The Case of the Consummate Actor

Happy birthday to the fine actor H.M. Wynant, who turns 92 today. During the 1960-61 season of TV's Perry Mason, when the career of co-star William Talman (Hamilton Burger) was in jeopardy due to an off-screen scandal, Wynant made three appearances as a substitute prosecutor, Deputy D.A. Sampson. Though I'm glad Talman ultimately returned as a series regular, I thought Wynant was the best of the temporary replacements. He could have been a fine addition to the regular cast. As it was, the producers liked him well enough to use him in ten episodes over the show's nine-year run, casting him at various times as prosecutor, victim, and murderer.

Among his dozens of other classic TV credits are a memorable episode of The Twilight Zone ("The Howling Man"). as well as appearances on Mission: Impossible, Batman, The Defenders ... I could go on and on. He was married for many years to a highly respected CBS casting director, the late Ethel Winant; today, Wynant and his second wife Paula have a teenage daughter.

Best wishes to Mr. Wynant and his family as they recognize him for a long and accomplished life and career.