'Laverne and Shirley' Actor Richard Stahl Dies at 74 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-22-2006, 11:13 AM

'Laverne and Shirley' Actor Richard Stahl Dies at 74

Richard Stahl, an actor whose more than 40-year career stretched from New York theater to film and television comedies such as "Laverne and Shirley," has died. He was 74.

Stahl died Sunday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's health center in Woodland Hills after a 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease, his wife, actress Kathryn Ish, said Wednesday.

"He had been declining for some time now," she said.

Born in Detroit, Stahl did magic tricks as a boy and moved to California as a performer at age 15, Ish said. He served in the Army during the Korean War, later graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Ish and Stahl were both off Broadway theater actors when they met in 1959. They married later that year.

In the 1960s, the pair moved to San Francisco and joined improv comedy group The Committee, Ish said. They settled in Santa Barbara in 1975.

Stahl's film credits include 1979's "Five Easy Pieces," Mel Brooks' 1977 spoof "High Anxiety," 1980's "9 to 5" and 1996's "Ghosts of Mississippi."

He appeared on such TV shows as "Laverne and Shirley," "The Odd Couple," and "Barney Miller," and held a regular stint on 1980s sitcom "It's A Living."

"He was a funny guy, he worked in comedy all his life," Ish said.

Stahl is survived by Ish, their daughter Allegra and son Oliver.

Janice · 06-22-2006, 11:15 AM

dlemond · 06-22-2006, 11:19 AM

I loved Richard Stahl!

The Odd Couple is where I know him from originally.
he played a bunch of different roles on the show.

And of course on my beloved WKRP he was in Pilot, pt 2.

What a great character actor.

Rest in peace.

dandelion wine · 06-22-2006, 02:13 PM

May he rest in peace.

LucyCompanyPhan · 06-22-2006, 03:50 PM

That's so sad. I was watching Laverne and Shirley today. RIP

tv star collector · 06-22-2006, 07:09 PM

I remember him from IT'S A LIVING. Good character actor.

Zebra 3 · 06-22-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

And of course on my beloved WKRP he was in Pilot, pt 2.

To this day everytime I see his picture I'm reminded of the WKRP in Cincinnati pilot.

Brian Damage · 06-22-2006, 10:48 PM

He was great in the Odd Couple. Dlemond is right, a great character actor.

Mr. Television · 06-22-2006, 10:57 PM

He was a great actor. I loved him on It's A Living. R.I.P. Richard.

Jrnygrl · 06-23-2006, 12:51 AM

Oh wow! He was also the judge on an episode of Good Times. I liked him on It's a Living also.

RIP RICHARD STAHL!

ponytail · 06-23-2006, 06:46 AM

That's sad news. I remember him in alot of comedies.

06-22-2006, 11:13 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'Laverne and Shirley' Actor Richard Stahl Dies at 74 'Laverne and Shirley' Actor Richard Stahl Dies at 74 Richard Stahl, an actor whose more than 40-year career stretched from New York theater to film and television comedies such as "Laverne and Shirley," has died. He was 74. Stahl died Sunday at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's health center in Woodland Hills after a 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease, his wife, actress Kathryn Ish, said Wednesday. "He had been declining for some time now," she said. Born in Detroit, Stahl did magic tricks as a boy and moved to California as a performer at age 15, Ish said. He served in the Army during the Korean War, later graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Ish and Stahl were both off Broadway theater actors when they met in 1959. They married later that year. In the 1960s, the pair moved to San Francisco and joined improv comedy group The Committee, Ish said. They settled in Santa Barbara in 1975. Stahl's film credits include 1979's "Five Easy Pieces," Mel Brooks' 1977 spoof "High Anxiety," 1980's "9 to 5" and 1996's "Ghosts of Mississippi." He appeared on such TV shows as "Laverne and Shirley," "The Odd Couple," and "Barney Miller," and held a regular stint on 1980s sitcom "It's A Living." "He was a funny guy, he worked in comedy all his life," Ish said. Stahl is survived by Ish, their daughter Allegra and son Oliver.

06-22-2006, 11:15 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Rest In Peace, Richard Stahl

06-22-2006, 02:13 PM	#4
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	May he rest in peace.
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06-22-2006, 03:50 PM	#5
LucyCompanyPhan Hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 25, 2001 Location: a far away place in sitcomville Posts: 2,254	That's so sad. I was watching Laverne and Shirley today. RIP
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06-22-2006, 10:48 PM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	He was great in the Odd Couple. Dlemond is right, a great character actor.
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06-22-2006, 11:19 AM	#3
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	I loved Richard Stahl! The Odd Couple is where I know him from originally. he played a bunch of different roles on the show. And of course on my beloved WKRP he was in Pilot, pt 2. What a great character actor. Rest in peace.

06-22-2006, 07:09 PM	#6
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I remember him from IT'S A LIVING. Good character actor.

06-22-2006, 10:57 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	He was a great actor. I loved him on It's A Living. R.I.P. Richard.
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06-23-2006, 12:51 AM	#10
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Oh wow! He was also the judge on an episode of Good Times. I liked him on It's a Living also. RIP RICHARD STAHL!

06-23-2006, 06:46 AM	#11
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	That's sad news. I remember him in alot of comedies.