Biography
Thomas J. D'Andrea was an American actor known for his work in film and television. He began his career at the Chicago Public Library before moving into publicity at Chicago's Sherman Hotel. There, connections with entertainers opened the door for him to work in Hollywood. In 1934, he relocated to Hollywood and became a publicist for stars including Betty Grable, Gene Autry, Mae Clarke, and Jackie Coogan.
Starting in 1937, D'Andrea wrote scripts, crafting dialogue for performers such as Ben Bernie, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, and Olsen and Johnson. He continued writing for television, contributing to shows featuring Cantor and Donald O'Connor. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1941, he was assigned to write a program for Gracie Fields at Camp Roberts, California. During rehearsals, Fields invited him to perform on the show. In 1943, he joined the Overseas Radio Unit, where he expanded his role to include comedy performance alongside writing.
While dining at Ciro's Restaurant on Sunset Strip, a Warner Bros. executive noticed him, leading to a role in This Is the Army alongside Ronald Reagan. In 1946, Warner Bros. signed him to a long-term contract. He appeared in films such as Pride of the Marines with John Garfield, Night and Day with Cary Grant, Never Say Goodbye, Silver River with Errol Flynn, and Dark Passage with Humphrey Bogart. His final film role was in A House Is Not a Home with Shelley Winters in 1964.
Following his appearance in the 1950 film Kill the Umpire with William Bendix, D'Andrea was cast as Gillis, the talkative neighbor in the long-running television series The Life of Riley, starring Bendix. His television credits also include Death Valley Days with Ronald Reagan, Playhouse 90, and Hallmark Hall of Fame.
Although he officially retired in his 60s, D'Andrea continued performing. According to his son Tom, he remained active at venues like the Friars Club, entertaining friends. He performed club dates at The Sands with Frank Sinatra and appeared in a summer replacement TV show called The Soldiers with Hal March. After their departure, the show continued with Phil Silvers and was renamed Sgt. Bilko.
On television, D'Andrea played Bill the bartender in Dante and appeared as himself in The Soldiers.
His filmography includes This Is the Army, Pride of the Marines, Night and Day, Two Guys from Milwaukee, Never Say Goodbye, Humoresque, Love and Learn, Dark Passage, To the Victor, Silver River, Smart Girls Don't Talk, Fighter Squadron, Flaxy Martin, Tension, Kill the Umpire, The Next Voice You Hear..., Little Egypt, and A House Is Not a Home. His television appearances span series such as The Soldiers, The Life of Riley, The Bill Dana Show, My Living Doll, The Farmer's Daughter, The Double Life of Henry Phyfe, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres, and That Girl, among others.
