Norman Alden, a long-time actor more famous for bit parts and small roles than any regular gig, died Friday of natural causes. He was 87.
Alden’s career spanned from 1957 to 2006. In the 1970s, he played the voice of Justice League member Aquaman on the cartoon “Super Friends.” The cartoon, which featured super hero mainstays like Superman , Batman and Wonder Woman alongside lesser knowns like Black Vulcan and Apache Chief, aired from 1973 until 1986.
While Aquaman was Alden’s main character on Super Friends, he also voiced Green Arrow and Plastic Man. His comic book repertoire didn’t end there, he also played one of the Joker’s henchman in the live action “Batman” television series of the 1960s.
His voice acting additionally earned him the role of Sir Kay in Disney’s “The Sword and the Stone.” Norman Alden had roles in films dating back to 1957, when he got his start on “The Bob Cummings Show.” His last credited role on IMDB was as “old fella” in a made for TV movie “Our House” in 2006. Hollywood.com suggests that he is best known for his role as Lou, the diner owner in “Back to the Future.”
Alden rarely worked the same character twice, but would often appear on the same show more than once. In the television series “Dynasty,” for example, he appeared in one episode as a gun salesman, and two seasons later played the role of a guard.
According to MSN.com , his family claimed that Alden appeared in more than 2,500 commercials, films and television shows before all was said and done. His television performances ranged from “Leave it to Beaver” to “Murder She Wrote.”
He is survived by his wife Sharon Hayden, two children, and a grandson. Alden was a graduate of TCU. A celebration of the life of Norman Alden, voice of Aquaman, will be held in Los Angeles in August and another in Fort Worth, Texas in September.
