Woodrow Parfrey

Sydney Woodrow Parfrey, known as Woodrow Parfrey, was an American film and television actor active from the 1950s to the early 1980s. Born on October 5, 1922, in New York City, Parfrey lost his parents as a teenager. He attended The New School and worked as an automobile mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, determined by tests to be suitable for acting, Parfrey turned to this new profession. He initially acted mostly on Broadway or regional stage in the late 1940s and 1950s, transitioning extensively to television and film in the 1960s. He won the Fanny Kemble Award for his portrayal of the offbeat informant Herbert Gelman on Broadway in the initial production of Advise and Consent. Besides his part in Papillon (1973), Parfrey is often remembered for his role as Maximus, one of the three 'See No Evil' orangutan judges in Planet of the Apes (1968), and his frequent appearances in films directed by Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood.

Parfrey’s career entails varied and substantial television guest-star roles, especially for fantasy and spy programs that heavily leaned on distinctive guest appearances at the time. He appeared in such shows as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Perry Mason, The Waltons, Backstairs at the White House, and in his only consistent role, the CBS series Time Express. Despite being a predictable supporting player, Parfrey managed to secure some influential A-movie parts, reflecting his performance versatility. He passed away on July 29, 1984, at 61 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a rich legacy in American television and film industry.