- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEdward Bryan Andrews Jr.
- Height6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
- The son of a Georgia minister, Edward Andrews debuted on stage in 1926 at age 12 and by 1935 had landed on Broadway. A solid character actor, his large physique and amiable demeanor made him a natural for the jovial, grandfatherly type or genial, small-town businessman which he often played, but also served him well when cast against type as a sinister, corrupt businessman or official; memorable as the glad-handing, charming but murderous leader of a corrupt political machine in The Phenix City Story (1955) and, later in his career, as Molly Ringwald's solicitous grandfather in Sixteen Candles (1984).- IMDb Mini Biography By: frankfob2@yahoo.com
- Edward Andrews' familiar face has been seen in guest-starring appearances on numerous television shows and as a character actor in many movies. His image as a boss, father-in-law or other authority figure only grew as he aged, his stark white hair and glasses adding to the effect. He was frequently on Love, American Style (1969) and also turned in strong work as Admiral Harold Stark in Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970).
Andrews may be best remembered by a generation of TV viewers, though, for his highly successful long-distance telephone commercials, beginning in the mid 1970s. This seemed to be a perfect fit for Andrews, as a long-suffering businessman who has finally hit on a winning combination late in his career. Later commercials featured Gordon Jump (of WKRP) as "Jenkins," his competitor who copies Andrews' long-distance success ... but always stays a step or two behind.- IMDb Mini Biography By: mlevans
- SpouseEmily Jean Barnes(August 21, 1955 - March 8, 1985) (his death, 3 children)
- Horn rimmed glasses
- Joined a stock company at age 20 and acted on stage for twenty years straight.
- Attended the University of Virginia for three years.
- Member of Theta Chi Fraternity (Xi Chapter, University of Virginia)
- Clay Clement told me once, "Are you ready for an absolute truism? I've been working on this for about 40 years and I'm finally ready to pass it on to you". He was doing a picture with Elia Kazan at the time and he said, "Just two days ago I did it again and it worked beautifully. I'll tell you what to do in one sentence when any director says anything to you at any time, 'You just do what you are doing, except a little bit louder'. And if you substitute for the word "loud" [the word] conviction", I think you've got it made. I think that's a lovely piece of advice. He used to always say, "Remember, it's conviction, conviction, conviction. Sweeps all before it. If you're ever in a situation where you're stuck and the theatrical tradition or your own technique doesn't tell you what to do, just make up anything -- within reason -- and then do it with all the conviction in the world and believe me, it'll work".
- I'm cocky enough, still, to say that the things I do best there isn't anyone in the business that can do them better than I. There are roles nobody can play better than I. It seems awfully immodest, but I have no doubt about it in the world.
- I always figure any fool can learn lines, but what they pay you for is to say 'em better than anybody else can say 'em.
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