Who Remembers ‘Leave It To Beaver’s Gus the Fireman, Burt Mustin?

Burt Mustin, Leave It to Beaver, Gus the Fireman — Everett Collection

When a huge Leave It to Beaver fan suggested I write about Gus the Fireman, I knew he was right. Or, rather, that I knew he was write that I should write something about the absolutely amazing actor who played him: Burt Mustin.

Born in 1884 — yes, you heard me correctly, 1884 — Burt graduated from the Pennsylvania Military College in 1903. He was a great student, and a pretty darn good collegiate athlete, as well. After school, Burt did some exploring and traveled the country. While working in Memphis, he met and married Robina Woods in 1915, whom he would refer to as his “darling bond;” they would remain married for over 50 years, until her passing in 1969.

Leave It to Beaver, Burt Mustin, Gus the Fireman

Screenshot/Credit: CBS

At this point, you’re saying to yourself, “What’s so amazing about this guy?” Well, here’s the thing: although Burt was a multi-talented chap, he really had no idea that he would ever become one of Hollywood’s great character actors. After graduating from school with a civil engineering degree, Burt toyed around with the idea of becoming an engineer. He also pondered the possibilities of joining his father’s brokerage firm.

However, what really happened was that, for the next quarter of a century, Burt was a car salesman. But World War II, which temporarily halted automobile production in the U.S., forced Burt to pivot a bit.

The Lusty Men (1952). Everett Collection

For a short period of time at least, he became a salesman for hearing aids. At age 60, Mustin and his wife moved to the warmer climate of Tucson, Arizona, because of her failing health. It was there that he rediscovered a long-lost passion for acting by performing in an assortment of roles at local theaters. And it was in one of those plays that he caught the eye of a famous motion picture director, and the most unlikely of Hollywood careers began.

Over the next few years, Burt began getting role after role in both movies (like 1952’s The Lusty Men and 1962’s Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man) and television shows. Before you knew it, he had become a highly sought-after character actor because of his dependability and his humility. You see, selling hearing aids door to door has a way of humbling a man.

Leave It to Beaver, Gus the Fireman, Jerry Matthews

Screenshot/CBS

When Burt landed the role of Gus the Fireman on Leave It to Beaver, the chemistry between young Jerry Mathers and Burt was immediate and easy to see — and to this day, Jerry has fond memories of Burt. In a post on Jerry’s official website from 2013, Jerry said that Burt was a “kind and gracious man” who he enjoyed working with very much.

I have to believe that Burt felt the same way about Jerry. You see, he and Robina never had children. And although each of the 15 appearances that he made on the show were scripted interactions between Gus and “the Beav,” you really can feel the warmth, the paternal affection that Burt had towards this young man. He just always had a way of finding the right thing to say to Beaver and whoever he might be with, and he always found a way to do it without talking down or being condescending.

Burt’s final appearance in Leave It to Beaver was during Season 5, in an episode titled “Beaver’s Fear.” It’s a fitting finale for Gus as he helps a now-teenage Beaver overcome his fear of roller coasters; he does so by telling Beaver a story about rookie Gus the fireman and a fear that he had to overcome. It’s another touching moment that is made even more wonderful by Burt’s sincere performance.

He was 78 years old when he filmed his last episode of Leave It to Beaver. Can you believe it? And Burt was just getting started.

Leave It to Beaver, Burt Mustin, Fireman Gus

Screenshot/CBS

After Leave It to Beaver, he made 14 appearances as Judd Fletcher, or a variation of the character, on The Andy Griffith Show and its spinoffs. Again, Burt knocked this role out of the park. Quite frankly, I don’t think anyone could play an old man quite like Burt. Why? Well, most likely because he was one. Burt was filming episodes for Andy Griffith well into his eighties.

At this point, it’s likely you’re starting to recall what a versatile actor Burt Mustin turned out to be as well. Maybe you remember him from an episode of Dragnet; he made multiple appearances on that show. He was, after all, a personal friend of Jack Webb. Or maybe you remember that classic The Brady Bunch episode where Burt plays the son of a man whom the outlaw Jesse James gunned down from behind; once again, Burt is setting young men straight as Bobby Brady has been idolizing the notorious outlaw in this particular episode. Or maybe you remember him from Get Smart, All in the Family, or Sanford and Son. You get the idea. Burt was everywhere.

On January 28th, 1977, Burt passed away of natural causes at the ripe old age of 92. Sadly, the very next day, Freddie Prinze would pass away, as well, at just 22. Just like Burt was famous for being old, Freddie’s fame and infamy was cemented in the Hollywood history books for dying way too young.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all as sharp-witted, in fine shape, and still had a great sense of humor the way that Burt did during his golden years? The man was simply amazing.