James Greene obit

James Greene, ‘Parks and Recreation’ Actor and Broadway Veteran, Dies at 91

James Greene, the character actor and Broadway veteran who had a recurring role as the tactless Councilman Milton on 'Parks and Recreation,' has died. 

He was not on the list.

James Greene, the character actor and Broadway veteran who had a recurring role as the tactless Councilman Milton on Parks and Recreation, has died. He was 91.

Greene died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, his wife, Elsbeth M. Collins, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Greene also was known for his stint as Davey McQuinn, the elevator attendant in Molly’s (Blair Brown) apartment complex, on The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd. Created by Jay Tarses, the acclaimed comedy-drama ran on NBC and Lifetime from 1987-91.

Greene made his Broadway debut as a member of the chorus in a 1951 production of Romeo and Juliet starring Olivia de Havilland. Between that and the 1991 comedy La Bete, he appeared in 22 other Broadway plays and another 29 plays off-Broadway.

Greene also was in the original Broadway productions of Inherit the Wind, which debuted in 1955; Compulsion (1957); Elia Kazan’s The Changeling (1964); and Foxfire (1982), starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, and in revivals of You Can’t Take It With You (1965, 1967) and, opposite Jason Robards, The Iceman Cometh (1985).

On NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Greene made 16 appearances over three seasons as Fielding Milton, one of the five city council members of Pawnee, Indiana. His character, first elected in 1948 as a member of the Dixiecrat Party — its platform: De-integrate Baseball — was chairman of the Commitment to Re-convert the Pawnee Japanese Internment Camp Museum Back into a Working Internment Camp.

Born on Dec. 1, 1926, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Greene graduated from Emerson College in 1950, then became an original member of the Lincoln Center Repertory Company under Kazan.

He also was seen on the big screen in Doc (1971), The Missouri Breaks (1976), A Little Sex (1982), Patch Adams (1998), Road to Perdition (2002) and The Statement (2003) and found regular work on series including Alien Nation, The Practice and Men Behaving Badly.

Greene recently self-published A View From the Wings, a Theatre Memoir, with a foreword from Hal Holbrook.

In addition to his wife of 34 years — a veteran stage manager who is the head of production at the USC School of Dramatic Arts — survivors include a son, Christopher.

Filmography

 

Break a Hip (2015)

Break a Hip

7.1

TV Series

Mr. Steinberg

2018

2 episodes

 

Adam Scott, Rashida Jones, Jim O'Heir, Nick Offerman, Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Retta, Aziz Ansari, and Aubrey Plaza in Parks and Recreation (2009)

Parks and Recreation

8.6

TV Series

Councilman Milton

Councilman Fielding Milton

2012–2015

16 episodes

 

Dirk Blocker, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Joel McKinnon Miller, Andy Samberg, and Stephanie Beatriz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

8.4

TV Series

Hugh

2014

1 episode

 

Family Tree (2013)

Family Tree

7.4

TV Series

King ('The Plantagenets')

2013

1 episode

 

Assisted Loving

Video

Archie

2011

 

Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, and Maya Rudolph in Up All Night (2011)

Up All Night

6.5

TV Series

Len

2011

1 episode

 

Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sarah Hyland, Ed O'Neill, Eric Stonestreet, Beatrice the Dog, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Rico Rodriguez, Reid Ewing, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, and Jeremy Maguire in Modern Family (2009)

Modern Family

8.5

TV Series

Elderly Gentleman

2011

1 episode

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Birdie - 2006

2006

1 episode

 

Matt LeBlanc in Joey (2004)

Joey

6.0

TV Series

Walter

2005

1 episode

 

Vanessa Marcil, Tom Selleck, Josh Duhamel, Camille Guaty, James Lesure, and Molly Sims in Las Vegas (2003)

Las Vegas

7.4

TV Series

Smitty

2005

1 episode

 

Michael Caine, Jeremy Northam, John Neville, and Tilda Swinton in The Statement (2003)

The Statement

6.2

Dom Olivier

2003

 

Just Shoot Me! (1997)

Just Shoot Me!

6.9

TV Series

Father Vincent

2003

1 episode

 

Miracles (2003)

Miracles

7.6

TV Series

2003

1 episode

 

Lehi's Wife

Short

Lehi Smith

2002

 

Dennis Farina, Jean Smart, Elon Gold, and Bonnie Somerville in In-Laws (2002)

In-Laws

6.8

TV Series

Lester Hinman

2002

1 episode

 

Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin in Road to Perdition (2002)

Road to Perdition

7.7

Farmer Bill

2002

 

Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs, and Shannen Doherty in Charmed (1998)

Charmed

7.2

TV Series

Veteran

2002

1 episode

 

Mark Dacascos, Missy Crider, and Kadeem Hardison in Instinct to Kill (2001)

Instinct to Kill

4.7

Old Man

2001

 

Aidan Quinn, Jonathan Timmins, and Robert Timmins in The Prince and the Pauper (2000)

The Prince and the Pauper

6.6

TV Movie

Archbishop

2000

 

God, the Devil and Bob (2000)

God, the Devil and Bob

7.5

TV Series

(voice)

2000

1 episode

 

Dick Van Dyke and Barry Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder (1993)

Diagnosis Murder

6.8

TV Series

Jimmy Corley

2000

1 episode

 

Terry Farrell, Ted Danson, Alex Désert, Shawnee Smith, and Hattie Winston in Becker (1998)

Becker

7.3

TV Series

Dr. Clark

1999

1 episode

 

Kathleen Quinlan, Julie Warner, Tony Danza, Christopher McDonald, and Dixie Carter in Family Law (1999)

Family Law

6.5

TV Series

Mr. Richardson

1999

1 episode

 

Annie Potts and Lorraine Toussaint in Any Day Now (1998)

Any Day Now

8.4

TV Series

1999

1 episode

 

Stacey Dash, Rachel Blanchard, Elisa Donovan, Donald Faison, and Sean Holland in Clueless (1996)

Clueless

5.7

TV Series

Chester

1999

1 episode

 

Robert Beltran, Jennifer Lien, Robert Duncan McNeill, Kate Mulgrew, Robert Picardo, Jeri Ryan, Roxann Dawson, Ethan Phillips, Tim Russ, and Garrett Wang in Star Trek: Voyager (1995)

Star Trek: Voyager

7.9

TV Series

Passerby

1999

1 episode

 

Jennifer Grey, Chris Eigeman, Steven Eckholdt, Evan Handler, and A.J. Langer in It's Like, You Know... (1999)

It's Like, You Know...

7.4

TV Series

Shopkeeper

1999

1 episode

 

Calista Flockhart in Ally McBeal (1997)

Ally McBeal

6.9

TV Series

Father Robert McNamara

1999

1 episode

 

The Christmas Wish (1998)

The Christmas Wish

6.8

TV Movie

Warren Martin

1998

 

Robin Williams in Patch Adams (1998)

Patch Adams

6.8

Bile

1998

 

Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell, Colm Meaney, Nana Visitor, Avery Brooks, Armin Shimerman, Rene Auberjonois, and Alexander Siddig in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

8.1

TV Series

Koral

1998

1 episode

 

Photographing Fairies (1997)

Photographing Fairies

6.8

Minister

1997

 

The Cape (1996)

The Cape

7.1

TV Series

1997

1 episode

 

Justine Bateman, Rob Schneider, and Ron Eldard in Men Behaving Badly (1996)

Men Behaving Badly

6.3

TV Series

Harry

1996–1997

6 episodes

 

Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)

The Practice

7.7

TV Series

Emerson Ray

1997

3 episodes

 

Tony Shalhoub, Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck, Crystal Bernard, and Tim Daly in Wings (1990)

Wings

7.3

TV Series

Frank Tremain

1997

1 episode

 

CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984)

CBS Schoolbreak Special

6.9

TV Series

1996

1 episode

 

Middle Man

5.2

TV Movie

1995

 

Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story (1995)

Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story

6.0

TV Movie

Dr. Mistein

1995

 

Life with Louie (1994)

Life with Louie

8.3

TV Series

(voice)

1995

1 episode

 

Days of Our Lives (1965)

Days of Our Lives

5.2

TV Series

Ferry Captain

1994–1995

7 episodes

 

John Lithgow in My Brother's Keeper (1995)

My Brother's Keeper

5.6

TV Movie

Judge Reese

1995

 

Louis Gossett Jr. and Joseph Mazzello in A Father for Charlie (1995)

A Father for Charlie

7.0

TV Movie

Sam - the banker

1995

 

John Larroquette in The John Larroquette Show (1993)

The John Larroquette Show

7.2

TV Series

Mike O'Donnel

1994

1 episode

 

Noah Wyle and Sheryl Lee in Guinevere (1994)

Guinevere

4.8

TV Movie

Bishop

1994

 

Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Peri Gilpin, and Jane Leeves in Frasier (1993)

Frasier

8.2

TV Series

Salesman

1994

1 episode

 

Bruce Campbell in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993)

The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.

8.3

TV Series

Cartwright

1993

3 episodes

 

Philadelphia Experiment II (1993)

Philadelphia Experiment II

4.5

Professor Longstreet

1993

 

Matthew Modine in And the Band Played On (1993)

And the Band Played On

7.8

TV Movie

Dr. Alvin Freedman-Kien

1993

 

Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rosanna Arquette, Kieran Culkin, and Tiffany Taubman in Nowhere to Run (1993)

Nowhere to Run

5.7

Country Store Clerk

1993

 

Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell in Quantum Leap (1989)

Quantum Leap

8.2

TV Series

Denton Waters

1992

1 episode

 

Brooklyn Bridge (1991)

Brooklyn Bridge

8.7

TV Series

Principal Stan Germaine

1992

1 episode

 

Mark Harmon and Marlee Matlin in Reasonable Doubts (1991)

Reasonable Doubts

7.5

TV Series

Mr. Fitzpatrick

1991

1 episode

 

Blair Brown in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987)

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd

8.1

TV Series

Davey McQuinn

Doctor

Judge

1987–1991

65 episodes

 

Bess Armstrong, Ray Aranha, Megan Gallivan, Barbara Montgomery, Jay Thomas, and Chris Young in Married People (1990)

Married People

7.4

TV Series

Waiter Max

1990

1 episode

 

The Marshall Chronicles (1990)

The Marshall Chronicles

5.8

TV Series

SAT Official

1990

1 episode

 

Mary Frann, Jennifer Holmes, Steven Kampmann, Bob Newhart, and Tom Poston in Newhart (1982)

Newhart

7.8

TV Series

Beauty

1990

1 episode

 

Alien Nation (1989)

Alien Nation

6.9

TV Series

Uncle Moodri

1989–1990

5 episodes

 

Carroll O'Connor and Howard E. Rollins Jr. in In the Heat of the Night (1988)

In the Heat of the Night

7.6

TV Series

Amos Haber

1990

1 episode

 

Mancuso, FBI (1989)

Mancuso, FBI

7.3

TV Series

Flynn

1989

1 episode

 

Perfect Witness (1989)

Perfect Witness

6.0

TV Movie

Paddy O'Rourke

1989

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

Dr. Barron

1989

1 episode

 

The Cavanaughs (1986)

The Cavanaughs

7.7

TV Series

Uncle Seamus

1989

1 episode

 

Columbo Goes to the Guillotine (1989)

Columbo Goes to the Guillotine

7.2

TV Movie

Bert Spindler

1989

 

CBS Summer Playhouse (1987)

CBS Summer Playhouse

6.5

TV Series

Nathan Sanders

1988

1 episode

 

Charles Durning and Byron Allen in Case Closed (1988)

Case Closed

5.3

TV Movie

Scotti Bagwell

1988

 

Robert Davi, Sam Waterston, and Ron Leibman in Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (1988)

Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami

6.4

TV Movie

George Flanders

1988

 

Bruce Boxleitner, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Durning, George Kennedy, Dean Stockwell, Melanie Chartoff, Linda Gray, and Kenny Rogers in Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues (1987)

Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues

5.7

TV Movie

1987

 

Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Constance McCashin, John Pleshette, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing (1979)

Knots Landing

6.9

TV Series

Julian Carr

1987

1 episode

 

Max Headroom (1987)

Max Headroom

7.4

TV Series

Sidney Harding

1987

1 episode

 

Pals (1987)

Pals

5.2

TV Movie

Leek

1987

 

Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker in Perfect Strangers (1986)

Perfect Strangers

7.2

TV Series

Roger Morgan

1987

1 episode

 

Charlton Heston, Stephanie Beacham, Maxwell Caulfield, Katharine Ross, Tracy Scoggins, Barbara Stanwyck, John James, Emma Samms, and Claire Yarlett in The Colbys (1985)

The Colbys

6.0

TV Series

Dr. Hayes

1986

1 episode

 

Lorenzo Lamas and Michelle Nicastro in Body Rock (1984)

Body Rock

3.6

Chilly's Friend #2

1984

 

Sharon Gabet and Larkin Malloy in The Edge of Night (1956)

The Edge of Night

7.8

TV Series

E.J. Pond

1983

2 episodes

 

Jane Krakowski, Matthew Ashford, Domini Blythe, Colleen Dion, Terri Eoff, David Forsyth, Louan Gideon, Lee Godart, Marcia McCabe, Jeffrey Meek, Jacqueline Schultz, and Mary Stuart in Search for Tomorrow (1951)

Search for Tomorrow

7.1

TV Series

Priest (credit only)

1983

1 episode

 

Rage of Angels (1983)

Rage of Angels

6.0

TV Movie

Father Ryan

1983

 

The Cop and the Anthem

Short

At the Broken Window

1982

 

Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner in Hanky Panky (1982)

Hanky Panky

5.6

Doorman

1982

 

CBS Library (1979)

CBS Library

6.2

TV Series

Jeb (segment: The Chaparral Prince)

1982

1 episode

 

A Little Sex (1982)

A Little Sex

4.9

Father Anthony

1982

 

Ghost Story (1981)

Ghost Story

6.3

Mailman

1981

 

The Manions of America (1981)

The Manions of America

7.1

TV Mini Series

Shane O'Manion

1981

 

Texas (1980)

Texas

7.4

TV Series

Jim Barr

1981

2 episodes

 

Kate Jackson and Lillian Gish in Thin Ice (1981)

Thin Ice

6.5

TV Movie

McCormick

1981

 

Kate Mulgrew, Bernard Barrow, Helen Gallagher, Malcolm Groome, and Michael Hawkins in Ryan's Hope (1975)

Ryan's Hope

7.2

TV Series

Detective Martin

1980

4 episodes

 

Attica (1980)

Attica

6.5

TV Movie

Harold Turner

1980

 

As We with Candles Do

TV Movie

1979

 

Atom Spies

TV Movie

British High Commission

1979

 

Blind Ambition (1979)

Blind Ambition

6.7

TV Mini Series

E. Howard Hunt

1979

4 episodes

 

Stubby Pringle's Christmas (1978)

Stubby Pringle's Christmas

7.5

TV Movie

Skipper

1978

 

A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story (1978)

A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story

6.7

TV Movie

John Kieran

1978

 

Romance

TV Series

Buster Legge

1977

1 episode

 

The Spell (1977)

The Spell

5.6

TV Movie

Stan

1977

 

The Tony Randall Show (1976)

The Tony Randall Show

7.0

TV Series

Dr. Pepper

1977

1 episode

 

Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers, Carroll O'Connor, and Jean Stapleton in All in the Family (1971)

All in the Family

8.4

TV Series

Charles Martin

1976

1 episode

 

Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson in The Quest (1976)

The Quest

7.1

TV Series

Ollie

1976

1 episode

 

Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson in The Missouri Breaks (1976)

The Missouri Breaks

6.5

Hellsgate Rancher

1976

 

The Jolly Corner

6.3

TV Movie

1975

 

Knuckle

TV Movie

Bartender

1975

 

Lincoln (1974)

Lincoln

8.2

TV Mini Series

Henry B. Truett

1975

1 episode

 

Bug (1975)

Bug

5.2

Reverend Kern

1975

 

The Honorable Sam Houston

TV Movie

1975

 

Parker Adderson, Philosopher (1974)

Parker Adderson, Philosopher

7.8

TV Movie

Corporal

1974

 

Janet Jackson, Johnny Brown, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Ben Powers, Esther Rolle, BernNadette Stanis, and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)

Good Times

7.4

TV Series

Desk Sergeant

1974

1 episode

 

Mike Connors in Mannix (1967)

Mannix

7.4

TV Series

David Walcott

1974

1 episode

 

Nichols (1971)

Nichols

7.8

TV Series

Lou Feeny

1971

1 episode

 

Faye Dunaway, Stacy Keach, and Harris Yulin in 'Doc' (1971)

'Doc'

6.2

Frank McLowery

1971

 

The Traveling Executioner (1970)

The Traveling Executioner

6.3

Gravey Combs

1970

 

Babo 73 (1964)

Babo 73

5.3

Lawrence Silver-Sky

1964

 

Walter Matthau and Frank McGee in The DuPont Show of the Week (1961)

The DuPont Show of the Week

5.7

TV Series

Peters

1962

1 episode

 

Everglades! (1961)

Everglades!

7.9

TV Series

Ira W. Rogers

1962

1 episode

 

Naked City (1958)

Naked City

8.2

TV Series

Prisoner

1962

1 episode

 

John Davis Chandler and Leonardo Cimino in Mad Dog Coll (1961)

Mad Dog Coll

5.4

Ernie

1961

 

John Brown's Raid

5.3

TV Movie

1960

 

Soundtrack

Blair Brown in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987)

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd

8.1

TV Series

performer: "Fugue for Tinhorns"

performer: "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off"

1987–1988

2 episodes