'Brady Bunch' Actor Dies In Los Angeles At 84 (Sam the Butcher)

'Brady Bunch' Actor Dies In Los Angeles At 84

LOS ANGELES -- Allan Melvin, a character actor best known for playing Sam the Butcher on "The Brady Bunch," has died. He was 84.

Melvin died of cancer Thursday at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, said Amalia Melvin, his wife of 64 years.

The jowly, jovial Melvin spent decades playing a series of sidekicks, second bananas and lovable lugs, including Archie Bunker's friend Barney Hefner on "All in the Family," and Sgt. Bilko's right-hand man Cpl. Henshaw on the "Phil Silvers Show."

But his place in pop culture will be fixed as butcher and bowler Sam Franklin, the love interest of Brady family maid Alice Nelson, who was played by Ann B. Davis. Melvin played the role from 1970 to 1973.

http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-01-19-0008.html

He was a great character actor.

I didn't recognize the name but I remember the face! Didn't he play Barney on "All in the Family". If he was, he was Archie's co-worker and bowling partner. His wife was played by Estelle Parsons, who in turn, played Rosanne's mother on "Roseanne".

Sidekicks never get the credit they deserve.

He played multiple roles there - escaped con, cop, and my favorite, a bully who threatens to beat up Barney if he ever catches him out of uniform.

Classy guy. I read that he married his wife in 1944, and they were together right up until his death. 64 years. Wow.