Francis De Sales, 76; Veteran Radio, TV and Movie Actor

Francis De Sales, a character actor featured in more than 3,000 radio shows, including the long-running series, “Mr. and Mrs. North” in the 1940s, has died at his Van Nuys home of cancer. He was 76.

De Sales played police Detective Bill Wiegand in the popular “North” series while it aired on radio, from 1942 to 1954, and again when it became a television series, between 1952 and 1954. Lt. Wiegand was the Norths’ foil, watching the couple stumble on murders wherever they went and standing by as they ultimately solved the crimes.

According to his wife, Doris, De Sales was born in Philadelphia and took to acting after failing to sell his work as a writer.

His first big role was in “Dead End,” a 1935 Broadway hit that was the precursor to the “Dead End Kids” and “Bowery Boys” movie series.

After several more stage roles in New York, he turned to radio, and at one point had his own show, “King’s Row,” which later became a movie with Ronald Reagan in a leading role.

De Sales moved his family to California once the “North” series went on television.

He later had roles in “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” playing David Nelson’s boss at a law firm, and in “Two Faces West,” a 1961 Western series.

He appeared in more than 20 films, including “A Majority of One,” “Psycho,” “The Outfit” and “Wait Until Dark.”

Funeral services for De Sales, who died Sunday, were held Wednesday evening at the St. Jane Frances Roman Catholic Church in North Hollywood. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Stephan and Christopher, and four grandchildren.