Merrill E. Joels (1909-2001) was a New York based actor, writer,
He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on January 19,1909, in the house that was torn down for the construction of what is now the Hartford Courant newspaper building. From an early age Joels knew that he wanted to be an actor.
In 1929, he was an usher at Parson’s the Hartford Stage Tryout Theater. In 1932 he founded the Mark Twain Masquers Community Theater. Some of the notable performers included Peter Falk, Ed Begley and Ron Palillo. In New York, Joels was a member of The Lambs and The Players. His 40-year career included serving his terms as a Vice President of AFTRA and on the National Board of Directors of SAG. Joels helped establish Extra Advisories, whose purpose was to insure that actors on location and in general had available to them bathrooms and shelter from the elements. He also helped to establish the George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund.
His career highlights include appearances on a weekly radio show on WEVD, on over 1500 television shows, and was the toll booth collector in the movie, The Godfather (pictured right). Joels was also a character actor on children’s records with performers including Arnold Stang.
In addition, he recorded with “Books for the Blind” and produced and directed a traveling production of the “Theater of Perez,” among others.
Joels’s books include: “How to Get Into Show Business,“ and “Acting is a Business.” He also was a drama coach and taught acting using the Don Richardson method.
Joels passed away in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on September 5, 2001.
—submitted by Merrill Joel’s sons, Orrin and Kerry Joels