Paul Reed

Who was Paul Reed?

Paul Reed was born Sidney Kahn and was an American actor known for his trademark "slow burn", which he made famous in his role as Captain Paul Block on Car 54, Where Are You?.

Orphaned at an early age and reunited with his family 2 years later in New York City, Reed started working Vaudeville Houses as a chewing gum peddler. In 1919, a performer carried him onto the stage and this began a career that would last until 1998. Reed was a performer and a singer on WOR Radio in New York in the 1930s. He would appear in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway Productions from 1940 to 1972, including several Gilbert and Sullivan works and long runs with Up in Central Park, Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Here's Love and Promises, Promises. In 1956, his comedic talents came forward as a foil for Sid Caesar in Caesar's Hour. In 1958, he would appear on Sergeant Bilko with future Car 54, Where Are You? star Joe E. Ross.

In 1961, Reed would be cast in the Nat Hiken situation comedy Car 54, Where Are You? as the beleaguered Captain Paul Block of the 53rd Precinct in the Bronx.