Hayden Rorke

Hayden Rorke (October 23, 1910 – August 19, 1982) was an American actor best known for his role as Dr. Alfred Bellows on the 1960s television series I Dream of Jeannie.

Early life

Rorke was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Irish immigrant parents. He attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Career

Rorke began his acting career on the stage, performing in a variety of plays and musicals. He made his Broadway debut in 1932 in the play The Warrior's Husband. He continued to perform on Broadway and in regional theater until the late 1940s, when he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in film and television.

In Hollywood, Rorke found steady work as a character actor, appearing in films such as An American in Paris and Pillow Talk. However, he is best remembered for his role as Dr. Alfred Bellows on the television series I Dream of Jeannie. As Dr. Bellows, Rorke played a psychiatrist who was constantly baffled by the strange behavior of astronaut Major Tony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman.

Personal life and death

Rorke was openly gay, a rarity in Hollywood at the time. He was in a long-term relationship with TV director Justus Addiss until Addiss's death in 1979. Rorke died of multiple myeloma in 1982.

Legacy

Rorke's portrayal of Dr. Alfred Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie has been praised for its comedic timing and has become a beloved character in American television history.

Filmography

• The Warrior's Husband (1932)
• An American in Paris (1951)
• Pillow Talk (1959)
• I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970)