Harold "Hal" Peary (born Harrold José Pereira de Faria; July 25, 1908 – March 30, 1985)[1] was an American actor, comedian and singer in radio, films, television, and animation.

Born as José Pereira de Faria in San Leandro, California, to Portuguese parents,[2] Harold Peary (pronounced Perry) began working in local radio as early as 1923, according to his own memory.

Implicitly well-off though by no means wealthy, Gildersleeve was depicted winding up his lingerie-making company and taking up a new life as Summerfield's water commissioner.

His on-screen nemesis was Judge Horace Hooker (Earle Ross), who oversaw his guardianship of Marjorie and Leroy and became a friend and periodic rival in various schemes.

Peary also found occasion to weave his singing voice into show episodes, such as "Mystery Voice" in which he referenced his former Spanish Serenader radio persona in a plot involving a Brazilian singer on a local radio show (Mel Blanc guested as the station manager), concurrently referencing his Portuguese heritage.

But his best-remembered vocalism would be what radio historians have called his "dirty laugh," a descending giggle that could start from sarcasm and finish in embarrassment or substitute for being at a schoolboy-like loss for words.

Radio veteran Joseph Kearns played veterinarian Dr. Yancey, known better as Doc Yak-Yak and similar to former Gildersleeve foil Judge Hooker.

That same year he played Peabody in the Rod Serling-scripted "Sheriff of Fetterman's Crossing" episode of Lloyd Bridges' Western series The Loner.

Peary also made guest appearances in numerous sitcoms during the 1960s, including The Dick Van Dyke Show, My Three Sons, The Addams Family, My Mother the Car, Petticoat Junction, That Girl, The Brady Bunch and Love, American Style.

He appeared in numerous commercials for products such as: Gibraltar Savings and Loan, Charmin, Faygo (as spokes character in a series of spots), Red Goose Shoes, and Challenge Dairy.