12 Facts About Paul Ford

Paul Ford's father was described as "a well-to-do businessman" who lost his fortune when his investment in a soft-drink company failed.

Paul Ford took his middle birth name, which was his mother's maiden name, as his stage last name.

In later years, Paul Ford made his distinctive voice one of the most recognized on films and television of his era.

Paul Ford first ventured into entertainment in a puppet theater project sponsored by the New Deal program in the Works Progress Administration to combat the Great Depression providing employment in the Federal Theatre Project for authors, academics, actors and musicians during Roosevelt's administration.

In 1955, Paul Ford played the bank president in the National Broadcasting Company television comedy series Norby.

Paul Ford became an "overnight" success a year later at age 54 when he played "Colonel John T Hall", US Army incompetent commanding officer opposite comedian Phil Silvers on Silvers' military comedic The Phil Silvers Show TV show.

Paul Ford played the role straight but still comedic and received glowing reviews.

Paul Ford had an active career on stage, then films and television, until his retirement in the early 1970s.

Paul Ford was notorious for being unable to remember his lines.

Paul Ford was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, Los Angeles, California.

Paul Ford was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards: Best Supporting Performance by an Actor, Best Continuing Supporting Performance by an Actor in a Dramatic or Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor.

Paul Ford was nominated in 1963 for a "Tony" Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for Never Too Late.