Burt Mustin was a salesman most of his life, but got his first taste of show business as the host of a weekly radio variety show on KDKA Pittsburgh in 1921. He appeared onstage in "Detective Story" at Sombrero Playhouse in Phoenix Arizona, and played the janitor in the movie version ( Detective Story (1951)) after moving to Hollywood. Hundreds of screen appearances later he announced his retirement while filming an episode of "Phyllis" (1975). In the episode, his character married Mother Dexter, played by actress Judith Lowry. Lowry died one month before, and Mustin died one month after the episode aired.

During the 30s and 40s he was a member of the PITTSBURGH SAVOYARDS, the oldest Gilbert and Sullivan troupe in the United States. Although he could barely sing, his character parts were criticaly praised.Graduated from Pennsylvania Military Academy (now called Widener University) in Chester, Pennsylvania and was commencement speaker for the 1972 graduating class in May 1972.First film at age 67.Burt was a member of SPEBSQSA, the U.S. Barbershop Music Harmony Society, and was master of ceremonies for many shows in the 1960s and 70s. One of his quartets was called the "Cavity Four" as all four members had false teeth, which as comic devices they often removed.Interred at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California, USA, in the Loving Kindness section, lot #7844.