Character Actor, Bill Erwin, Dies at 96

Longtime character actor Bill Erwin, and lifelong Studio City resident, died at 96 at his home Dec. 29 with his family at his bedside.

"He died peacefully at home with his family," said a longtime friend and fan, Kevin Bochynski, "and he was most proud of his loving family."

Erwin could be remembered for his work by a wide variety of rabid fans—from his character on Star Trek: The Next Generation, to I Love Lucy to Seinfeld or the romantic time travel cult hit  Somewhere in Time.

Erwin always enjoyed discussing his role as the venerable bellman at the Grand Hotel in Somewhere in Time, co-starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve. Sabin Gray, a fan and member of INSITE (International Network of Somewhere in Time Enthusiasts) met Erwin at both the Studio City tribute and at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan where the film was made. "He was a classy guy, and didn't mind answering every detail he knew about the making of the film, and signing every autograph that someone asked for," Gray said.

He was also known for his role as Dalen Quaice on Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as Gunsmoke, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss?, The West Wing and The Twilight Zone. On Seinfeld he received an Emmy nomination.

He worked on Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, Home Alone, The Bear, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Dennis the Menace and many more films.

He was in one of the most memorable I Love Lucy episodes in 1957 as a street bum in the subway who helps Lucy when she gets her head stuck in an awards cup.

Arrangements are pending. His two sons and two daughters live locally, and he has a sister in Texas.

Bochynski is collecting memories and photos online for a tribute at:  http://www.bochynski.com/billerwin