Despite an acting span of more than 40 years and some 102 appearances, Cranshaw's first credited film role came at the age of 41, in The Amazing Transparent Man (1960). Cranshaw's mild-mannered and gentlemanly demeanor led him to a number of roles as bank tellers, store managers, and grandfathers. His major credits include Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bandelero! (1968) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985), Moving (1988), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Nothing to Lose (1998), Almost Heroes (1997), Broken Vessels (1998), Best in Show (2000), Bubble Boy (2001), and Old School (2003). He also appeared in over 50 television shows, including a recurring role as Mel's Diner regular Andy on the sitcom Alice, as well as a recurring role in the short lived spin off, of M*A*S*H, After MASH.
