One of the most familiar faces in television and movies is Burt Mustin who appeared in hundreds of roles as a jocular, spunky, and generally on the beam old codger. He is best remembered by me as Gus the fireman on Leave It To Beaver, but played many, many character roles throughout his career.
Burton Hill Mustin was born on February 8, 1884 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mustin graduated from Pennsylvania Military College with a degree in civil engineering. He worked as an engineer and later went into sales selling automobiles. He performed in amateur productions in local theater companies. Retiring to Arizona, Mustin began his professional acting career at age 67 when director William Wyler discovered him in a stage production of Detective Story and cast him in the 1951 film version of the same name. Mustin's acting career then took off, and he began landing roles in films and television series.
Mustin married Frances Robina Woods in 1915 and remained together for 54 years, until her death in 1969. They had no children.
Mustin died at Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California, on January 28, 1977 at the age of 92.
Bonanza Episodes
The Many Faces of Gideon Flinch S3
The Saga of Whizzer McGee S4
The Meredith Smith S7
A Real Nice, Friendly Little Town S8