Richard Schaal was an American actor known for his roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Slaughterhouse-Five, and The Hollywood Knights. He was born on May 5, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away on November 4, 2014, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Personal and Family Life
Richard Schaal was married three times, to Lois Treacy, Valerie Harper, and Tasha Brittain, with whom he had one child, Wendy Schaal. Before his acting career, he ran a construction company and later joined the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. In 2010, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Chicago Improv Festival for his contributions to comedy.
Career
Schaal was notable for being the only actor to have recurring roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-offs, Rhoda and Phyllis, during his marriage to Valerie Harper in the 1970s. This unique achievement highlights his talent and significance in the television industry of that era.
Death and Legacy
Richard Schaal died on November 4, 2014, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. His work in both television and film has left a lasting impact, remembered by fans and colleagues alike for his comedic talents and significant performances throughout his career.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Slaughterhouse-Five | 1972-03-15 | Campbell |
| The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! | 1966-05-25 | Oscar Maxwell |
| The Cube | 1969-02-23 | The Man in the Cube |
| Americathon | 1979-08-10 | Jerry |
| Thursday’s Game | 1974-04-14 | Bob |
| Once Bitten | 1985-11-15 | Mr. Kendall |
| O’Hara’s Wife | 1982-01-01 | Jerry Brad |
| Nightmare | 1974-01-08 | George |
| The Virgin President | 1968-11-18 | Hugh Mugababy |
| Song of the Succubus | 1975-03-07 | Vic |
| Let’s Switch! | 1975-01-07 | Ross Daniels |
| Pecos Bill | 1986-01-01 | Bob Watkins |
| Rock-a-Die Baby | 1975-03-21 | Vic |
| Jim Henson Idea Man | 2024-05-18 | The Man in the Cube (archive footage) |
| The Rockford Files | 1974-09-13 | Leonard Blair |
| NBC Experiment in Television | The Man in the Cube | |
| I Dream of Jeannie | 1965-09-18 | Oglethorpe |
| Here We Go Again | 1973-01-20 | Chuck |
| Just Our Luck | 1983-09-20 | Chuck |
| The Mary Tyler Moore Show | 1970-09-19 | Howard Arnell |
| The Mary Tyler Moore Show | 1970-09-19 | Dino |
| Sydney | 1990-03-12 | |
| Tall Tales & Legends | 1985-09-25 | Bob Watkins |