The Biography

Norman Alden (né Adelberg; September 13, 1924 – July 27, 2012) was an American character actor. His career lasted nearly 50 years, including many diverse and memorable performances. Some of his notable roles include the voice of Sir Kay in The Sword in the Stone (1963), Dr. Linstrom in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), diner owner Lou in Back to the Future (1985), the voice of Kranix in The Transformers: The Movie (1986), the construction foreman in They Live (1988), and cameraman Bill in Ed Wood (1994). Alden also made numerous guest appearances in popular shows like Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and The Twilight Zone. Alden first discovered his passion for acting while attending Texas Christian University, where he participated in on-campus theater productions. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he pursued a career in acting, making his first television appearance in 1957 on The 20th Century Fox Hour. Alden continued to work steadily until his retirement in 2006.