Guy Thomajan dies at age 87

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 6 (UPI) -- Actor Edd "Guy" Thomajan, who appeared in films such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "The Pink Panther," has died at the age of 87.

Thomajan died at his home in Monticello, Fla., on June 28, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Wednesday.

The feisty character actor retired to Florida in the 1980s. He enjoyed telling colorful tales of his days on Broadway and in Hollywood, the newspaper said.

"He was a walking encyclopedia of great stories," said Steve MacQueen, former Tallahassee Democrat theater critic and Thomajan friend.

Born in Massachusetts and raised in Brooklyn, Thomajan served as stage manager for Elia Kazan's landmark Tennessee Williams productions on Broadway "Camino Real," "Sweet Bird of Youth" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."

During "Streetcar," Thomajan's jobs also included keeping Williams supplied with bourbon and sparring with Marlon Brando backstage between scenes, the newspaper said.

In 1950, Thomajan co-starred with Jack Palance and Zero Mostel in Elia Kazan's gritty classic "Panic in the Streets."