Actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez dead at 80

CULVER CITY, Calif., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Character actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, who appeared in dozens of Hollywood films and TV shows, has died in Culver City, Calif., at age 80.

His grandson, "Capote" co-star Clifton Collins Jr., told Tuesday's Los Angeles Times his grandfather died of natural causes Feb. 6.

Gonzalez Gonzalez got his double last name from the Mexican tradition of using both parents' surnames, the Times said. His mom's and dad's last names just happened to be the same.

The Texas native leaped into U.S. homes via Groucho Marx's TV show, "You Bet Your Life" in 1953.

His hilarious and deadpan banter with Marx caught the eye of John Wayne, who signed Gonzalez Gonzalez to a seven-year contract with his production company, the Times said.

He appeared in a number of Wayne films including "The High and the Mighty," "Rio Bravo," "McLintock!," "Hellfighters" and "Chisum." His other films included "Strange Lady in Town," "The Sheepman," "Support Your Local Gunfighter" and "The Love Bug."

He was also a familiar face on TV, playing guest roles on "Wanted: Dead or Alive," "Gunsmoke," "The DuPont Show With June Allyson" and "Burke's Law."

Gonzalez Gonzalez is survived by his wife of 62 years, a son, two daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.