Leonard Stone (born Leonard Steinbock; November 3, 1923 – November 2, 2011) was an American stage, film, and television actor. His long Broadway career was crowned in 1959 with a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in *Redhead*. He is best known to the general public for his role as the pushy salesman Sam Beauregarde, Violet's father, in the 1971 film *Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory*. A prolific character actor, Stone appeared in over 120 television productions over five decades, making guest appearances in numerous hit series, including *L.A. Law*, *M*A*S*H*, *All in the Family*, *Mission: Impossible*, and *Barney Miller*. His versatility allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, solidifying his reputation as one of the most recognizable faces on American television of his time.