Ed Reimers

Edwin Warren "Ed" Reimers was an American actor and veteran television and commercial announcer who played Admiral Fitzpatrick in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode. He was perhaps best known as the spokesman for the insurance company from 1957 through 1979.

Early life and career
Reimers was born in Moline, Illinois on 26 October 1912. He began a career in radio in the 1930s, which included stints in cities such as Des Moines, Iowa. While serving as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II, he set up radio communications and broadcast to the troops.

In 1950, Reimers began working at KTTV Channel 11 in Los Angeles, California, which at the time was an affiliate of CBS (though it became an affiliate for the now-defunct DuMont Television Network the following year and became an independent station in 1954). During his time at KTTV, Reimers' duties ranged from reporting the news to hosting an afternoon film presentation known as "Movieland Matinee."

Allstate
Reimers was perhaps best known as the spokesman for Illinois-based insurance company, a job he held for twenty-two years starting in 1957. He appeared in many television commercials for Allstate during that time, in which he delivered the company's famous slogan, "You're in good hands with Allstate" while his hands were cupped together. A blooper from one commercial has Reimers saying "And Captain, you're in good hands with Tribbles" as someone tosses him a tribble which he catches in his cupped hands during filming of the episode. 

For their commercials, Allstate would bring Reimers to areas hit by natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes to promote their brand of insurance. Reimers also did Allstate commercials for radio and appeared in print advertising for the company in which he is shown making the cupped-hand gesture. According to his daughter, Reimers continued to receive pension checks from Allstate up to his death.

Announcing and narrating
Besides his appearances in Allstate commercials, Reimers was an announcer on several television programs, including the CBS game show Do You Trust Your Wife? and early Warner Bros. western series Cheyenne and Maverick. In addition, he narrated shows such as Thunderbolt the Wondercolt (which featured the voice of Walker Edmiston in the title role) and Crusader (which starred Brian Keith).

Reimers also did commercials for such products as Skippy peanut butter and Crest toothpaste. He even filled in for Hugh Downs on The Tonight Show in New York City when Downs took his vacations. In addition, he narrated industrial films for Lockheed Missiles & Space Company and Aerojet-General Corporation.

Film and television appearances
In addition to his on-screen appearance on Star Trek, Reimers has been seen on such television shows as Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (including an episode with Anthony Caruso), M Squad (with John Hoyt), and The Munsters.

Reimers made a number of film appearances, as well. In the 1951 film On the Loose, Reimers played a prosecuting attorney in a court case opposite Lawrence Dobkin, who played the defense attorney. He later appeared in the 1965 comedy The Loved One, along with Robert Easton and Paul Williams. In 1971, Reimers appeared in two films from Walt Disney Productions: The Barefoot Executive, with Hal Baylor and Vince Howard and directed by Robert Butler, and The Million Dollar Duck, directed by Vincent McEveety and also featuring James Gregory and Jack Perkins.

Later years and death
Reimers lived in Los Angeles for most of his life, but moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, after his wife Katherine's death in 2007. Reimers died of age-related causes at his daughter's home in Saratoga Springs on 16 August 2009. He was 96 years old. He was survived by his daughter, Kathryn, and two grandsons.