Raymond Thomas Bailey was an American actor on the Broadway stage, movies, and television. His Disney roles included Regent Burns in The Strongest Man in the World, a lawyer in Herbie Rides Again, Arnold Bixby in the Walt Disney Presents episode "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca: Law and Order, Incorporated", Mark Morgan in the Walt Disney Presents episode "Texas John Slaughter: Frank Clell's in Town", and Admiral Olmstead in The Absent-Minded Professor.
Bailey was born in San Francisco, California and traveled to Hollywood as a teenager to become a movie star. However, he spent more time doing short-term jobs than getting acting roles. Dejected, Bailey went to New York City where he had no better success obtaining roles in theatre. In 1938, he decided to try Hollywood again. and this time, he began getting some bit parts in movies, such as the character of Mr. West in the action adventure serial The Green Hornet. After the United States entered World War II, he again served in the United States Merchant Marine before returning to acting afterward.
Mainly gaining work through television, Bailey appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, My Friend Flicka, Gunsmoke, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The Rifleman, Laramie, Bat Masterson, The Jack Benny Program, 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone, Bonanza, The Untouchables, Have Gun-Will Travel, The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis, Pete and Gladys, The Donna Reed Show, Perry Mason, Mister Ed, and Wagon Train. However, his most recognized role is that of Mr. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies which he played from 1962 until the show's cancellation in 1971.
He also appeared in some Broadway plays and appeared small roles in Hollywood features, such as Tarantula!, Sabrina, Picnic, Vertigo, No Time for Sergeants, I Want to Live!, The Incredible Shrinking Man, King Creole, The Lineup, Al Capone, The Gallant Hours, Band of Angels, and Five Weeks in a Balloon.
By the 1970s, Bailey began feeling the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in his later years but continued to work up until 1975. He died of a heart attack on April 15, 1980, in Irvine, California. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Roles[]
(The Absent-Minded Professor)
(Herbie Rides Again)
