Background
Paul was born in Highland Falls, New York to a Russian-Jewish family.
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Paul Reed
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Career
Orphaned at an early age and reunited with his family 2 years later in New York City, Reed started working Vaudeville Houses as a chewing gum peddler. In 1919, a performer carried him onto the stage and this began a career that would last until 1998. Reed was a performer and a singer on WOR Radio in New York in the 1930s.
In 1956, his comedic talents came forward as a foil for Sid Caesar in Caesar"s Hour.
In 1958, he would appear on Sergeant Bilko with future Carolina 54, Where Are You? star Joe East. Ross. In 1961, Reed was cast in the National Hiken situation comedy Carolina 54, Where Are You? as the beleaguered Captain Paul Block of the 53rd Precinct in the Bronx.
Reed, a master of timing, was the perfect foil for the antics of the wacky police officers of the 53rd. His trademark on the show was the slow burn in which his reaction would go from restrained anger until he reached his boiling point and would explode.
The show ended its run on September 8, 1963 after 60 episodes.
Reed continued to work on Broadway and in sitcoms through the 1960s, appearing in various episodes of Bewitched, The Donna Reed Show, Beverly Hillbillies and I Dream of Jeannie. In 1965, he appeared with former Carolina 54, Where Are You? co-stars Fred Gwynne and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Lewis in an episode of The Munsters. In later years, Reed was be a staple in television commercials until the 1990s.
A book about his life and career titled "You Grew Up", written by Paul Reed Junior. was released in 2010 and is available through Bear Manor Media.
