Henry Gibson

Henry Gibson
Gibson as The Poet on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1969)
Born
James Bateman

(1935-09-21)September 21, 1935
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 14, 2009(2009-09-14) (aged 73)
Other namesOlsen Gibson
Alma materCatholic University of America
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • poet
Years active1943–2009
Spouse
Lois Joan Geiger
(m. 1966; died 2007)
Children3, including Charles Alexander Gibson

James Bateman (September 21, 1935 – September 14, 2009), known professionally as Henry Gibson, was an American actor, comedian and poet. He played roles in the television sketch-comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1971, was the voice of the protagonist Wilbur in the animated feature Charlotte's Web (1973), portrayed country star Haven Hamilton in Robert Altman's film Nashville (1975), the Illinois Nazi leader in The Blues Brothers (1980), and appeared in The 'Burbs (1989). His later film roles included starring in The Luck of the Irish (2001) and smaller parts in Magnolia (1999) and as Father O'Neil in Wedding Crashers (2005). His final major acting role was as Judge Clark Brown on the television show Boston Legal, from 2004 to 2008.