Biography

Gene Sheldon was born on February 1, 1908 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Babes in Toyland (1961), The Sign of Zorro (1958) and Susie's Affairs (1934). He was married to Margaret McCann. He died on May 1, 1982 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

He did not live to watch reruns of "Zorro" on The Disney Channel. His death occurred a year prior to the channel's launch to cable television.

Inducted into the National Four String Banjo Hall of Fame in 2011.

Although he had a lengthy career in show business, his greatest fame came during a period of only five years in which he worked for Walt Disney. Famous for his pantomime routines, Walt Disney casted him as the Spanish mute butler Bernardo on the hit television series "Zorro" (1957). This performance led to major roles in Disney's live action features "Toby Tyler" (1960) and "Babes in Toyland" (1961).

Baggy-trousered, banjo-strumming comedian who played small parts in US films and performed in pantomime in TV guest appearances.

His remains were cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.