{{short description|American actor, DJ and writer (1931–96)}} {{Infobox person | name = Scott Beach | image = | caption = | occupation = Actor, writer, DJ | birth_name = Alvin Scott Beach | birth_date = {{birth date|1931|1|13|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1996|2|13|1931|1|13|mf=yes}} | death_place = San Francisco, California, U.S. | yearsactive = 1964–1995 | spouse = Neva Beach | children = 2 }}
'''Alvin Scott Beach''' (January 13, 1931 – February 13, 1996) was an American actor, writer and DJ, best known for his performance in the 1960s-themed 1973 film ''American Graffiti''.
==Life and career== Born '''Alvin Scott Beach''', he appeared in numerous motion pictures, most notably as a German scientist patterned after Wernher von Braun in ''The Right Stuff''. His deep voice was often heard in films. He once said that director George Lucas liked his voice and often used him in his films, beginning with ''THX 1138''.<ref>Interview with Scott Beach</ref> Beach also appeared as Mr. Gordon in ''American Graffiti'' and provided an uncredited stormtrooper voice in ''Star Wars''.
Beach was an early and beloved performer at the original Renaissance Pleasure Faires in Agoura and Novato, California, where for many years he portrayed the Lord Mayor of the Shire and was a mentor and an inspiration to many aspiring actors. Along with his acting career, Beach was a natural for radio and was on the staff of KSFO in San Francisco, California. During a radio broadcast on January 28, 1973, he reported that the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Viet Nam had been signed on the previous day in Paris, France. That agreement, also known as the Paris Peace Accords, ended direct U.S. military involvement in the Viet Nam War. Beach concluded his report about the peace agreement by stating, ''"I fear that the last U.S. soldier to die in Vietnam is still alive."'' He was correct; the last American death in Viet Nam was not until April 29, 1975 (see McMahon and Judge).{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} Beach also served as the original announcer on ''The Newlywed Game'' after being beaten out for the hosting job by Bob Eubanks; Johnny Jacobs eventually replaced Beach as announcer.
Beach twice served as the narrator in performances of Arthur Honegger's ''King David'' with the Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo, California. He also narrated other performances of the oratorio in both the original French and the English translation used by the Masterworks Chorale. He was the host of the San Francisco Opera broadcasts over KKHI during the early 1970s.<ref>Eyewitness account by Robert E. Nylund, member of Masterworks Chorale, 1970-85.</ref> Beach also provided the voice of the comic strip cat ''Garfield'' in the character's first television appearance in the 1980 anthology special ''The Fantastic Funnies''; he was later replaced in that role by Lorenzo Music.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
==Personal life== Beach was married to Neva Beach, together they had two children; Dylan and Sarah.<ref name="SFGate">{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Michael |title=Scott Beach -- S.F. Radio Commentator, Actor, Bon Vivant |url= https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Scott-Beach-S-F-Radio-Commentator-Actor-Bon-2993683.php<!-- https://www.sfgate.com/news/amp/Scott-Beach-S-F-Radio-Commentator-Actor-Bon-2993683.php --> |work=SF Gate |date=February 14, 1996}}</ref> Dylan and Sarah voiced Charlie Brown and Lucy Van Pelt (respectively) in ''It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown''.
==Death== Beach died on February 13, 1996, at the California Pacific Medical Center at the age of 65.<ref name="SFGate" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Caen |first=Herb |title=HERB CAEN -- Once Upon a Deadline |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/HERB-CAEN-Once-Upon-a-Deadline-2997506.php |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Caen |first=Herb |title=HERB CAEN -- What Is This Thing Called? |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/HERB-CAEN-What-Is-This-Thing-Called-2994262.php |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=CARROLL |first=JERRY |title=Committee Of One / Larry Hankin, co-founder of '60s comedy troupe, brings solo show to S.F. |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Committee-Of-One-Larry-Hankin-co-founder-of-2984589.php |access-date=2024-06-04 |work=SFGATE |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Keeping Up With The News |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/carroll/articleg/JON-CARROLL-Keeping-Up-With-the-News-3331324.php |website=www.sfgate.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/thetake/article/When-2-mimes-had-a-resounding-wedding-in-Union-12367228.php | title=When 2 mimes had a resounding wedding in Union Square | date=21 November 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/the-voice-stilled-scott-beach-dies-3158515.php | title="The Voice' stilled: Scott Beach dies | date=14 February 1996 }}</ref>
==Filmography==
=== Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1964 |''Too Tough to Care'' |Ramshaw |Educational short film |- |1968 |''Bullitt'' |Man |Uncredited |- |1969 |''The Shepherd'' |Narrator |Short Film |- |1970 |''The Miller's Tale'' |Narrator (voice) |Short Film |- |1971 |''THX 1138'' |Announcer (voice) | |- |1972 |''One is a Lonely Number'' |Frawley King |Credited as A. Scott Beach |- |1973 |''American Graffiti'' |Mr. Gordon | |- |1973 |''Bizarre Devices'' |Radio Host | |- |1974 |''The Second Coming of Suzanne'' |Reporter | |- |1975 |''The Grizzly & the Treasure'' |Narrator (voice) |Uncredited |- |1977 |''Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope'' |Stormtrooper (voice) |Uncredited |- |1980 |''Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!!)'' |Waiter / Baron / Driver / Tennis Announcer / English Voice / American Male (voice) | |- |1981 |''Chu Chu and the Philly Flash'' |Harry | |- |1982 |''Out'' |Sailor | |- |1983 |''The Right Stuff'' |Chief Scientist | |- |1983 |''To Be or Not to Be'' |Narrator | |- |1986 |''Stand by Me'' |Mayor Grundy | |- |1988 |''Tucker: The Man and His Dream'' |Floyd Cerf | |- |1993 |''Mrs. Doubtfire'' |Judge | |- |1994 |''Getting Even with Dad'' |Wino | |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1979 |''You're the Greatest, Charlie Brown'' |Announcer (voice) |TV special |- |1980 |''She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown'' |Coach / Announcer (voice) |TV special |- |1980 |''Life Is a Circus, Charlie Brown'' |Announcer (voice) |TV special |- |1986 |''Blacke's Magic'' |Pemberton |Episode: "Breathing Room (Pilot) |- |1990 |''Midnight Caller'' |Vinnie Delano |Episode: "Three for the Money" |- |1994 |''You're in the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown'' |Announcer (voice) |TV special |}
=== Video games === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1995 |''Psychic Detective'' |Drunk Inmate | |}
== Discography ==
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Notes |- |1976 |"Religion and Politics" |Rereleased in ''Dr. Demento's Dementia Royale'' (1980) |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=0063502|name=Scott Beach}} * Photographs of Scott Beach may be found at [http://www.broadcastlegends.com/beach.html Broadcast Legends].
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beach, Scott}} Category:American male voice actors Category:American male film actors Category:Classical music radio presenters Category:Game show announcers Category:Writers from Portland, Oregon Category:Male actors from Portland, Oregon Category:1931 births Category:1996 deaths Category:20th-century American male actors