Dick Cusack

Richard John Cusack[1] (August 29, 1925 – June 2, 2003) was an American actor, filmmaker, and documentarist.

Dick Cusack
Born
Richard John Cusack

(1925-08-29)August 29, 1925
New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 2, 2003(2003-06-02) (aged 77)
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
EducationCollege of the Holy Cross (BA)
Occupation(s)Actor, filmmaker, documentarist
Years active1970–2003
Spouse
Nancy Cusack
​
(m. 1960)​
Children5, including Ann, Joan, and John

Personal life

Cusack was born in New York City, the son of Margaret Cusack (née McFeeley) and Dennis Joseph Cusack.[2] His family was of Irish Catholic background.[3][4] He served with the U.S. Army in the Philippines in World War II. After the war Cusack attended College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he played basketball with Bob Cousy and roomed with Philip F. Berrigan, the peace activist.[1][5][6]

Cusack and his wife, Ann Paula "Nancy" (née Carolan; 1929-2022),[2][7] had five children: Ann Cusack, Joan Cusack, Bill Cusack, John Cusack and Susie Cusack, all of whom followed him into the acting profession.[6] Circa 1963-1966, the Cusack family moved from New York City to Evanston, Illinois, where the five children grew up.

Career

Until 1970 Cusack worked as a Clio Award-winning advertising executive.

He then pursued a career as a film actor, beginning with minor roles. Most of his acting roles were playing authority figures, such as a United States Senate Chairman, minister/chaplain, and U.S. Secretary of State; he played a judge in the TV movie Overexposed, and in theatrical releases Things Change and Eight Men Out.

Cusack was a documentary filmmaker.[8] His 1971 abortion documentary The Committee won an Emmy Award. He also owned a film production company.

He was honored with an award from the Evanston Arts Council for preserving a school and converting it into the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, which houses the Piven Theatre Workshop where his famous acting children trained. Two weeks prior to his death, he completed the final draft of a play to memorialize his former college roommate entitled, Backoff Barkman, which was produced posthumously in the Midwest.

Death

Dick Cusack died on June 2, 2003, in Evanston, Illinois, from pancreatic cancer, aged 77.[6]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1980 My Bodyguard Principal
1983 Class Chaplain Baker
1984 The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck Unknown Television film
1988 Eight Men Out Judge Friend
1988 Things Change Judge
1989 The Package Secretary of State
1990 Crazy People Mort
1992 Overexposed Judge Television film
1993 The Fugitive Attorney Walter Gutherie
1995 While You Were Sleeping Doctor Rubin
1996 Evil Has a Face Lester Television film
1996 Chain Reaction Senate Chairman
1999 The Jack Bull Jury Foreman Television film
2000 High Fidelity Minister
2000 Return to Me Mr. Bennington (final film role)

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Missing Persons Champion Episode: "If You Could Pick Your Own Parents..."
1987 Sable Mahoney Episode: "Watchdogs"
1997 Early Edition Elderly Man Episode: "The Wall: Part 2"

Awards
Year Award Result Notes
2000 Commitment to Chicago Award Won Shared with his wife and children

References
  1. Martin, Douglas, "Dick Cusack, Playwright, 77, And an Actor", The New York Times, June 04, 2003
  2. "Miss Carolan, Newton Centre, Is Bride of Richard Cusack". Daily Boston Globe. NY Times Co. February 14, 1960. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2019 – via ProQuest Archiver.
  3. "About a boy". Irish Times. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  4. Fanning, Evan (November 28, 2012). "Quiet man Cusack boards the ark". Irish Independent. INM Website. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. O'Donnell, Paul. "Actor John Cusack on Hitler, politics and his movie 'Max'". Beliefnet.com. p. 3. Archived from the original on 2 February 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  6. Mark Caro (3 June 2003). "Obituary: Richard Cusack, 77 - Ad man, playwright who led acting clan". Chicago Tribune.
  7. "Newton Girl Plans February Wedding". Daily Boston Globe. NY Times Co. December 6, 1959. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2019 – via ProQuest Archiver.
  8. "Being John Cusack". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. 1 July 2000. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
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