Harold V. Goldstein (December 10, 1923 – September 11, 2010), best known by his stage name Harold Gould, was an American actor best known for playing Miles Webber on the 1985-1992 sitcom The Golden Girls and Martin Morgenstern in the 1970s sitcom Rhoda. Gould acted in film and television for nearly 50 years, appearing in more than 300 television shows, 20 major motion pictures, and over 100 stage plays, and received Emmy Award nominations five times. He is known for playing elegant, well-dressed men, and he regularly played Jewish characters and grandfather-type figures on television and film.
Gould was born in Schenectady, NY to Louis and Lillian Goldstein. His father was postal worker, and mother was a homemaker. He enrolled at Albany Teachers College upon graduation, and studied to become a social studies or English teacher.
After two years in college, Gould enlisted in the army during WW 2, and saw combat in France. He developed trenchfoot and was sent to England to recover. After the war, Gould returned to Albany Teachers College to study drama, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1947. He performed in summer stock theatre, then decided to enroll at Cornell University to study drama and speech. Gould earned a master of arts degree in 1948 and a Ph.D. in theatre in 1953 from Cornell, and also met his future wife, Lea Vernon.Gould made his film debut in Two for the Seesaw but was not credited for his work; his first credited role was a small part in The Coach in 1962. He gradually found more work and got roles in The Yellow Canary; The Satan Bug; Inside Daisy Clover; and Harper.
Gould worked steadily in television in the 1960s and early 1970s, including roles in Dennis the Menace, Dr. Kildare, Hazel, The Twilight Zone, tGet Smart, Hogans Heros, and Mission Impossible. Gould also acted in a pilot, later broadcast as a 1972 episode of Love, American Style titled "Love and the Happy Days" as Howard Cunningham, the frustrated father of a young man named Richie Cunningham. When ABC turned that episode into a series called Happy Days, Gould was tabbed to reprise the Howard Cunningham role. However when production was delayed, he went abroad to perform in a play. Midway through the play's run, after learning Happy Days was ready to begin shooting, he decided to honor his commitment to the stage production and passed on the part, which led to Tom Bosley being cast as the family patriarch. Gould would later state that a requirement to shave his beard was also a factor in his declining the role.
Gould had worked in television and film for almost 15 years before his career really took off with his portrayal of Kid Twist in The Sting. He appeared in Love and Death, as a villain in Silent Movie, and made guest appearances on television shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Soap, and The Love Boat.
In 1972, Gould was cast as Martin Morgenstern, the father of Mary's best friend Rhoda, in an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He reprised the role the following year and was hired as a regular when Rhoda was made into it's own series in 1974. After Rhoda ended, Gould appeared in short-lived series such as the 1977 series The Feather and Father Gang, where he starred as Harry Danton, a smooth-talking ex-con man. It ran for 13 episodes.
Gould played Miles Webber, the steadfast boyfriend of Rose Nylund on the NBC series The Golden Girls (he also played a different boyfriend of Rose's named Arnie in the show's first season). He portrayed the father of a villain called The Prankster on Lois and Clark, and made guest appearances on television series such as Felicity, King of Queens, Touched by an Angel and Judging Amy. Gould's film roles in the 1990s and 2000s include appearances in Stuart Little, Patch Adams, Master of Desguise, the remake of Freaky Friday, Nobodys Perfect, and Whisper of the Heart. He also has numerous stage credits including: Grown Ups, Fools, Mixed Emotions and Artist Descending a Staircase.
Gould lived in Los Angeles with his wife, Lea. He died from prostate cancer on September 11, 2010. He is survived by two sons, Joshua and Lowell, and a daughter, Deborah. After his death his ashes were given to his family. He and Lea were married for 60 years.
I always liked this guy, I think he's very handsome. I didn't like the way his character changed by the 7th season though. He started off as this smart professor, and ended up as a goofy cheapskate.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like his whole "hiding from the mob" story line from the get-go meself.
DeleteI liked him too, Miles was a good balance for Rose.
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