Born Name:  Harold Albertson

Born Date:  June 16, 1907

Born Place:  Malden, Massachusetts

Died Date:  November 25, 1981

Died Place:  Los Angeles, California

Occupations:  Actor, dancer, singer, comedian

Brief Biography:  He is best known for his roles as Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), Ed Brown in Chico and the Man (1974–1978), and his Oscar-winning performance in The Subject Was Roses (1968).

Early Life and Career:
Upbringing: Raised by his mother and stepfather, Alex Erlich, after his father left.
Albertson dropped out of high school, ending his formal education after a single year. He worked at several different jobs including the local General Electric plant; in one of many shoe factories in the Lynn, Massachusetts area; and as a rack boy in neighborhood pool parlor. including in a pool hall where he learned to dance, eventually starting his career in vaudeville.

Career Highlights:
Stage and Screen: Won a Tony Award for the Broadway production of The Subject Was Roses and subsequently won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film adaptation (1968).
Iconic Roles: Played the beloved Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) at age 64 and appeared as Manny Rosen in The Poseidon Adventure (1972).
Television: Starred in the sitcom Chico and the Man (1974–1978), winning an Emmy for the role.
Final Role: Provided the voice for Amos Slade in Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981).
Awards: In addition to his Oscar and Emmy, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.