Actor Allan Melvin dies at 84

Obituary: TV thesp best known for 'Brady Bunch' role -- Allan Melvin, a character actor with countless credits best known for playing Sam the Butcher on "The Brady Bunch," has died. Allan Melvin Allan Melvin, a character actor with countless credits best known for playing Sam the Butcher on "The Brady Bunch," has died. He was 84. Melvin died of cancer Thursday at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, said his wife of 64 years, Amalia Melvin. The jowly, jovial Melvin spent decades playing a series of sidekicks, second bananas and lovable lugs, including Archie Bunker's friend Barney Hefner on "All in the Family" and Sgt. Bilko's right-hand man Cpl. Henshaw on "The Phil Silvers Show." But his place in pop culture will be fixed as butcher and bowler Sam Franklin, the love interest of Brady family maid Alice Nelson, played by Ann B. Davis. Melvin played the role from 1970-73. Born in Kansas City, Mo., Melvin grew up in New York and attended Columbia U. He was appearing on Broadway in "Stalag ... (link)