Ben Alexander
|
Ben Alexander (May 26, 1911 – July 5, 1969) was a American actor.
Born Nicholas Benton Alexander in Goldfield, Nevada, he began his career in film at age fifteen. His film career was primarily limited to secondary roles and in the mid 1930s he turned to a new career as a radio announcer. By 1952, Alexander had been out of acting for more than eight years when Jack Webb chose him to replace Herbert Ellis in the role of "Officer Frank Smith" in the TV series Dragnet. Alexander proved to be a very popular addition to the show as Webb's detective partner and remained with the series until it finished its long run in 1959. In 1966, Alexander played the role of detective on the TV series Felony Squad.
Ben Alexander is best remembered in film for his role in All Quiet on the Western Front.
Alexander also owned a Ford automobile dealership in Southern California.
For his contribution to the television industry, Ben Alexander has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6433 Hollywood Blvd.