Lanny Eliot Rees

Lanny Eliot Rees was born on December 14, 1933 in Veradale, Washington, the youngest of eight children born to Arthur and Mildred (Hooper) Rees. It was clear from a very early age that this was a child destined for a unique and quite remarkable life. His mother realized her youngest had talent and soon had him taking dancing lessons, and with the arrival of World War II, little Lanny began entertaining the troops at camp shows in the Spokane area. With most of his older brothers serving in the military, Lanny’s parents decided to move the family to Los Angeles in the hope that Lanny could get into the movies. And that’s exactly what happened.

Lanny epitomized the look of the ‘All American” boy in the 40s-50s era, and quickly found film work in “A Likely Story”, playing the third lead in his very first film as Barbara Hale’s younger brother. Many other films and TV shows quickly followed, as he was equally adept in comedies, dramas, and westerns, appearing with such screen legends as James Cagney and Roy Rogers. He played the lead in the film, “My Dog Shep”, and was also cast as ‘Junior’ in “The Life of Riley” with William Bendix, a film that led to the TV series, where Lanny reprised his role opposite Jackie Gleason for the show’s first season.

In 1954 Lanny began a hitch in the US Army. Now married to Myrna Jackson and with a family to support, he needed steady work and found it testing component parts for Rocketdyne. He was awarded the Exceptional Service Medal from the US Air Force when he and five other men prevented an Atlas missile from exploding.

He returned to the Spokane area with his family and began his long career as a truck mechanic, working for his brother, Cliff, at Rees Truck & Trailer Repair. But his love of performing and acting never went away, as he spent all of his free time on-stage and backstage at Spokane Civic theatre, where he met singer/actress Natalie Monte in 1969. Now divorced, Lanny began an on-and-off courtship with her which led to their marriage in 1972. The couple became well-known theatre performers for the next decade in Spokane. They moved to the Seattle area in 1986 and built a new home. When Lanny retired in 2003, he began to focus on his two favorite hobbies. He had a green thumb, loved gardening, and created enviable landscapes. He also became an extraordinary woodworker, filling their home with beautiful and unique furniture and, in later years, making ukuleles.

Lanny was one of a kind. Talented in so many areas, his intelligence, sharp wit, and sense of humor were always on display. His son Mel noted that his dad ‘really could fill a room’ with his personality and his stories. Once you met him, you didn’t forget him.

He fought a valiant battle with cancer for 6 long years, strong and uncomplaining to the end. His passing has left a huge void in our lives and his family and friends will miss him forever. Lanny was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Mildred, his siblings Margaret, Arthur, Norman, Vernon, Richard, Clifford, and Louis, and his oldest son, Mark. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Natalie, and by his sons Richard Michael (Vicki), Mitchell (Pamela), Melvin (Laurie), and daughter Lani, his stepsons Scott Warner (Tina) and Michael Warner (Nancy), 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 29624 130th Way SE, Auburn, WA from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Come share your memories of Lanny as we gather to remember all that he meant to us in his amazing life. Refreshments will be served.