Maurice Marsac

Maurice Marsac (23 March 1915 – 6 May 2007) was a French actor who had a long career, with over 150 appearances in American films and television. He was also a nationally ranked croquet player.

Born in La Croix-Valmer, France, he was a member of the French Resistance in World War II.

He made his (uncredited) film debut in Paris After Dark (1943); his last part was as a maitre d' in Dragnet (1987). He was noted for portraying waiters and maitre d's. In addition to Dragnet, he played one in the films The Razor's Edge (1946, uncredited), Herbie Rides Again (1974) and The Jerk (1979), as well as episodes of I Love Lucy ("Ricky Asks for a Raise", 1952; "Paris at Last", 1956), Hazel (1966), Columbo ("Publish or Perish", 1975), Wonder Woman ("Death in Disguise", 1978), Soap (1979) and L.A. Law ("The Douglas Fur Ball", 1987), among others. He also played Nicodemus in the 1961 biblical epic King of Kings.

He was a member of the Beverly Croquet Club and a resident pro in Newport Beach. In 1986, he was among the top 25 American players in the "informal rankings". He played in the 1994 US Croquet Open, a qualifier for the 1995 World Championships. Melanie, his wife of 55 years, was also a skilled croquet player.

Marsac died of cardiac arrest at the age of 92, less than three weeks after the passing of his wife.