Allan Melvin

February 18, 1923 – January 17, 2008


Arr. That’s Liquid-Plummer, matey. Just pour it in and it works.

 

Allan Melvin
Allan Melvin

 

Sam the Butcher is dead.  Allan Melvin will probably best be known for the Sam Franklin role on The Brady Bunch, but he was easily one of the most recognizable character actors in television. The Phil Silvers Show, All in the Family, Gomer Pyle USMC, he did them all.

He was also huge in the voice over world, doing shows like Scooby-Doo in Arabian Nights, Pufnstuf, The Flintstones, and he was the voice of Drooper in the The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.  I was a huge fan of the Splits, even sent them a fan letter, and got a response.

 

 

See, there is a reason I save things for 40 years.

Voice over wise, he was probably most remembered as the voice of Magilla Gorilla.

 

Allan Melvin was married to Amalia for 64 years. According to the IMDB, they had two daughters, Mya and Jennifer.  Mya passed away in 1970.

 

 

My sister Jo Ann Marshall provides this segment:

In 1990 I graduated from the California Highway Patrol Academy, and was assigned to the South Los Angeles area. A few weeks into my stint this incident occurred:

My training officer and I were driving back to the office after our shift. We stopped for an occupied, disabled vehicle in the center median. We climbed over the median and the other officer approached the driver. The officer came back to me and said he thought the driver looked familiar. The officer then called for a tow truck. I went up to the driver, and said that he looked familiar but I didn’t know from where. He said his name was Allan Melvin and then recited a list of credits, ending with Sam the butcher, on The Brady Bunch.   “That’s it!” I exclaimed, “Would it be possible to get your autograph for my little brother, Scott Michaels?” Melvin said, “How about if I send you a photo for him?” I gave him the CHP office address on a crash card.

 

Weeks later I received 3 personalized, autographed photos for Scott, my Field Training Officer (Tracey, I think-nice guy) and myself. I cherish this photo that reads “Many thanks, Jo Ann – Allan Melvin.”  This is my favorite CHP story in my career with them.

 

Since Melvin’s passing, I saw an episode of The Andy Griffith Show where he played a major part. What fun it was to see that episode now, and relive my favorite CHP memory.

 

Allan passed away from cancer on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in his Brentwood home.

 

 

He was 84 years old.

 

View his grave.

 

Jo Ann adds, “My thoughts of sympathy go to the Melvin family.”  Ours too, thanks Jo.

 

 

5 thoughts on “Allan Melvin

  • August 14, 2021 at 9:14 am
    Permalink

    I really enjoy watching Phil silvers show these days.

  • August 3, 2020 at 8:00 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Scott,
    Is the above a picture of Allan Melvin’s home? Also, do you know how his daughter, Mya, died? I really enjoyed the story about your sister meeting him. Thanks, Julie

    • May 6, 2023 at 3:27 pm
      Permalink

      This site hardly ever gets updated. It’s all about podcasts now (there’s a crash waiting to happen!) it seems that people have forgotten that we like to read stuff not just listen to ramblings online

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