Richard Dimitri (Bertram/Renaldo) 1942 - 2025

[Zoneboy]

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries...ry?id=60473042

June 27, 1942 - December 18, 2025 Richard Dimitri, writer, actor, art and antiques dealer, died on December 18 after a decades-long battle with heart and lung illnesses. He died in Los Angeles with his wife, Christianne, at his side. He was 83.

Of Assyrian descent, he was born in Yonkers, New York, on June 27, 1942, the second son of Mary Eshoo (Joseph) and Jacob Manuel. His father abandoned the family when Richard was a toddler. Raised by his mother and maternal grandfather, his mother struggled to provide for the family. Richard often remarked, "She tried the best she could. I never did not feel her love for me." He attended Yonkers High School, after which he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1962.

Richard made his New York debut as Bashir in the 1963 Off-Broadway revival of "The Immoralist." He went on to perform on Broadway as Pavli in "Zorba," Muthu in "The Guide," and Kinesias in "Lysistrata" with Melina Mercouri.

In 1973, he began to teach acting at Queen's College, The City University of New York. He loved to mentor and inspire his students, many of whom kept in touch with him for years.
Richard possessed an operatic tenor voice. While on vacation in Salzburg, Austria, he had an opportunity to audition for a representative of the Vienna State Opera. He was told that, with further study, a career in opera was in his future. He then faced an agonizing choice. He loved opera but decided to continue to pursue his acting career.

In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles after being cast in the dual roles of the twins, Bertram and Renaldo, in the television series, "When Things Were Rotten." He went on to guest star in numerous television shows including "Hawaii Five-O," "Seventh Avenue," and "The Tracey Ullman Show."
Film roles included Moronie in "Johnny Dangerously" and Tony Cheeseburger in "Let It Ride."

In addition to his acting career he developed an interest in writing. Almost immediately, he was contracted by studios and producers to write TV pilots and movie scripts. On the side, he performed stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and other comedy venues.

In 1998, serious chronic-health conditions necessitated his early retirement from the entertainment industry. His deep love and self-taught knowledge of Art led him to launch a career as an Art and Antiques dealer. A passionate collector himself, he was soon established as a private dealer and advisor, eventually opening a gallery, Engs-Dimitri Works of Art, on La Cienega Blvd., with his wife, Christianne Engs. Under his direction, the gallery developed a reputation for discovering fine sculpture. One notable sale was to The Getty Museum. It was John Deare's 1787 masterpiece, "Venus Reclining on a Sea Monster with Cupid and a Putto."

Throughout his life, Richard touched many people with his talent, brilliant sense of humor, unique perspective, honesty and intellect. But it was his role as a valued father and husband, who surrounded his family with warmth and security, that was the most important and rewarding of his life. It was that which brought him his greatest joy.

Predeceased by a beloved son, John W. Dimitri,
he is survived by his wife of 26 years, Christianne.

A private interment will take place on January 15. It is the family's wish that donations in his memory be directed to:
The John Dimitri Research Foundation for Congenital Heart Disease, 9903 Santa Monica Blvd., # 3400, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; https://johndimitriheartfoundation.org