Actor Max Showalter (Casey Adams) dies

CHESTER, Conn. (AP) -- Max Showalter, whose career on the stage and screen paired him with everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Bo Derek, died Sunday of cancer. He was 83.

Showalter's film career included the 1953 production of "Niagara" with Monroe. He also acted with Derek in "10. He had parts in the "The Music Man," "Racing with the Moon," and played the role of Grandpa Fred in "Sixteen Candles."

During the 1950s, he performed under the name Casey Adams. His 1958 role in "It Happened To Jane," with Doris Day literally landed Showalter on the shores of Chester. While filming the saga of heroine trying to get her Maine lobster crop to market, Showalter, fell in love with the river valley town and promised he'd return to settle there.

Showalter returned to the area in 1984 to produce the musical "Harrington 'n Hart" at the Goodspeed at Chester.

Showalter's stage credits include the long-running "Hello, Dolly!" opposite Carol Channing, Betty Grable, Ginger Rogers and Betsy Palmer.