Harold Gould (December 10, 1923 -- September 11, 2010) was an American character actor and voice actor born Harold Vernon Goldstein, best known for his television roles as Martin Morgenstern in Rhoda and Miles Webber in The Golden Girls. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he appeared in more than 300 television programs, 20 major films, and 100 stage productions, earning five Emmy Award nominations.1 He contributed a guest voice to Extreme Ghostbusters, appearing in the episode "The True Face of a Monster" (1997).
Early life
Born Harold Vernon Goldstein on December 10, 1923, in Schenectady, New York, Gould was raised in Colonie, New York in a Jewish household. His father Louis worked as a postal worker; his mother Lillian was a homemaker who also held a part-time position with the New York State Health Department. A strong student, he graduated as valedictorian of his high school class and initially enrolled at Albany Teachers College to study education.1
After two years of college, Gould enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War II with a chemical mortar battalion in France. He developed trench foot and was sent to England to recover, then returned to service in rail transport operations. Following the war, he switched his focus to drama, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued at Cornell University, earning an MA in 1948 and a PhD in theatre in 1953. It was at Cornell that he met his future wife, Lea Vernon.1