Henry Gibson

Henry Gibson (September 21, 1935 – September 14, 2009), born James Bateman, was an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He was best known as a cast member of the TV sketch-comedy series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968 to 1971, for his portrayal of diminutive country star Haven Hamilton in Robert Altman's 1975 film Nashville, for his role as the "Illinois Nazi" leader in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, and for his recurring role as Judge Clark Brown on Boston Legal. 2Early life Gibson was born on September 21, 1935 as James Bateman in Germantown, Philadelphia, the sixth of seven children of Edmund Albert Bateman and his wife Dorothy (née Cassidy). He attended Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, where he was president of the drama club. After graduating from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force with the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in France from 1957 to 1960. Early in his career as a professional entertainer, he developed a comedy act in which he played a poet from Fairhope, Alabama. He adopted the stage name Henry Gibson, which is an oronym for the name of famed Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen. He is also known to have used the name Olsen Gibson. 2Career Gibson's performing career began at the age of seven. He appeared in many stage and theater production