Rick Lenz

Rick Lenz (born November 21, 1939, Springfield, Illinois)[1] is an American actor, author and playwright. Lenz is known for his performances in the films Cactus Flower (1969), The Shootist (1976), and Melvin and Howard (1980).

Lenz in Cactus Flower (1969)

Early career

Lenz directed the Jackson, Michigan Civic Theater for two years before relocating to New York to seek work as an actor. In 1965 he made his Broadway debut in Mating Dance, starring Van Johnson. Though the show closed opening night, stage impresario David Merrick was in the audience, and soon afterward cast Lenz in the Broadway hit Cactus Flower as understudy for the juvenile lead role, Igor Sullivan. Lenz later took over the role and played it for a year. Film producer Mike Frankovich and Walter Matthau saw him in the part and cast him as Igor in the film version, with Goldie Hawn.

In the 1970s, Rick Lenz appeared in several Hollywood movies, including How Do I Love Thee? (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Where Does It Hurt? (1972), The Shootist (1976), The Little Dragons (1980) and Melvin and Howard (1980).

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1969Cactus FlowerIgor Sullivan
1970How Do I Love Thee?Tom Waltz
1971Scandalous JohnJimmy Whitaker
1972Where Does It Hurt?Lester Hammond
1976The ShootistDobkinsCredited as Richard Lenz
1979The Little DragonsDick Forbinger
1980Melvin and HowardLawyer
2002Home RoomBereaved Father
2002Tequila ExpressGov. Jeffries

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1968-69Green AcresBrian Williams/Young Man4 episodes
1969DocDr. OrvilleTelevision Movie
1972IronsideLarry Van BurenEpisode: Achilles Heel
1972Marcus Welby, M.D.Don MaloryEpisode: Don and Denise
1973Circle of FearDr. Stephen CrosleyEpisode: Square Parts
1973Love, American StyleMikeEpisode: Love and the Growing Romance
1971-74Owen Marshall, Counselor at LawVarious roles3 episodes
1972-74Hec RamseyChief Oliver Stamp10 episodes
1974Lucas TannerChuck LindstromEpisode: A Question of Privacy
1975Violence in BluePerformerTelevision Movie
1975Ladies of the CorridorCharles NicolsTelevision Movie
1975The Six Million Dollar ManMichael Marchetti2 episodes
1975Medical StoryDr. DonahueEpisode: A Life in the Balance
1975Police WomanNick TibbettEpisode: Pattern for Evil
1975Kate McShanePerformerEpisode: Publish or Perish
1976Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanParamedic2 episodes
1976The Bionic WomanDr. Michael Marchetti2 episodes
1977McMillan & WifeFather MathesonEpisode: Dark Sunrise
1977The Streets of San FranciscoDaveEpisode: One Last Trick
1978Fantasy IslandAdam ParksEpisode: Carnival/The Vaudevillians
1980One Day at a TimeArnold BatesEpisode: Triple Play
1980ReunionWalker HansonTelevision Movie
1980Vega$DoctorEpisode: Black Cat Killer
1981Elvis and the Beauty QueenDavid BriggsTelevision Film
1981DynastyDr. Jordan3 episodes
1981Palmerstown, U.S.A.TadEpisode: Dry Hole
1981Advise to the LovehornProf. Jonas MillerTelevision Movie
1981T.J. HookerDr. Damon SegalEpisode: God Bless the Child
1982Lou GrantSam ValentineEpisode: Blacklist
1982InsightBradEpisode: The Fiddler
1982Cagney & LaceyColton WylerEpisode: Hot Line
1982Silver SpoonsJack ThompsonEpisode: The Best Christmas Ever
1983MasqueradeNorman WeberEpisode: Diamonds
1983The Greatest American HeroDr. MorEpisode: Desperado
1984AutomanRonald TilsonEpisode: The Biggest Game in Town
1984AirwolfMosesEpisode: Proof Through the Night
1984Magnum P.I.Richard HasleyEpisode: Trans Quoc Jones
1983-1985Simon & SimonVarious Roles3 episodes
1985Malice in WonderlandIcemanTelevision Movie
1986All Is ForgivenFrancois RonningEpisode: On Air Commitment
1986You Again?PierceEpisode: Marry Me a Little
1986Falcon CrestDr. Jesset2 episodes
1987In Self DefenseChris FowlerTelevision Movie
1987The New Adventures of Beans BaxterBenjamin Baxter Sr.4 episodes
1988The Law & Harry McGrawCharlie GarrettEpisode: Marginnis for the People
1989SpoonerPerformerTelevision Movie
1990The Trials of Rosie O'NeillConwayEpisode: Mr. Right
1991Shadow of a DoubtHerbTelevision Movie
1992P.S.I. Luv UDr. Walter FlintEpisode: The Chameleon
1992FBI: The Untold StoriesBernieEpisode: Ring of Hostages
1993Perry Mason:
The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host		Nick ScanlonTelevision Movie
1987-96Murder, She WroteVarious Roles2 episodes
1996WingsJerryEpisode: What about Larry?
1997Home ImprovementDr. MatthewsEpisode: The Flirting Game
1997BaywatchDr. GoldEpisode: Heal the Bay
2001Strong MedicineJoe TuckerEpisode: Drugstore Cowgirl
2003The PracticeAirline RepresentativeEpisode: The Heat of Passion
2012Treelore TheatreLonny/Mack2 episodes

Theatre
Year Title Role Venue
1965Mating DanceJeffEugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway
1965-68Cactus FlowerIgorRoyale Theatre, Broadway

Personal life

As of 2017, Lenz resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Linda; the couple married in May 1982.[2] He has three children; sons Scott and Charlie, and daughter, Abigail.[2]

References
  1. "Rick Lenz: Performer". Internet Broadway Database (The Broadway League). Retrieved January 28, 2019.
  2. Jennings, Zeke (April 26, 2012). "Jackson-raised actor Rick Lenz gives insight to Hollywood in very personal memoir". MLive.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2016. My wife and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary next month [May 2012].
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