Actor James Noble Dies at 94

James Noble., who is remembered for playing Governor James Gatling on 1979-86 ABC sitcom “Benson,” died on Monday at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. He was 94.

Born on March 5, 1922 in Dallas, Noble made his Broadway debut in a 1949 production of the comedy “The Velvet Glove” and went on to appear in four more Broadway shows, including the musical “1776.” He also had a small role in the 1972 film version of “1776.” His early TV appearances included daytime dramas “The Edge of Night,” “As the World Turns” and “The Doctors,” and he was a regular on 1988 CBS sitcom “First Impressions.”

Noble’s wife, actress Carolyn Coates, whom he met when they were both appearing in a production of “Pygmalion,” died in 2005. He is survived by his daughter, Jessica Katherine Noble Cowan.