William Schallert (born July 6, 1922 in Los Angeles, California), is a very tall actor who has appeared in many movies and television series such as The Smurfs, Gunsmoke, and Get Smart.
He is best known as patriarch Martin Lane on The Patty Duke Show and as teacher Leander Pomfritt on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He is also very well known for playing the role of Nilz Baris on the Star Trek episode entitled The Trouble with Tribbles.
Schallert starred in an innovative 1964 TV pilot for ABC called Philbert, which combined live action camera work and animation. Created by Friz Freleng and directed by Richard Donner, ABC backed out of the series shortly before full production was to begin, though the completed pilot was released in theatres as a short subject.
He was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1979 to 1981 (his former co-star, Patty Duke would succeed him between 1985 and 1988).
He is currently in semiretirement, though his distinctive voice still brings him work for commercial and animation voiceovers.
