LOS ANGELES – Biff Elliot, actor, acting coach and radio sportscaster, died Aug. 15, 2012, at his home. He was born in Lynn, Mass., in 1923, but always told people that he was born at the age of 15 when his family moved to Maine. He was the son of Israel and Susan Shalek, and had two brothers, Stanley Shalek and Win Elliot.
He lived in Presque Isle as a teenager and graduated from the University of Maine after serving in the Army in World War II. He and his wife Betty, who died in 1974, moved to New York, and he started his acting career in live television. He was discovered for the role of Mike Hammer in the first Mickey Spillane movie, “I the Jury,” in 1953, and then moved to California. Biff had a long career in movies and television. His movies included “That’s Life,” “The Front Page,” “Save the Tiger,” “Kotch” – directed by his friend Jack Lemmon, “PT109” and “Good Morning Miss Dove.” Television series appearances included “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Planet of the Apes,” “CHIPS,” “Bonanza,” “Star Trek,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Surfside 6,” “Perry Mason” and “Kraft Theatre.”
He is survived by his wife, Connie; many nieces and nephews.
Biff Elliot
