Willard Lewis Waterman was an American character actor in films, TV and on radio, remembered best for replacing Harold Peary as the title character of The Great Gildersleeve at the height of that show's popularity.
Waterman in The Halls of Ivy (1950)
Willard Waterman (right) and Stephanie Griffin (left) in the TV series The Great Gildersleeve, 1955
Harold "Hal" Peary was an American actor, comedian and singer in radio, films, television, and animation. His most memorable role is as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, which began as a supporting character on radio's "Fibber McGee and Molly" in 1938.
Peary in 1952
Peary in 1940
Peary at right as a guest star on Petticoat Junction, 1969