Richard Jaeckel was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Dirty Dozen, Sometimes a Great Notion, and Town Without Pity. Over his long career, he became recognized for playing tough characters in both films and television.
Personal and Family Life
Richard Jaeckel was born on October 10, 1926, in Long Beach, New York. He moved with his family to Los Angeles during his teenage years. On May 29, 1947, he married Antoinette Helen Marches, and together they had two children, Richard Jaeckel Jr. and Barry Louis Jaeckel.
Career Highlights
Jaeckel’s career began when he was discovered as a mailboy at 20th Century-Fox. He gained fame for his performances in war films, particularly seen in Guadalcanal Diary and Sands of Iwo Jima. He was recognized for his diverse roles, often portraying the tough guy or villain, and he remained a hardworking and prolific actor in Hollywood for over five decades.
Death and Legacy
Richard Jaeckel passed away on June 14, 1997, at the age of 70 after battling melanoma. He died at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Jaeckel is remembered as one of Hollywood’s most talented supporting actors, with a legacy of memorable performances across film and television.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Dirty Dozen | 1967-06-15 | Sergeant Bowren |
| Sometimes a Great Notion | 1971-12-17 | Joe Ben Stamper |
| Town Without Pity | 1961-10-10 | Corporal Birdwell Scott |
| Guadalcanal Diary | 1943-10-27 | Pvt. Johnny (‘Chicken’) Anderson |
| Sands of Iwo Jima | 1949-01-01 | PFC Frank Flynn |
| Sometimes a Great Notion | 1971-12-17 | Joe Ben Stamper |
| 3:10 to Yuma | 1957-08-07 | Charlie Prince |
| Firehouse | 1974-04-11 | Hank Myers |
| Baywatch | 1989-04-23 | Ben Edwards |
| The Dirty Dozen: Next Mission | 1985-02-04 | MP Sgt. Clyde Bowren |