William Schallert
Known for: Acting
William Joseph Schallert (July 6, 1922 – May 8, 2016) was an American character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows and films over a career spanning more than 60 years. He is known for his roles on Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957–1959), Death Valley Days (1955–1962), and The Patty Duke Show (1963–1966). Schallert was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edwin Francis Schallert, a longtime drama critic for the Los Angeles Times, and Elza Emily Schallert (née Baumgarten), a magazine writer and radio host. He began acting while a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but left to become an Army Air Corps fighter pilot in World War II. He returned to UCLA after the war and graduated in 1946. After graduating from UCLA, Schallert began his acting career in the theater. He appeared in several productions at the Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, including a staging of W. Somerset Maugham's Rain in 1948, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin. Schallert made his television debut in 1951, and he quickly became a familiar face on the small screen. He appeared in numerous guest roles on shows such as The Adventures of Superman, The Twilight Zone, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He also had recurring roles on The Patty Duke Show, The Nancy Drew Mysteries, and The Torkelsons. In addition to his work on television, Schallert also appeared in several films, including The Bridges of Toko-Ri (1954), The Apartment (1960), and The Sting (1973). Schallert died in Pacific Palisades, California, in 2016, at the age of 93. He was survived by his wife, Leah Waggner, and their four children.
Filmography
Series
Desperate Housewives
Ken
2004
Series
Perry Mason
Graves
1957
Series
Perry Mason
Dr. Bradbury
1957
Series
Perry Mason
Len Dykes
1957
Series
How I Met Your Mother
Brady
2005
Series
Lassie
1954
Series
Star Trek
Nilz Baris
1966
Series
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Varani
1993
Series
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Nilz Baris
1993
Series
ER
Mitchell Jennings
1994
Series
Melrose Place
Dr. Curtis
1992
Series
Little House on the Prairie
Snell
1974
Series
Little House on the Prairie
Dean Russell Harmon
1974
Series
The Andy Griffith Show
Sam Becker
1960
Series
Coach
Bert Wilkins
1989
Series
True Blood
Maire Norris
2008
Series
True Blood
Mayor Norris
2008
Series
Ironside
1967
Series
Quantum Leap
Judge Eugene Haller
1989
Series
The Rifleman
1958
Series
The Rifleman
Joe Lovering
1958
Series
Medium
J. Donald Kessinger
2005
Series
Magnum, P.I.
Bob
1980
Series
Bewitched
Dr. Anton
1964
Series
Hawaii Five-O
Defense Counsel Herbert
1968
Series
Hawaii Five-O
Craig Wilkie
1968
Series
Matinee Theater
1955
Series
Wagon Train
Miles Van Vander
1957
Series
Maverick
1957
Series
Mission: Impossible
Dr. Harrison Selby
1966
Series
The Waltons
1972
Series
The Twilight Zone
Policeman
1959
Series
The Virginian
Harry Foley
1962
Series
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Mr. Kirk
1961
Series
The Wild Wild West
Rufus Kraus
1965
Series
The Wild Wild West
Silas Grigsby
1965
Series
The Wild Wild West
Frank Harper
1965
Series
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Al
1993
Series
St. Elsewhere
Olan Standley
1982
Series
Get Smart
Admiral Hargrade
1965
Series
Get Smart
Earl Kibbee
1965
Series
The Lucy Show
Mr. Cresant
1962
Series
Matlock
Judge Elliot Franklin
1986
Series
Have Gun, Will Travel
1957
Series
Have Gun, Will Travel
Cavalry Corporal
1957
Series
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
Pete
1950
Series
My Name Is Earl
Dr. Rudin
2005
Series
The Six Million Dollar Man
Lorin Sandusky
1974
Series
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Yarbrough
1956
Series
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Tom Baird
1956
Series
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
John Scott
1956
Series
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Tom
1956
Series
Dr. Kildare
Inspector
1961
Series
Dr. Kildare
Tom Scola
1961
Series
Simon & Simon
1981
Series
Rawhide
The Salesman
1959
Series
Rawhide
Lt. Hill
1959
Series
Rawhide
Lieutenant Carter
1959
Series
Murphy Brown
Ken Hamilton
1988
Series
Climax!
David
1954
Series
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
David
2005
Series
Hotel
1982
Series
Lawman
1958
Series
Leave It to Beaver
Mr. Bloomgarden
1957
Series
The Untouchables
Edward Garth
1959
Series
The Twilight Zone
(segment "Shadow Play")
1985
Series
Highway to Heaven
1984
Series
Four Star Playhouse
Airline Clerk
1952
Series
Four Star Playhouse
Johnson
1952
Series
Peter Gunn
1958
Series
Gunsmoke
Eben Hakes
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Alben Peavy
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Capt. Grant
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Jess
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Ezra Thorpe
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Jake Spence
1955
Series
Gunsmoke
Judge Ray Cordelius
1955
Series
Dinosaurs
Wesayso Scientist (voice)
1991
Series
Combat!
Maj. Fisher
1962
Series
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Hotel Clerk
1958
Series
Wanted: Dead or Alive
James Hendricks
1958
Series
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Craig the Bartender
1958
Series
Wanted: Dead or Alive
Link Damon
1958
Series
Barnaby Jones
Mr. Freels
1973
Series
The F.B.I.
Paul Ganz
1965
Series
The F.B.I.
Ed Crawford
1965
Series
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
Professor Pomfrit (voice)
2002
Series
What's New, Scooby-Doo?
Farmer P. / Neville Popenbacher (voice)
2002
Series
Thriller
Prof. John MacFarland ('Friend of the Dead')
1960
Series
Pacific Blue
Walter
1996
Series
The Bionic Woman
1976
Series
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
1983
Series
Lou Grant
Larry Hill
1977
Series
Lou Grant
Mark Worth
1977
Series
North and South
Gen. Robert E. Lee
1985
Series
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Brian Cullen
1969
Series
Bat Masterson
Dr. Harold Dunsmore
1958
Series
Bat Masterson
George Winston
1958
Series
Room 222
1969
Series
The Partridge Family
Red Woodloe
1970
Series
Close to Home
Harold Jensen
2005
Series
The Angry Beavers
1997
Series
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959
Series
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Prof. Leander Pomfritt
1959
Series
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Mr. Leander Pomfritt
1959
Series
One Step Beyond
Doctor Sanders
1959
Series
One Step Beyond
Lenny
1959
Series
Family Law
Manager
1999
Series
That Girl
1966
Series
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Lt. Gunderson
1955
Series
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Johnny Prescott (uncredited)
1957
Series
Richard Diamond, Private Detective
Charlie Kane
1957
Series
Matt Houston
1982
Series
Sugarfoot
Cole
1957
Series
Hazel
Kemper
1961
Series
Surfside 6
Marty Kemp
1960
Series
77 Sunset Strip
1958
Series
77 Sunset Strip
Steve Alexander
1958
Series
Land of the Giants
Dr. Arno
1968
Series
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
Carson Drew
1977
Series
The Rebel
Charles Ashbaugh
1959
Series
The Ford Television Theatre
Union Official
1952
Series
Sea Hunt
1958
Series
Switch
Wayne Buford
1975
Film
Singin' in the Rain
Messenger on Screen (uncredited)
1952
Series
The Texan
1958
Series
Police Story
1973
Film
Gremlins
Father Bartlett (uncredited)
1984
Series
Dream On
Judith's Father
1990
Series
Stoney Burke
1962
Series
The Guns of Will Sonnett
Lawyer
1967
Series
The Mod Squad
1968
Series
The Patty Duke Show
Martin Lane
1963
Series
Ellery Queen
1975
Series
Judd, for the Defense
1967
Series
Son of the Beach
2000
Series
War and Remembrance
Harry Hopkins
1988
Series
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Lt. Barnes
1959
Series
The Zeta Project
2001
Series
CHiPs
Rev. Warmer
1977
Series
The Adventures of Jim Bowie
1956
Series
Banacek
Leo Osburn
1972
Series
The Rat Patrol
Dr. Schneidermann
1966
Series
Johnny Ringo
Mr. Ferris
1959
Series
Johnny Ringo
Bogan
1959
Series
Black Saddle
Chet Mallet
1959
Series
The New Breed
Gilbert Condon
1961
Series
87th Precinct
1961
Series
Sam Benedict
Neil Carlson
1962
Series
Rebel Highway
Judge Patrick Eugene Boone
1994
Series
The Torkelsons
Wesley "Boarder" Hodges
1991
CBS Playhouse
Mr. Meridian
1966
Lux Video Theatre
Sam Carter
1950
Lux Video Theatre
Ferguson
1950
Lux Video Theatre
Thompson
1950
Lux Video Theatre
Hall
1950
Film
Innerspace
Dr. Greenbush
1987
Series
Lock-Up
1959
Series
The Manhunter
1974
Film
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Father
1983
Film
In the Heat of the Night
Mayor Schubert
1967
Series
Mr. & Mrs. North
1952
Series
Here Come the Brides
1968
Series
Stagecoach West
Aeneas Longbridge
1960
Series
Pistols 'n' Petticoats
1966
Series
Ensign O'Toole
Douglas Harper
1962
Series
The Lloyd Bridges Show
The Ballad Singer
1962
Series
The Whistler
1954
Series
Gunslinger
Lieutenant Gilmore
1961
Series
Steve Canyon
Major Karl Richmond
1958
Film
Beethoven's 2nd
Steve - M.C. at Pet & Owner Burger Binge (uncredited)
1993
Series
A Year in the Life
Larry
1987
Series
Coronado 9
Alfred Bates
1960
Series
Philip Marlowe
1959
Series
The Deep End
Hal Douglas
2010
Series
Wichita Town
1959
Series
The New Gidget
Russ Lawrence
1986
Film
Them!
Ambulance Attendant
1954
Film
The Jerk
Judge M.A. Loring
1979
Series
Bag of Bones
Max Devore
2011
Film
Green Lantern: First Flight
Appa Ali Apsa (voice)
2009
Film
Pillow Talk
Hotel Clerk
1959
Series
All's Fair
1976
The Debbie Reynolds Show
1969
Series
Blind Ambition
Herbert Kalmbach
1979
Film
Ike
Gen. Mark Clark
1979
Series
The Duck Factory
Skip's Father
1984
Series
Ike
Gen. Mark Clark
1979
Film
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Doctor Arthur Bramson
1957
Series
Letter to Loretta
Roy Smith
1953
Series
Death Valley Days
Ellis Higby
1952
Series
Death Valley Days
Dave Meiser
1952
Film
Will Penny
Dr. Fraker
1967
Series
Fish Police
Additional Voices (voice)
1992
Film
Mighty Joe Young
Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
1949
Series
The Good Life
Judge Milligan
1994
Series
Delphi Bureau
Maury Stapleton
1972
Series
Cross of Fire
Reverend
1989
Film
Charley Varrick
Bill Horton
1973
Film
The Strongest Man in the World
Prof. Quigley
1975
Film
The High and the Mighty
Dispatcher
1954
Film
Lonely are the Brave
Harry
1962
Film
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
Professor Quigley
1969
Film
Friendly Persuasion
Young Husband (uncredited)
1956
Film
Colossus: The Forbin Project
CIA Director Grauber
1970
Film
The Lone Ranger
Clive - Secretary (uncredited)
1956
Film
Written on the Wind
Reporter
1956
Film
Matinee
Dr. Grabow (uncredited)
1993
Series
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dr. Janeway
1951
Film
Teachers
Horn
1984
Film
Some Came Running
Al (Jewelry Store Clerk) (uncredited)
1958
Series
Little Women
Jonathan March
1978
Series
The Nancy Walker Show
Teddy Futterman
1976
Film
House Party 2
Dean Kramer
1991
Film
Hour of the Gun
Judge Herman Spicer
1967
Film
Paula
Reporter
1952
Series
General Electric Theater
Red Myers
1953
The Man and the City
1971
Grandpa Goes to Washington
1978
Series
Funny Face
1971
Film
Shotgun Wedding
Preacher Parsons
1963
Film
Recount
Justice John Paul Stevens
2008
Film
Sam Whiskey
Mr. Perkins
1969
Film
Torpedo Run
Captain of the Bluefin
1958
Film
The Gallant Hours
1960
Film
The Gallant Hours
Thomas G. Lamphier Jr.
1960
Series
Legends of the Superheroes
Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone
1979
Film
Speedway
Abel Esterlake
1968
Forbidden Area
TV Announcer
1956
Film
Tail Gunner Joe
Gen. Zwicker
1977
Film
Day of the Outlaw
1959
Film
Raw Edge
Missionary
1956
Film
The Red Badge of Courage
Union Soldier (uncredited)
1951
Film
Remember When
Dick Hodges
1974
Film
Hangar 18
Professor Mills
1980
Film
The Second Civil War
Secretary of Defense
1997
Film
The Monolith Monsters
Weatherman
1957
Film
The Reckless Moment
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
1949
Film
The People Against O'Hara
Intern with Ambulance (uncredited)
1951
Film
Riot in Cell Block 11
Reporter
1954
Series
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Ted Richards
1955
Film
The Raid
Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
1954
Harvey
Judge Gaffney
1999
Film
The Tattered Dress
Court Clerk
1957
Film
Escape
Senator Lewis Harrison
1971
Film
Man on Fire
Charles (uncredited)
1957
Film
A Century of Science Fiction
Self
1996
Film
The Tarnished Angels
Ted Baker
1957
Film
Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen
Self
2004
Film
Black Tuesday
Collins (uncredited)
1954
Film
Cry Terror!
Henderson, Bank Representative
1958
Film
Shield for Murder
Asst. Dist. Atty. Andy Tucker
1954
Film
Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway
Harry
1976
Film
The Beat Generation
Father Dinelli
1959
Film
Man in the Shadow
Jim Shaney
1957
Film
The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy
Willem (voice)
1987
Film
Smoke Signal
Private Livingston
1955
Film
Bannerline
Cass
1951
Film
Sex, Shock & Censorship in the 90's
Judge
1993
Film
Hoodlum Empire
Inquiry Clerk
1952
Film
The Man from Planet X
Dr. Mears
1951
Film
Tunnel Vision
Francis X. Cody
1976
Film
Amazons
Congressman Stanford Barstow
1984
Film
Gunslinger
Marshal Scott Hood
1956
Film
Down Three Dark Streets
Ben
1954
Alcatraz Express
1961
Film
Gog
Engle
1954
Film
Archie
Fred Andrews
1964
Film
Grace Kelly
Father Tucker
1983
Film
Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love
Sheriff
1991
Film
The Incident
Wallace
1990
Film
Legends of the Super Heroes
Retired Man
1979
Film
Doomsday Chronicles
Host
1979
Film
Bobby Ware Is Missing
Police Radio Dispatcher (uncredited)
1955
Film
Top of the World
Harding
1955
Film
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine
Judge
1972
Film
Under the Influence
Cade
1986
Film
The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights
Martin Lane
1999
Film
Tobor the Great
Johnston - a Reporter
1954
Film
The Stableboy's Christmas
The Innkeeper
1978
Film
Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
Self
2021
Film
Philbert (Three's a Crowd)
Griff M.
1963
Film
Gidget's Summer Reunion
Russ Lawrence
1985
Film
Death Sentence
Tanner
1974
Film
The Girl in the Kremlin
Jacob Stalin
1957
Sweetzer
Barnaby
2007
Film
Through Naked Eyes
Terry Parrish
1983
Series
Kung Fu
Willis Roper
1972
Film
Shake, Rattle and Rock!
Judge Boone
1994
Film
Harvey
Judge Gaffney
1996
Film
Blue Denim
George - Bank Vice President (uncredited)
1959
Film
Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl
Priest (uncredited)
1954
Film
To Dance with Olivia
Judge Shelton
1997
Film
Flat Top
Ens. Longfellow
1952
Film
Massacre at Sand Creek
Defense Attorney
1956
Film
Rose of Cimarron
Gold Bullion Guard
1952
Film
Confessions of the D.A. Man
1978
Film
Man on a String
William Connaught
1972
Film
Circle of the Day
Reporter
1957
Film
Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis
Mr. Pomfritt
1988
Film
Lonely Heart Bandits
Dave Clark
1950
Film
Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin Story
Landrum Bolling
1991
Film
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Ted Richards
1953
Film
The Jazz Singer
Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
1953
Film
Port Sinister
Collins
1953
Film
Partners in Crime
Oscar
1973
Film
Hijack!
Frank Kleiner
1973
Doctor Jim
George Brant
1947
Film
Storm Over Tibet
Aylen
1952
Film
Hell's Horizon
Capt. Ben Morgan
1955
Film
Promise Him Anything
Silver
1975
Film
Captive Women
Carver, the Mutate traitor
1952
Film
Monster Madness: Mutants, Space Invaders, and Drive-Ins
Self
2014
Film
Sword of Venus
Valmont
1953
Film
Paradise Alley
Jack Williams
1962
Film
The Hired Man
Mr. Clay
1957