William Schallert profile
Actor profile

William Schallert

6th July 1922 Los Angeles, California, U.S. 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.

117 Movies 186 TV Shows 316 Credits
Filmography

Movies & TV Shows

Recount poster
Recount 25th May 2008 as Justice John Paul Stevens
Harvey poster
Harvey 19th October 1996 as Judge Gaffney
Beethoven's 2nd poster
Beethoven's 2nd 14th December 1993 as Steve - M.C. at Pet & Owner Burger Binge (uncredited)
Matinee poster
Matinee 29th January 1993 as Dr. Grabow (uncredited)
Gremlins poster
Gremlins 8th June 1984 as Father Bartlett (uncredited)
Amazons poster
Amazons 29th January 1984 as Congressman Stanford Barstow
The Jerk poster
The Jerk 14th December 1979 as Judge M.A. Loring
Ike poster
Ike 3rd May 1979 as Gen. Mark Clark
Hijack! poster
Hijack! 26th September 1973 as Frank Kleiner
Escape poster
Escape 6th April 1971 as Senator Lewis Harrison
Archie poster
Archie 1st January 1964 as Fred Andrews
Blue Denim poster
Blue Denim 30th July 1959 as George - Bank Vice President (uncredited)
Cry Terror! poster
Cry Terror! 2nd May 1958 as Henderson, Bank Representative
The Raid poster
The Raid 4th August 1954 as Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Them! poster
Them! 16th June 1954 as Ambulance Attendant
Gog poster
Gog 4th June 1954 as Engle
Flat Top poster
Flat Top 26th October 1952 as Ens. Longfellow
Paula poster
Paula 15th May 1952 as Reporter
Medium poster
Medium 3rd January 2005 as J. Donald Kessinger
ER poster
ER 19th September 1994 as Mitchell Jennings
Fish Police poster
Fish Police 28th February 1992 as Additional Voices (voice)
Dinosaurs poster
Dinosaurs 26th April 1991 as Wesayso Scientist (voice)
Coach poster
Coach 28th February 1989 as Bert Wilkins
Matlock poster
Matlock 3rd March 1986 as Judge Elliot Franklin
Ike poster
Ike 3rd May 1979 as Gen. Mark Clark
CHiPs poster
CHiPs 15th September 1977 as Rev. Warmer
Switch poster
Switch 9th September 1975 as Wayne Buford
Kung Fu poster
Kung Fu 14th October 1972 as Willis Roper
Banacek poster
Banacek 13th September 1972 as Leo Osburn
Get Smart poster
Get Smart 18th September 1965 as Admiral Hargrade
Combat! poster
Combat! 2nd October 1962 as Maj. Fisher
Hazel poster
Hazel 28th September 1961 as Kemper
Thriller poster
Thriller 13th September 1960 as Prof. John MacFarland ('Friend of the Dead')
Rawhide poster
Rawhide 9th January 1959 as The Salesman
Rawhide poster
Rawhide 9th January 1959 as Lieutenant Carter
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Alben Peavy
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Capt. Grant
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Ezra Thorpe
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Jake Spence
Gunsmoke poster
Gunsmoke 10th September 1955 as Judge Ray Cordelius