 Director Preston Sturges once praised Tannen for his acting ability, being quoted as saying, If you have a middle-aged character part, either Gentile or Jewish, either comic or dramatic, I urge you to give it to Tannen, and I guarantee that you will be enchanted by his authority, his unction, his voice, his theatrical resource, and his profound ability.Tannen also made many appearances on such television series as "Bonanza, "Gunsmoke, "Perry Mason", "Lassie", "The Twilight Zone", "Rawhide", "The Rifleman" and "Jefferson Drum".In 1957 Tannen appeared as "Lonnie the Conductor" in the TV western"Cheyenne" in the episode titled "The Iron Trail."