Tom Poston, the comedian and actor who was nationally recognized for his long run on "To Tell the Truth" and his comic turns on "The Bob Newhart Show," died at his home Monday in Los Angeles after a brief illness. He was 85.
During the 1950s and '60s, Poston was ubiquitous on quiz and panel shows. Beginning with guest appearances on "The Tonight Show" when Steve Allen hosted it, he was a popular talk-show guest. He won an Emmy for performing on "The Steve Allen Show," a stint he continued for four years.
Poston also was a recognizable comic actor. He played the grouchy neighbor on "Mork & Mindy" but he particularly jelled with Newhart. His guest spots on "The Bob Newhart Show," when he played Bob's low-brow college chum, Peeper Murdock, who inspired the normally straight-laced Bob to "Animal House" antics, were popular episodes. When Newhart launched a new comedy series in 1982, Poston was cast as George Utley, his dull-witted sidekick whose loony observations packed wisdom. His slack-eyed look and slow-talking style were a hilarious combination, particularly when he punctuated them with inspired observations.
