Actor. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Santa Claus' in the cult classic holiday science-fiction comedy film, "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" (1964). The film which was directed by Nicholas Webster, and which also stars Bills McCutcheon, Leonard Hicks, Vincent Beck, Doris Rich, and a young Pia Zadora, tells the story of parents who are worried that their children have become obsessed with television shows from Earth which extol the virtues of Santa Claus, Martians then begin an expedition to Earth to kidnap the one and only Santa Claus. While on Earth, they kidnap two lively children that lead the group of Martians to the North Pole and to Santa Claus. The Martians then take Santa Claus and the two children back to Mars with them. Voldar, a particularly grumpy Martian, attempts to do away with the children and Santa Claus before they get to Mars, but their leader Lord Kimar stops him. When they arrive on Mars, Santa Claus, with the help of the two Earth children and a rather simple-minded Martian lackey, overcomes the Martians by bringing fun, happiness, and Christmas cheer to the children of Mars. He is also best remembered for his role as 'Mr. Franklin' in the episode entitled, "Gracie Thinks George Is Going To Commit Suicide," of the classic television comedy series, "The George Burns And Gracie Allen Show," which aired on December 18, 1952. He was born one of four children as John William Call in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Aloysius Call (1885-1976), and his wife Eleanor M. O'Rourke Call (1888-), on November 3, 1908. He was educated locally and was drafted during World War II but he never served. He then decided to pursue an acting career. He began his acting career in several stage productions on Broadway in New York City including as, 'William McDost' in "So Proudly We Hail" (September 22, 1936, to October 03, 1936), as 'Zhlub' in "But For The Grace Of God (January 12, 1937, to February 1937), as 'Bert Kadan' in "Be So Kindly" (February 08, 1937, to February 1937), as 'Luke Chance' in "Bet Your Life" (April 05, 1937, to April 1937), as 'Father Flaherty' in "Father Malachy's Miracle" (November 17, 1937, to March 1938), as 'Barnaby Tucker' in "The Merchant Of Yonkers" (December 28, 1938, to January 1939), as 'Ozzie' in "The Flying Gerardos" (December 29, 1940, to January 18, 1941), as 'Silvius' in "As You Like It" (October 20, 1941, to October 25, 1941), as 'George Jensen' in "They Should Have Stood In Bed" (February 13, 1942, to February 21, 1942), as 'Snake Foote' in "The Life Of Reilly" (April 29, 1942, to May 02, 1942), as 'Gus' in "Bloomer Girl" (October 05, 1944, to April 27, 1946, and January 06, 1947, to February 15, 1947), as 'Ray Busch' in "Pipe Dream" (November 30, 1955, to June 30, 1956), as 'Dan Roche' in "A Touch Of The Poet" (October 02, 1958, to June 13, 1959), as 'Mr. Reardon' in "Farewell, Farewell Eugene" (September 27, 1960, to October 01, 1960), as 'Burke Harrison' in "Giants, Sons Of Giants" (January 06, 1962, to January 13, 1962), as 'Dr. Grimwig' and 'Mr. Bumble' in "Oliver!" (January 06, 1963, to November 14, 1964), as 'Tracy Tupman' in "Pickwick" (October 04, 1965, to November 20, 1965), and as 'Dai Bando' in "A Time For Singing" (May 21, 1966, to June 25, 1966). His Broadway career lasted nearly thirty years. During this time he also began appearing in films. He made his actual debut in the film-noir, "Iron Man" (1951), which also starred Evelyn Keyes, Jeff Chandler, and Rock Hudson. Besides, "Iron Man" (1951), and "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" (1964), his many other film credits include, "The Tall Target" (1951), "Indian Uprising" (1952), "Boots Malone" (1952), "Young Man With Ideas" (1952), "The Pride Of St. Louis" (1952), "Don't Bother To Knock" (1952), "Holiday For Sinners" (1952), "Fearless Fagan" (1952), "Hangman's Knot" (1952), "Julius Caesar" (1953), "Arena" (1953), "The Kid From Left Field" (1953), "Ride, Vaquero!" (1953), "Give A Girl A Break" (1953), "The Long, Long Trailer" (1954), "Cinderella" (1957), and "Happy Anniversary" (1959). Besides, "The George Burns And Gracie Allen Show" in 1952, his many other television credits include, "The Ford Television Theatre," "Dragnet," "Ethel And Albert," "Omnibus," "Fireside Theatre," "I Spy," "The DuPont Show Of The Month," and "N.Y.P.D." His last role was playing 'O'Leary the Doorman' in the action thriller film, "The Anderson Tapes" (1971), which also starred Sean Connery. He continued acting until his death. He passed away following a heart attack in New York, New York, on April 3, 1973, at the age of 64, and he was buried in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. He was married to Helen Churchill Dalby Call and he was the father of the actor Anthony Call.