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Richard Schaal
Richard Schaal Phyllis 1976.jpg
Schaal in 1975
Born (1928-05-05)May 5, 1928
Chicago, Illinois, US
Died November 4, 2014(2014-11-04) (aged 86)
Los Angeles, California, US
Occupation Actor
Spouse(s)
  • Lois Treacy
    (divorced)
(m. 1964; div. 1978)
Tasha Brittain
(m. 1980; div. 1989)
Children Wendy Schaal

Richard Schaal (born May 5, 1928 – died November 4, 2014) was an American actor. He was known for his work in movies and on television. Richard was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Becoming an Actor

In 1962, Richard Schaal joined a famous comedy group in Chicago called The Second City. This group was well-known for its funny sketches and improv shows. Improv is when actors make up scenes and characters on the spot! Richard became very good at this kind of comedy.

He appeared in many popular TV shows in the 1970s. On The Mary Tyler Moore Show, he played several different characters. These included Howard Arnell and even a funny character named Chuckles the Clown. He also played different roles on The Bob Newhart Show.

Richard Schaal was a regular on the TV show Phyllis. He played the character Leo Heatherton in 23 episodes. He also worked with his wife at the time, actress Valerie Harper, on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda. His very first TV appearance with Mary Tyler Moore was in 1966 on The Dick Van Dyke Show. In 1983, he had a repeating role in the show Just Our Luck.

About His Life

Richard Schaal was born on May 5, 1928, in Chicago. His father, Victor Cornelius Schaal, worked as a machinist. His mother, Margaret Schaal, was a telephone operator.

Richard was married three times. His first wife was Lois Treacy. His second wife was actress Valerie Harper. His third wife was Tasha Brittain. With Lois Treacy, he had one child, who is also an American actress named Wendy Schaal.

Richard Schaal passed away on November 4, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. He was 86 years old. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Movies and TV Shows

Richard Schaal acted in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of them:

Movies

Year Title Role
1966 The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming Oscar Maxwell
1969 The Virgin President Hugh Mugababy
1969 The Cube The Man in the Cube
1972 Slaughterhouse-Five Howard W. Campbell Jr.
1973 Steelyard Blues Zoo Official Mel
1974 A Knife for the Ladies Ainalls
1979 Americathon Jerry
1980 The Hollywood Knights Nevans
1982 O'Hara's Wife Jerry Brad
1985 Once Bitten Mr. Kendall

TV Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1966 The Dick Van Dyke Show Stevie Parsons Episode: "Dear Sally Rogers" (as Dick Schall)
1967 That Girl Lost & Found Man Episode: "Gone with the Breeze" (as Dick Schall)
1969 I Dream of Jeannie Marvin Oglethorpe Episode: "Jeannie and the Secret Weapon" (as Dick Schaal)
1970 The Mary Tyler Moore Show various, including Chuckles the Clown 4 episodes
1973 The Partridge Family Michaelangelo Rezo Episode: "Me and My Shadow"
1974 The Rockford Files Leonard Blair Ep: "Caledonia,It's Worth a Fortune!"
1975–1976 Phyllis Leo Heatherton Main cast (season 1)
1983 Just Our Luck Chuck Main cast
1988–1989 Almost Grown Dick Long Main cast
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