snow | |
| 1991 | Born to Ride | Gus, Owner of Gus's Garage | (final film role) |