It could be that Richard Stahl was that kind of character actor whom many knew when they saw him, but never knew his name. I find that hard to believe as I know the first time I ever saw him in anything, I made sure I found out who he was. (I'm a great fan of character actors.)
That probably happened with an episode of 'The Odd Couple'; he appeared in about nine of them.
He had this dry delivery, almost a monotone, that always seemed to imply that he was disdainful of all around him. And many of his best characters held this attitude like a weapon, especially when found behind a position of power like a desk or a business counter.
Richard Stahl passed away last Sunday at the age of 74, after a ten year battle with Parkinson's disease. The news was released by his wife, Katherine Ish, an actress whom he married in 1959. The two of them joined the San Francisco improv group "The Committee" during the 1960s.
My personal favorite memory of his many roles in Toobworld would be that of Brother Ralph in an episode of 'The Odd Couple', when Felix and Oscar spent a weekend retreat in a monastery.
TV SERIES
"It's a Living" (1985) TV Series .... Howard Miller
"Struck by Lightning" (1979) TV Series .... Walt Calvin
"Turnabout" (1979) TV Series .... Jack Overmeyer
RECURRING ROLES
"The Tom Show" - Vice Principal Koontz
- The Centerfold (1998) TV Episode
- Kenlon's New Clothes (1997) TV Episode
"Empty Nest" - Fred Dietz
- Love a la Mode (1994) TV Episode
- The Unimportance of Being Charley (1992) TV Episode
"Harry O" - Dr. Samuelson
- Death Certificate (1976) TV Episode
- The Mysterious Case of Lester and Dr. Fong (1976) TV Episode
- APB Harry Orwell (1975) TV Episode
- Tender Killing Care (1975) TV Episode
TV MINI-SERIES
The President's Plane Is Missing (1973) (TV) .... Dentist
TV MOVIES
Hi Honey - I'm Dead (1991) (TV)
Cindy (1978) (TV) (uncredited) .... Recruiter
The Death of Richie (1977) (TV) .... Arthur Edmunds
Good Against Evil (1977) (TV) .... Brown
The Boys (1974) (TV) .... Dr. Ferguson
Honky Tonk (1974) (TV) .... Mr. Arnold
Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest (1974) .... Richard 'Dick' Estabrook
Lisa, Bright and Dark (1973) (TV)
Savage (1973) (TV) .... Photographer
Thief (1971) (TV) .... Bob Rifleman
Sheriff Who (1967) (TV) (as Dick Stahl) .... Whittler
TV PILOT MOVIES
Rosetti and Ryan: Men Who Love Women (1977) (TV) .... Medical Examiner
The Love Boat (1976) (TV) .... Danny DiMarco, the Lounge Performer
GUEST APPEARANCES
"Hudson Street"
- The Retreat (1996) TV Episode .... Mr. Spoon
"Platypus Man"
- 9 1/2 Days (1995) TV Episode .... Priest
"Diagnosis Murder"
- A Very Fatal Funeral (1994) TV Episode .... Preacher
"Married with Children"
- Shoeway to Heaven (1994) TV Episode .... Shoemaker
"Empty Nest"
- The Fracas in Vegas (1993) TV Episode .... Bellman
"Living Single"
- Full Court Press (1993) TV Episode .... Judge Richard Patterson
"The Golden Girls"
- That's for Me to Know (1991) TV Episode .... Don
"Good Grief"
- The Big Bang Theory (1991) TV Episode .... District Attorney
- Cub Scouts and Horses & Whiskers on Kittens (1990) TV Episode .... Chief Boom Boom
"Night Court"
- Attack of the Mac Snacks (1989) TV Episode .... Uncle Floyd
- Santa Goes Downtown (1984) TV Episode .... Doctor Peter Green
"Murder, She Wrote"
- If a Body Meet a Body (1986) TV Episode .... Rev. Matthews
"You Again?"
- Small Change (1986) TV Episode .... Mr. Wilson
"Newhart"
- What Makes Dick Run (1985) TV Episode
- You're Nobody 'til Somebody Hires You (1985) TV Episode .... Len
- Kirk Pops the Question (1984) TV Episode .... Waiter
"Highway to Heaven"
- The Banker and the Bum (1985) TV Episode .... Mr. Fisk
"Who's the Boss?"
- Protecting the President (1985) TV Episode .... Mr. McKenna
"Family Ties"
- Auntie Up (1985) TV Episode .... Stu Devin
"The Facts of Life"
- Summer of '84 (1984) TV Episode .... Drunk
"Hill Street Blues"
- Nichols from Heaven (1984) TV Episode .... James Thaddeus
"Archie Bunker's Place"
- From the Waldorf to Astoria (1982) TV Episode .... Mr. Sanborn
"Laverne & Shirley"
- The Mummy's Bride (1982) TV Episode .... The Chaplain
- The Right to Light (1980) TV Episode .... Clerk
- Anniversary Show (1977) TV Episode .... Marshall Stewart in flashbacks
- The Society Party (1976) TV Episode .... Marshall Stewart
"Barney Miller"
- Obituary (1982) TV Episode .... Lund
- The Indian (1979) TV Episode .... Philip Owens
- Snow Job (1975) TV Episode
"Love, Sidney"
- Laurie's First Date, A.D. (1982) TV Episode
"House Calls"
- Bombing Out (1981) TV Episode
- Beast of Kensington (1980) TV Episode
"Benson"
- Bugging the Governor (1980) TV Episode .... Miles Gordon
"What's Happening!!"
- Food Poisoning (1979) TV Episode .... Doctor
"Soap"
- Episode #2.14 (1979) TV Episode .... Officer Hickey
"WKRP in Cincinnati"
- Pilot: Part 2 (1978) TV Episode .... Wayne R. Coe
"James at 15"
- Unrequited Love... Twice (1978) TV Episode .... Mr. Oberlander
"The Bob Newhart Show"
- A Day in the Life (1977) TV Episode .... Mel
- The Separation Story (1974) TV Episode .... Bellboy
"McMillan and Wife"
- All Bets Off (1976) TV Episode .... Desk Clerk
"Happy Days"
- Fonzie the Salesman (1975) TV Episode .... Berkeley 'Bronco' Van Alden
"The Rookies"
- A Time to Mourn (1975) TV Episode .... Quinlan
"On the Rocks"
- Pilot (1975) TV Episode .... Doctor
"That's My Mama"
- The Ambulance Chaser (1975) TV Episode .... Mr. Barr
"Maude"
- The Telethon (1975) TV Episode .... Ray Moser
"The Odd Couple"
I Do, I Don't (5 November 1970) - The Minister
Engrave Trouble (5 February 1971) - Flourist
Murray the Fink (29 October 1971) - Cop
Being Divorced Is Never Having to Say I Do (10 December 1971) - Minister
Odd Monks (13 October 1972) - Brother Ralph
That is the Army Mrs. Madison (26 October 1973) - Justice of the peace
Cleanliness Is Next to Impossible (11 January 1974) - Dr. Bates
The Frog (26 September 1974) - Buck
Oscar's in Love (12 December 1974) - Minister
"Good Times"
- The Gang: Part 2 (1974) TV Episode .... Judge Daniels
"All in the Family"
- Archie Eats and Runs (1974) TV Episode .... Doctor
- Archie's Aching Back (1971) TV Episode .... Clarence V. Marshall
Columbo: Double Exposure (1973) (TV) .... Ballistics man
"Shaft"
- The Kidnapping (1973) TV Episode .... Father
"Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice"
- The Bare Truth Hurts (1973) TV Episode .... Wendell
Columbo: Lovely But Lethal (1973) (TV) (as Dick Stahl) .... Burton
Columbo: The Most Crucial Game (1972) (TV) .... Mr. Fremont
"Search"
- The Murrow Disappearance (1972) TV Episode .... Dr. Behrens
"Bonanza"
- A Visit to Upright (1972) TV Episode .... Snedaker
- The Big Jackpot (1970) TV Episode .... Howard Fiber
"Love, American Style"
- Love and the Advice Column/Love and the Bathtub/Love and the Fullback/Love and the Guru/Love and the Physical (1972) TV Episode .... (segment "Love and the Bathtub")
"The Partridge Family"
- Fellini, Bergman, and Partridge (1972) TV Episode (as Dick Stahl) .... Fenster
"That Girl"
- Hearing Today, Gone Tomorrow (1969) TV Episode .... Director
"Hey, Landlord"
- The Daring Duo vs. the Incredible Captain Kill (1966) TV Episode .... Swacky
BCnU....
Tele-Toby
[Thanks to the IMDb.com]
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