Wally Cox
Known for Acting · 78 credits
- Born
- 1924-12-06
- Died
- 1973-02-15
- Place of birth
- Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Also known as
- Wallace Maynard Cox
Biography
Wally Cox was a beloved character actor who made his mark in television and ranks as one of the medium's most memorable performers. His ability to show his range likely was limited by his short stature, slight frame, and high-pitched voice, which along with his talent for being very funny, made him ideal for comedy parts such as his memorable turn as Professor P. Caspar Biddle in "The Bird-Watchers" episode of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) in 1966. His television persona was that of a shy, timid man in horn-rimed glasses who spoke in a tentative, though distinctly enunciated, voice. It was a persona that his long-time friend Marlon Brando said was completely at odds with the real man.
Cox always will be remembered as the eponymous "Mr. Peepers" and the voice of "Underdog," but he was an actor of wider talents seldom used by the industry, as can be seen in his turns as the sonar operator in The Bedford Incident (1965) and as the potential suicide Wally Haverstraw in The Bill Cosby Show (1969) episode "Goodbye, Cruel World" in 1970. Dying unexpectedly on February 15, 1973, from what some newspapers described as an accidental overdose of sedatives but which Marlon Brando in his autobiography said was a heart attack, Wally Cox's cremated remains were kept hidden in a closet by his old friend for three decades. According to Brando's son Miko, both his father's and Cox's ashes were scattered at the same time in Death Valley, California, in a ceremony following Brando's death, thus reuniting the lifetime friends.
Known For
TV Shows (50)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
Love, American Style
1969
as Peter
Mission: Impossible
1966
as Terry Targo
Wagon Train
1957
as Vincent Eaglewood
Get Smart
1965
as TV Repairman (uncredited)
The Twilight Zone
1959
as James Elwood
The Beverly Hillbillies
1962
as Professor P. Caspar Biddle
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
as Self
The Odd Couple
1970
as Mr. Fegivney
Burke's Law
1963
as Count Carlo Szipesti / Dr. Heresford Handy
The Lucy Show
1962
as Harold Tuttle
What's My Line?
1950
as Self - Panelist
Matinee Theater
1955
Lost in Space
1965
as Tiabo
The Dick Cavett Show
1968
as Self - Guest
Night Gallery
1970
The Dick Van Dyke Show
1961
Here's Lucy
1968
as Rock Barnett / Wally Manley / Gustav Vandemeer / Tommy Tucker
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
The Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
1957
as Self
McMillan & Wife
1971
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
as Self (uncredited)
Suspense
1949
as Ace McCoy
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
as Self
It Takes a Thief
1968
as Tourist
Your Show of Shows
1950
I Spy
1965
as Herbie
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969
as Self
The Hollywood Palace
1964
as Self
The Bill Cosby Show
1969
as Wally Haverstraw
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
1966
as Little John Doe
Search
1972
Danger
1950
DuPont Show of the Month
1957
as Messenger 7013
Vacation Playhouse
1963
as Alfred
Hollywood Squares
1966
as Self
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Leslie Nettleton
Mister Roberts
1965
Underdog
1964
General Electric Theater
1953
as Monroe Winkler
The Lux Show
1957
as Self
Mister Peepers
1952
as Robinson Peepers
Max Liebman Presents
1954
The Adventures of Hiram Holliday
1956
as Hiram Holliday
Underdog
1964
as Underdog (Voice)
Movies (28)
Spencer's Mountain
1963
as Preacher Goodman
A Guide for the Married Man
1967
as Technical Adviser (Married 14 years)
Morituri
1965
as Dr. Ambach
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
1968
as Mr. Wampler
Television: The First Fifty Years
1999
as Robinson J. Peepers (archive footage)
The Bedford Incident
1965
as Seaman Merlin Queffle
The Barefoot Executive
1971
as Mertons
Fate Is the Hunter
1964
as Ralph Bundy
The Yellow Rolls-Royce
1964
as Ferguson
The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico County
1970
as Mr. Bester
Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths
1990
as (archive footage)
Reel Horror
1985
as Clyde (archive footage)
State Fair
1962
as Hipplewaite
Something's Got to Give
1962
as Shoe Salesman
The Young Country
1970
as Aaron Grimes / Ira Greebe
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
1976
as Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
The Night Strangler
1973
as Mr. Berry
Ironside
1967
as Scoutmaster
Up Your Teddy Bear
1970
as Clyde King
The Boatniks
1970
as Jason
Magic Carpet
1972
as Harold Kane
Murder at N.B.C.
1966
Quarantined
1970
as Wilbur Mott
Once Upon a Mattress
1972
as The Jester
Babes in Toyland
1954
as Grumio, the Toymaker
The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City
1970
as Becker
Heidi
1955
as Peter
Babes in Toyland
1955
as Grumio, the Toymaker
About Wally Cox
Wally Cox was a beloved character actor who made his mark in television and ranks as one of the medium's most memorable performers. His ability to show his range likely was limited by his short stature, slight frame, and high-pitched voice, which along with his talent for being very funny, made him ideal for comedy parts such as his memorable turn as Professor P. Caspar Biddle in "The Bird-Watchers" episode of The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) in 1966. His television persona was that of a shy, timid man in horn-rimed glasses who spoke in a tentat… With 78 credits spanning from 1948 to 1999, Wally Cox has appeared in 28 films and 50 TV shows.
Fans searching for Wally Cox movies, Wally Cox filmography, or the latest projects starring Wally Cox can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Wally Cox Movies
- Spencer's Mountain (1963) — as Preacher Goodman
- A Guide for the Married Man (1967) — as Technical Adviser (Married 14 years)
- Morituri (1965) — as Dr. Ambach
- The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968) — as Mr. Wampler
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) — as Robinson J. Peepers (archive footage)
Where to Watch Wally Cox Films
Most Wally Cox movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Wally Cox, check our movies catalogue and browse page.