Richard "Dick" Elliott (April 30, 1886 - December 22, 1961) was an American character actor from the 1930s until the time of his death.
He played many different roles, in over 240 films, typically as a somewhat blustery sort, such as a politician. A short, fat man, Elliott played Santa Claus on the Jimmy Durante, Andy Griffith, Red Skelton, and Jack Benny Shows. He had a single, memorable line in It's a Wonderful Life, where he scolded Jimmy Stewart, who was trying to say goodnight to Donna Reed, advising him to stop hemming and hawing and just go ahead and kiss her.
He also had a few memorable appearances in episodes of Adventures of Superman TV series. He is perhaps best known as the mayor in early episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, which would prove to be almost his last screen work.
He is buried in Forest Lawn Glendale.
Dick Elliott is a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 28th District since 1992. He was previously a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1982 through 1992.
Short, fat-bellied character usually cast as a blowhard and windbag.
