Eddie Haskell

Eddie Haskell (also known as Edward Clark Haskell) is a fictional character of the Leave It to Beaver television situation comedy which ran on CBS from October 4, 1957 to 1958 and then on ABC from 1958 to June 20, 1963. The character was also featured in Still the Beaver and a film of the same name.

Related Topics:
Fictional character - Leave It to Beaver - Situation comedy - CBS - October 4 - 1957 - 1958 - ABC - June 20 - 1963 - Still the Beaver

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The character of Eddie Haskell, played in the original series by Ken Osmond became a cultural reference, recognized as an archetype for the behind-your-back rebel. Eddie was the kind of friend parents such as Ward and June Cleaver wish their children would limit association with, but need to have to gain learning experiences. Even today, the phrase "Eddie Haskell" is known to refer to an insincere brownnoser.

Related Topics:
Eddie Haskell - Ken Osmond - Archetype - Ward - June Cleaver

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Eddie was known for his neat grooming hiding his shallow and sneaky character. Typically, Eddie would greet his friends' parents with overdone good manners and often a compliment such as "That's a lovely dress you're wearing, Mrs. Cleaver." Eddie's two-faced style was also typified by his efforts to curry favor by trying to talk to adults at the level he thought they would respect, such as referring to their children as Theodore (Beaver's much-disliked given name) and Wallace, even though the parents called them Beaver and Wally.

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Eddie, the weaselly wise guy, could be relied upon to connive and instigate schemes with his friends -- schemes for which they would be in the position of blame, if (and usually when) caught. One of his most infamous pranks with the Cleaver boys involved fastening a chain around the rear axle of their friend Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford's car, causing unplanned damage as the entire third member and wheels became detached when he tried to move the car. The prank was repeated on a police car in a scene in the film American Graffiti.

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The child-actor who became so memorable as the wise-cracking Eddie Haskell went on to a real life career as one of the "good guys," whose job is "to Protect and to Serve." Ken Osmond served an 18 year career with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). During his time on the force he worked in vice, narcotics and as a motorcycle officer. He retired after getting hit with three bullets while in a foot chase with a suspected car thief. He eventually returned to acting with appearances on Happy Days and the TV movie High School USA. Osmond reprised his role as ?Eddie? on the TV series revival Still the Beaver and appeared in the 1997 feature film Leave It to Beaver. For the 1997 film, instead of attempting to replace Osmond's unforegettable Haskell character, Osmond played Eddie Haskell, Sr., with young actor Adam Zolotin in the role of Eddie Haskell, Jr.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles Police Department - Happy Days - 1997 - Leave It to Beaver - Adam Zolotin

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