Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the cynical department store Santa Claus in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" (1983). After attaining his degree in theatrical arts from The American Academy of Dramatic Art, he began his career on the stage appearing in lead roles in such productions as "The Mousetrap," "Brewster's Millions," "Dinner at Eight," "The Philadelphia Story," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," "Death of a Salesman," "Of Mice and Men," "Are You With It?," and "Our Town". In 1967, he settled in California to begin a career in the film industry and went on to appear in 15 major films; often typecast as a gigolo, henchman, blue-collared worker, gambler, reporter, or public servant. His motion picture appearances include "The Wild Rebels" (1965), "Darker Than Amber" (1970), "The Naked Zoo" (1970), "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" (1972), "The Great Masquerade" (1974), "Deranged" (1974), "Nobody's Perfect" (1981), "Absence of Malice" (1981), "Easy Money" (1983), and "Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach" (1988). During his career, he was a member of The Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was a theatrical instructor for the Tampa Actors School, was active with the Florida State Democratic Committee, was the founder of the Great Southern Studios, was the celebrity spokesman for the Florida Lottery, and was a frequent guest writer for the entertainment section of The Miami Herald. After retiring from acting in 1991, Gillen, who neither married nor had any children, spent the final years of his life partaking in recreation and investing until his death from complications of a heart attack.
Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the cynical department store Santa Claus in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" (1983). After attaining his degree in theatrical arts from The American Academy of Dramatic Art, he began his career on the stage appearing in lead roles in such productions as "The Mousetrap," "Brewster's Millions," "Dinner at Eight," "The Philadelphia Story," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," "Death of a Salesman," "Of Mice and Men," "Are You With It?," and "Our Town". In 1967, he settled in California to begin a career in the film industry and went on to appear in 15 major films; often typecast as a gigolo, henchman, blue-collared worker, gambler, reporter, or public servant. His motion picture appearances include "The Wild Rebels" (1965), "Darker Than Amber" (1970), "The Naked Zoo" (1970), "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" (1972), "The Great Masquerade" (1974), "Deranged" (1974), "Nobody's Perfect" (1981), "Absence of Malice" (1981), "Easy Money" (1983), and "Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach" (1988). During his career, he was a member of The Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was a theatrical instructor for the Tampa Actors School, was active with the Florida State Democratic Committee, was the founder of the Great Southern Studios, was the celebrity spokesman for the Florida Lottery, and was a frequent guest writer for the entertainment section of The Miami Herald. After retiring from acting in 1991, Gillen, who neither married nor had any children, spent the final years of his life partaking in recreation and investing until his death from complications of a heart attack.
Bio by: Lowell Thurgood
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