Richard Erdman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Erdman
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Erdman in The Admiral Was a Lady (1950)
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| Born |
John Richard Erdmann
June 1, 1925 |
| Died | March 16, 2019 (aged 93) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Other names | Dick Erdman |
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| Years active | 1944–2017 |
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| Children | 1 |
Richard Erdman (born John Richard Erdmann; June 1, 1925 – March 16, 2019) was an American actor and sometimes a director for movies and TV shows. He appeared in over 160 films and television programs. Most of his roles were supporting parts, meaning he played characters who helped the main story along.
He is best known for his roles in classic movies like Stalag 17 (1953) and Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). Later in his life, he became famous again for playing Leonard in the funny TV series Community (2009–2015).
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Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Richard Erdman was born as John Richard Erdmann in Enid, Oklahoma. When he was a child, his parents divorced. He moved to Colorado Springs with his mother and a sibling when he was a teenager.
He went to Palmer High School, where he enjoyed performing on stage. During his youth, he also worked as a paper boy for a local newspaper. A stage director named Newton Winburne encouraged him to try acting in Hollywood.
A Long Career in Film and TV
Erdman began his acting journey at Warner Bros., a big movie studio. Some of his first roles were in films like Mr. Skeffington and Janie in 1944. After a few small parts, he became known as a "character actor." This means he often played interesting, unique supporting roles rather than the main hero.
Famous Movie Roles
Richard Erdman had a long career that lasted for seven decades. One of his most famous roles was Hoffy, the barracks chief, in the movie Stalag 17. He also played McNulty, a talkative bar customer, in "A Kind of a Stopwatch" episode of The Twilight Zone.
He appeared in The Men (1950) with Marlon Brando. He was also in the crime film Cry Danger (1951). In the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970), he played Colonel Edward F. French. This character was involved in the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Television Appearances
Richard Erdman was a familiar face on television. He appeared in the CBS TV series Perry Mason several times. He played Arthur Binney in one episode and later played a murderer in three other episodes.
He also made guest appearances on many popular shows. These included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Dream of Jeannie, The Beverly Hillbillies, Cheers, and Murder, She Wrote.
Voice Acting and Directing
Erdman was also known for his voice work in animated shows. He lent his voice to characters in Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Amazing Spider-Man, DuckTales, and Batman: The Animated Series.
He also worked as a director. He directed the 1971 TV movie Mooch Goes to Hollywood.
Later Career and Community
From 2009 to 2015, Erdman had a popular role as Leonard on the TV show Community. Leonard was an older community college student who often made funny, sometimes rude, comments. This role brought him new fame later in his life. His very last acting role was in 2017 in the sitcom Dr. Ken.
Personal Life
Richard Erdman married actress Leza Holland in 1948, but they divorced two years later. He then married Sharon Randall in 1953. They stayed married until her death in 2016.
They had one daughter named Erica, who was born in 1954. Sadly, Erica passed away on February 18, 2010. She was a poet and an illustrator.
Passing Away
Richard Erdman died on March 16, 2019, when he was 93 years old. He passed away in an assisted-living facility in Los Angeles, California. He had been dealing with age-related dementia and had recently had a fall.
Images for kids
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Richard Erdman in The Admiral Was a Lady (1950)
