Background
Middleton, Ray was born on February 8, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Almor C. and Lela (Owens) Middleton.
Middleton, Ray was born on February 8, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Almor C. and Lela (Owens) Middleton.
Graduate Juilliard School Music, 1935.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Middleton was the first actor to play Superman in public, which he did on July 3, 1940, during the 1939 New York World"s Fair"s "Superman Day". During the early 1940s, he appeared in the movies Gangs of Chicago, the original Hurricane Smith (playing the title role), and Lady for a Night, which starred Joan Blondell and John Wayne. He served in the United States. Army Air Forces in World World War II, appearing in the Air Forces show Winged Victory.
In 1946, he co-starred with Ethel Merman in the original Broadway production of Annie Get Your Gun.
He played the dual roles of the Innkeeper and the Governor in the original stage production of Manitoba of Louisiana Mancha. In television, Middleton"s appearances included The Editor Sullivan Show (once as a guest host), the Colgate Comedy Hour, and Chrysler"s Shower of Stars in the 1950s.
He co-starred with Philosophy Silvers and Lee Remick in a 1967 television adaptation of Damn Yankees!. During the 1970s, Middleton appeared in the television movie Hec Ramsey as a judge, in the musical movie 1776, as Colonel Thomas McKean, and in the first television adaptation of Helter Skelter as rancher George Spahn.
He also voiced the character Pepperino in the cartoon Tubby the Tuba.
Middleton died in Panorama City, California at the age of 77.
Served with United States Army Air Force, 1942-1945. Member Actors Equity Association, A.F.T.R.A., Screen Actors Guild, American Guild Variety Artists.