Ed Gilbert Biography

Fast Facts

• Died in Beverly Hills after losing a long battle with lung cancer
• Served in the Korean War, lived in the Florida Keys and found work as a diver, fishing guide and artist before taking an interest in acting at the local theater, then moved to Los Angeles to make it as an actor
• In the 1980s, pursued voice-over work instead of on-camera acting
• Replaced actor Phil Harris for the voice of Baloo in Disney's "The Jungle Book" after Harris could no longer do the voice successfully, practicing for hours listening to Harris' voice to perfect Baloo's voice
• Best known as Fenton Hardy on 1970s TV series "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries․"
• Featured spokesperson in dozens of TV commercials, including American Airlines, Mutual of Omaha, Goodyear, RCA and Chevrolet
• Taught weekly workshops for the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory, training struggling actors how to properly approach on-camera work
• Has an extensive background in entomology after attending the University of Chicago and named over 100 insects, many of which were framed on a wall in his laboratory at his home