Leonard Stone, a familiar character actor on television and in films who had a memorable turn as an overindulgent father in the 1971 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” died on Wednesday at his home in San Diego. He was 87.
Leonard Stone, Actor in ‘Willy Wonka,’ Dies at 87
By DANIEL E. SLOTNIK
Published: November 5, 2011
ABC, via Getty Images
Leonard Stone in a 1975 episode of “Barney Miller.”
Breaking news about the arts, coverage of live events, critical reviews, multimedia and more.
A sortable calendar of noteworthy cultural events in the New York region, selected by Times critics.
The cause was cancer, his granddaughter, Lindsey Fryman-Borchard, said.
Mr. Stone’s career of more than five decades began in the theater. He played the title role in an Off-Broadway production of “Titus Andronicus” in 1956, then appeared as Hugh Barton in a Broadway adaptation of Thomas Wolfe’s “Look Homeward Angel.” He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical “Redhead” (1959).
He became a ubiquitous supporting player on television, appearing on “General Hospital,” “Gunsmoke,” “Barney Miller” and “L.A. Law,” among other shows. He was in the campy science-fiction classic “Soylent Green” (1973) alongside Charlton Heston, and lent his voice to animated features like the rock musical “American Pop” (1981).
In “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” with Gene Wilder in the title role, Mr. Stone played Violet Beauregarde’s father, Sam. Violet chews forbidden gum meant to simulate the flavors of an entire meal, and on reaching dessert — blueberry pie — Violet turns purple and swells like an overripe plum. Mr. Beauregarde shouts “Violet! You’re turning violet, Violet!” and falls into paroxysms of concern.
Mr. Stone happily repeated the line when fans asked to hear it.
Leonard Stone was born on Nov. 3, 1923, in Salem, Ore. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, then moved to Australia, where he joined a traveling production of “South Pacific.”
In addition to his granddaughter, Mr. Stone is survived by his wife, Carole; three daughters, Robin and Debbie Stone and Jan Fryman; a son, Michael Merkow-Stone; and seven more grandchildren.
