ROBERT CORNTHWAITE - ACTOR ROBERT CORNTHWAITE DIES

ROBERT CORNTHWAITE, a character actor whose 50-year-plus career spanned theater, films and television, has died. He was 89. Cornthwaite died of natural causes on Thursday (20JUL06) at the Motion Picture And Television Country House And Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, according to the home's spokeswoman JENNIFER FAGEN. The actor was best known for his work in films and television, appearing in more than 250 television shows and as many as 50 feature films. His film work included THE THING in 1951, WAR OF THE WORLDS in 1953, and WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? in 1962. On television, he appeared in a variety of series, including PERRY MASON, THE TWILIGHT ZONE and THE MONKEES. In the 1990s, he had a recurring role on PICKET FENCES. Cornthwaite is survived by his brother WILLIAM and several nieces and nephews.