Ken Osmond
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| Ken Osmond | |
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| Born | June 7, 1943 Glendale, California |
Kenneth Osmond (born June 7, 1943) is an American actor known for his role of Eddie Haskell on the original Leave It to Beaver television situation comedy, which ran on CBS from October 4, 1957 to 1958 and then on ABC from 1958 to June 20, 1963.
Osmond's playing of Eddie Haskell in the original series became a cultural reference, recognized as an archetype for the "behind-your-back" rebel. Teenager Eddie Haskell would be polite and obsequious to grown ups, but derided adults' social conventions behind their backs. He was constantly trying to involve his friends in activities that would get them into trouble. Eddie was the kind of friend parents such as Ward and June Cleaver wish their children would limit association with, but need to have to gain learning experiences. Even today, the phrase "Eddie Haskell" is known to refer to an insincere flatterer.
After his child acting career, Osmond served 18 years as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). During his time on the force, he worked in vice, narcotics and as a motorcycle officer. He grew a mustache to help secure his anonymity. He retired after getting hit with three bullets while in a foot chase with a suspected car thief. He was saved by his bulletproof vest and belt buckle. He earned a medical disability pension from the police force.
He eventually returned to acting with appearances on Happy Days and the TV movie High School USA. Osmond starred in the role in the Still the Beaver situation comedy and the 1997 film Leave It to Beaver. In that film, Osmond played Eddie Haskell, Sr., and Adam Zolotin, a younger actor, played Eddie Haskell, Jr.
Osmond makes personal appearances at film festivals, collectors' shows and nostalgia conventions. He has been married to wife Sandy since 1970. Since his retirement, Osmond handles rental properties in the Los Angeles area.
On September 18, 2007, Osmond filed a class action lawsuit against the Screen Actors Guild alleging that SAG has collected $8 million in foreign residuals for U.S. actors, but has not distributed them to the actors.[1]
