Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Jonathan Harris
Jonathan Harris Facts
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Born |
Nov 6, 1914 Bronx, NY |
| Died |
Nov 3, 2002 Encino, CA |
| Age | Died at 88 |
| Total Facts | 48 |
Although he reprised his most infamous role as Dr. Smith in a one-hour TV special Lost in Space Forever (1998) (TV) in 1998, he refused a cameo in the motion picture version of Lost in Space (1998) later that year, unlike June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright, the other stars of the 60s show. With typically cryptic "Dr. Smith" flair, he announced that if he could not play his own role in the movie, he wanted nothing to do with it. Interestingly, Gary Oldman portrayed "Dr. Smith" in a curiously subdued fashion.
Although his character's eventual monopolization of "Lost in Space" (1965) aggravated members of the cast, all of them stated that he was the nicest of people to work with.
An avid opera buff.
At conventions, insisted that his booth or table be separate from the rest of "Lost in Space" (1965) cast members. He refused to be in the same part of the building as June Lockhart and convention coordinators had to accede to his demands - he was a major draw to conventions.
Attended the same high school as Estelle Reiner (future mother of famous actors Rob Reiner and Lucas Reiner), then known as Estelle Lobost, who graduated a year behind him, in 1932.
Before entering the show business, he watched lots of English movies to adopt the ways of a classical British actor.
Before future director John Lasseter would work with him on both movies: A Bug's Life (1998) and Toy Story 2 (1999), he would describe Harris, as his childhood television hero.
Before he was an actor, he worked at many drugstores in New York City.
Best remembered by the public for his special guest starring role as Dr. Zachary Smith on "Lost in Space" (1965).
Born in the borough of the Bronx (New York City) to Russian-Jewish immigrants.
Came up with a list of alliterative insults that eventually worked their way into popular speech on "Lost in Space" (1965).
Died just three days before he would have had his 88th birthday. That same day, his family and friends attended his funeral.
Following "Lost in Space" (1965), he did numerous commercials for the International House of Pancakes.
Future parodist 'Weird Al' Yankovic, actresses Candice Bergen, Susan Olsen and Kathy Garver, also comedian Bill Maher, all said Harris was their childhood television hero.
Graduated from James Monroe High School in The Bronx, New York, in 1931.
Had beat out both actors, Jack Elam and Carroll O'Connor for the role of Dr. Zachary Smith on "Lost in Space" (1965).
Harris and the rest of the cast of "Lost in Space" (1965), were very disappointed by its cancellation in 1968, attributed to the show's high cost.
Harris died from a blood clot in his heart while receiving therapy at an Encino-area hospital for a chronic back problem.
He changed his named from Charasuchin to Harris because his classmates from school were making fun of him.
He had 12 hobbies: watching movies, playing piano, dancing, listening to opera, gardening, knitting, cooking, traveling, magic, painting, reading, and spending time with children.
He holds the world record for a guest-starring role in a single series, having been in all of the "Lost in Space" episodes except the original pilot.
He was survived by two grandchildren.
He was the co-star of the Bill Dana show. Much of his banter from that show was used on the robot in Lost in Space.
He was the only cast member of "Lost in Space" (1965) who would not appear at fan-related conventions without being paid. His asking price was $500.
He was the voice and drama coach of Chuck Norris. He "taught him how to speak," by putting his fingers in Norris's mouth, and stretching the mouth wide open. Chuck names him as the only man in the world who could get away with doing that to him...a fact of which he was always proud.
His Broadway debut was in 1942 on the play "Heart of the City".
His father, Sam, got struck by a car and was found dead in 1977.
His only son, Richard, who was 16 at the time, visited the set of "The Third Man" (1959), where the relationship between father and son was reconnected.
His widow, Gertrude Bergman, died in 2008, just 6 years after his death.
Just before his death, Harris was involved in the NBC project of "Lost in Space: The Journey Home" in which the Robinson family may be returning to earth.
Of Russian and Polish descent.
Often brought a large bag of tootsie-roll pops to work for the cast and crew.
Prior to co-starring with Gilbert Roland and Dina Merrill in a movie that was never released, he almost died, while traveling to Cuba. At that time, Fidel Castro was on the verge of staging the coup. His crew were bombed at the airport. By the time filming was completed, Castro was in power as the new dictator, therefore the film was seized.
Received a degree in pharmacology from Fordham University.
Remained good friends with Bill Mumy during and after "Lost in Space" (1965).
Survived by his wife, Gertrude, of 64 years and one son, Richard.
Swapped his New York City accent for a more sophisticated baritone voice, after he watched B-movies.
Until his death, he received 500 letters each month. Having been grateful for the character he played on "Lost in Space" (1965), he answered each and every letter.
Was a Democrat.
Was a frequent guest on the Opie and Anthony radio show
Was a very close friend and mentor to writer/producer/director William Winckler. The two often had three hour luncheons twice a month for many years.
Was encouraged to listen to opera by his father at age 12.
Was reunited with ex-"Lost in Space" (1965) co-star, Bill Mumy, alongside Leonard Nimoy (of "Star Trek" (1966) fame) at a Disney World Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (1996).
Was very good friends with: Phyllis Diller, Don Adams, Guy Williams, Lorne Greene, John Lasseter, Irwin Allen and Burt Reynolds.
When he wanted to be an actor, he refused to tell his parents about his name change.
When he was attending high school, Jonathan was interested in archeology, Latin, romantic poetry and Shakespeare.
While attending James Monroe High School, he didn't fit in well with his peers, with the exception of his future wife, Gertrude Bregman, who was his best friend.
Would often sit up at night thinking of ways to insult the robot ("Be quiet, you bubble-headed booby!") while on "Lost in Space" (1965). His colorful put-downs for his mechanical colleague, almost all of them unscripted, are among the best-remembered aspects of the show.