Bern Hoffman
Benjamin Bernard Hoffman (February 17, 1913 – December 15, 1979) was an American film, television and theatre actor. He was perhaps best known for playing "Earthquake McGoon" in Li'l Abner, both on the Broadway play and on film. Life and career. Hoffman was born in Maryland, the son of Rose Hoffman. He had a brother and a sister. Hoffman attended Johns Hopkins University, where he studied medicine, and also attended Loyola College, where he studied explosives engineering. Hoffman left college to help out and support his family. Hoffman began his career in 1937, when he appeared in two films , "Meet the Missus" and "Forty Naughty Girls", playing the uncredited role of the "Orchestra Leader" in both films. Hoffman made his theatre debut in 1944, appearing in the Broadway play titled "Catherine Was Great". He also played the role of "Joey Biltmore" in "Guys and Dolls", during its first production. Hoffman later played the role of "Pawnee Bill" in the Broadway play "Annie Get Your Gun". Hoffman later moved to North Hollywood, California with his family. He played the role of "Earthquake McGoon" in the film version of the Broadway play "Li'l Abner". Hoffman’s film and television credits include , "Tombstone Territory", "The Man Who Understood Women", "Ironside", "Death Valley Days", "The Phil Silvers Show", "Somebody Up There Likes Me", "Rawhide", "The Outfit" and "The Streets of San Francisco". Death. Hoffman died in December 1979 at the Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 66. He was buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.