Arthur Peterson, Jr.

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Arthur Peterson, Jr. (November 18, 1912 – October 31, 1996) was an American actor. He played character and supporting roles on stage, television, and feature films. On television, he played The Major on the series Soap (1977-1981). North Dakota born and raised, Peterson first obtained a degree in theater from the University of Minnesota before becoming a professional actor with the first Federal Theater Project. Peterson made his media debut in 1936 with a regular role on the radio serial The Guiding Light. During World War II, Peterson fought within General Patton's Third Army. Upon his discharge, Peterson appeared in the ABC network's first situation comedy, That's O'Toole. Peterson's stage work included appearances in such plays as Inherit the Wind. His film career has been sporadic, including such titles as Born Wild (1968) and the television movie Rollercoaster (1977). Peterson was guest artist at George Mason University where he taught classes in acting and developed original materials such as The Monster, The Bride and Stephen based on the writings of Stephen Crane. He also did a one man show Fire & Ice based on the poetry of Robert Frost. Peterson spent 1981 to 1991 touring the country with his wife in a Pasadena Playhouse production of The Gin Game (a play made famous on Broadway by Jessica Tandy and her husband Hume Cronyn). When the play's long run ended, Peterson retired from acting. He died on October 31, 1996, of Alzheimer's disease in the Amberwood Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles at age 83.