Richard Damon Elliott (April 30, 1886 – December 22, 1961) was an American character actor who played in over 240 films from the 1930s until the time of his death. Early years Elliott was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Career Elliott played many different roles, typically as a somewhat blustery sort, such as a politician. A short, fat man, Elliott played Santa Claus on the Jimmy Durante, Red Skelton, and Jack Benny programs. Elliott had a couple of memorable lines in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), in which he scolded James Stewart, who was trying to say goodnight to Donna Reed, advising him: "Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?" He also had a few memorable appearances in episodes of the Adventures of Superman television series. He appeared three times as Stanley on the CBS sitcom December Bride, as well as on two of ABC/Warner Brothers' western series, Sugarfoot and Maverick. He was cast as the prospector Peter Cooper and then as Sheriff Tiny Morris in two segments of CBS's Tales of the Texas Rangers. He appeared twice as Doc Thornton on ABC's The Real McCoys. Elliott is perhaps best known as Mayberry's Mayor Pike in early episodes of CBS's The Andy Griffith Show, one of his last screen works. In two of the eleven episodes featuring Elliot as mayor, actress Josie Lloyd portrayed his daughter. Death On December 22, 1961, the 75-year-old Elliott died from complications of severe cardiovascular disease. Selected filmography Central Airport (1933) - Man Looking for Driver (uncredited) Picture Snatcher (1933) - Editor (uncredited) The Silk Express (1933) - Garson (uncredited) The Last Trail (1933) - Train Passenger (uncredited) The Worst Woman in Paris? (1933) - Mayor Rodney (uncredited) Please (1933, Short) - Johnny's Father Woman Unafraid (1934) - Tom Brady The Merry Frinks (1934) - 1st Reporter (uncredited) We're Rich Again (1934) - Mr. Green, the Yachtsman Helldorado (1935) - Mayor (uncredited) Times Square Lady (1935) - Stage Doorman (uncredited) It Happened in New York (1935) - Publicity Man Princess O'Hara (1935) - Agent (uncredited) Reckless (1935) - Man Near Drums (uncredited) Mister Dynamite (1935) - Buck (uncredited) Men of the Hour (1935) - Theatre Manager Break of Hearts (1935) - Max (uncredited) Ladies Crave Excitement (1935) - Stark's Aide (uncredited) Welcome Home (1935) - Emanuel Bond (uncredited) The Public Menace (1935) - Apartment House Manager (uncredited) Dr. Socrates (1935) - Photographer