Richard B. Shull

Richard Bruce Shull (February 24, 1929 – October 14, 1999) was an American character actor.

Richard B. Shull
Born
Richard Bruce Shull

(1929-02-24)February 24, 1929
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 1999(1999-10-14) (aged 70)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Years active1965–1999
Spouse(s)Margaret Ann Haddy
(14 July 1951-1956) (divorced)
Peggy Joan Barringer
(9 June 1957-1967) (divorced)
Marilyn Sandra Swartz
(6 July 1969- 1985) (divorced)
Marilyn Sandra Swartz
(remarried) (July 7, 1989 - May 15, 1997) (her death)
Deborah Thomas
(12 December 1998 - 14 October 1999) (his death)

Biography

Early life

Shull was born in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Zana Marie (née Brown), a court stenographer, and Ulysses Homer Shull, a manufacturing executive. He attended York High School (Elmhurst, Illinois) and the University of Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army before starting his Broadway career as a stage manager.

Acting career

He got his first big break as an actor when he was cast in Minnie's Boys in 1970. Additional theatre credits include Goodtime Charley (in which he sang a duet "Merci, Bon Dieu"; and for which he received Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations), Fools, The Front Page, A Flea in Her Ear, and Victor/Victoria.

Shull's screen credits include thirty movies, The Anderson Tapes (1971), Klute (1971), Slither (1973), The Fortune (1975), Splash (1984), Garbo Talks (1984), Unfaithfully Yours (1984), Housesitter (1992) and Private Parts (1997).

His television appearances included Love, American Style in episode "Love and the Locksmith", Ironside "Once More for Joey" aired 1974, Good Times "The Visitor", The Rockford Files "The Great Blue Lake", Alice "Flo's Chili Reception", where he played Mel's rival restaurant owner Barney of Barney's Burger Barn; Diana co star, Lou Grant episode "Samaratan", Hart to Hart, and Holmes & Yoyo starred as a police detective, as well as numerous television movies. He also appeared as the judge in a music video for the song "Keeping the Faith" (1984), by Billy Joel. He appeared as the delivery man in Tales from the Darkside Do Not Open This Box (1988) series 4, episode 15. In 1963 Richard became a member of the historical theater club, The Lambs, served on its council and remained a member until his death.

Writing career

As a writer, Shull wrote the 1960 play Fenton's Folly, which was adapted as Fentons völlig verrückte Erfindung (1967), an independent German movie filmed in Austria. Shull also wrote the story for the 1966 thriller movie Aroused, and co-authored, with William L. Rose, the dramatic film Pamela, Pamela You are... (1968).

Death

On October 14, 1999, Shull died of a heart attack at his home in New York City; He was 70 years old. He had been appearing in the play Epic Proportions on Broadway.[1] He was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla Westchester County, New York.[2]

Hobbies and interests

In a 2012 interview, Shull's Holmes & Yoyo co-star John Schuck remembered him as "a very funny actor and a unique man," adding that Shull "lived in the ’40s. He bought ’40s clothing, he only used pen and ink, he had his own railroad car which he would attach to trains and travel around the country. He had a 1949 Chevrolet car. I mean, he truly lived in the past. Quite remarkable."[3]

First meeting of North American Araucanian Royalist Society at the University Club, New York City, 1995. From l. to r.: Richard Shull, Daniel Paul Morrison, William Bryk.

In 1995, Shull co-founded the North American Araucanian Royalist Society (NAARS)[4] with Daniel Paul Morrison. The NAARS studies the Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia which was founded in 1860 by the Mapuche people of South America. The NAARS devoted a large portion of issue number 10 of their official journal, The Steel Crown, to the life of Shull.[5]

Shull was an invested member of The Baker Street Irregulars, the literary society dedicated to Sherlock Holmes. He received his investiture "An Actor, and a Rare One," in 1986.[6]

Shull was a member of the Players Club, the New York and the Sons of the Revolution in the State of NY.

Filmography
Films
Year Title Role Notes
1965Watch the BirdieCullen Lauterbach
1968Cargo of LoveDr. EverettUncredited
1969Decameron '69Roxanne's loverUncredited
1971B.S. I Love YouMr. HarrisAs an executive
1971The Anderson TapesWernerLong scene with Dyan Cannon and Sean Connery
1971KluteSugarmanShort scene as a policeman
1971Made for Each OtherUnnamed characterCredit: "and Richard B. Shull"
1971Such Good FriendsClarence FitchLong scene
1972Hail to the ChiefSecretary of HealthLeading role
1973SlitherHarry MossCo-starring as an embezzler
1973SssssssDr. Ken Daniels
1974CockfighterOmar BaradanskyLeading role as a business partner
1975The FortuneChief Detective Sergeant Jack Power
1975Hearts of the WestStout CrookCo-starring with Jeff Bridges
1975The Black BirdVernon Prizer
1976The Big BusEmery BushAs a dying tourist
1977The PackHardimanCo-starring role
1979DreamerGeorge TaylorThe boss
1980Wholly Moses!JethroMoses' father-in-law
1981HeartbeepsFactory Boss
1983LovesickDr. FessnerMinor role
1983Spring BreakEddieComic supporting role
1984Unfaithfully YoursJess Keller
1984SplashDr. Ross
1984Garbo TalksShepard PlatkinAs the boss
1984"Keeping the Faith"JudgeBilly Joel music video
1986Seize the DayRojoxRobin Williams' boss
1990Tune in TomorrowLeonard Pando
1992HouseSitterRalph / Bernie DuncleComic supporting role as Goldie Hawn's father
1994Trapped in ParadiseFather RitterShort scene
1995Cafe SocietySamuel SegalKey role
1997Private PartsSymphony SidShort scene as the boss
2000Two Family HouseMr. BarrancaccioAs a banker in three scenes, (posthumously released), (final film role)

References
  1. "Richard B. Shull, 70, Stage and Screen Actor". The New York Times. October 15, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  2. Wilson, Scott (August 22, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 687. ISBN 978-0786479924.
  3. "Random Roles: John Schuck". The A.V. Club. January 10, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  4. "North American Araucanian Royalist Society". www.steelcrown.org. Retrieved Apr 4, 2021.
  5. "h.2 Steel Crown - North American Araucanian Royalist Society". www.steelcrown.org. Retrieved Apr 4, 2021.
  6. "Sherlockian.Net: BSI investitures". Archived from [sherlockian.net/societies/gregory.html the original] on 2017-02-01. Retrieved Apr 4, 2021. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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