Character Actor William Schallert Keeps On Working

[Zoneboy]

Link

Character actor William Schallert has been working since 1947, appearing in more than 300 television shows and movies.

But when people see him, all they want to do is talk about his roles on "The Patty Duke Show" and "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis."

"It's amazing to me," the 85-year-old actor said this week. "That was a time in their lives where they still think of me as kind of a father figure."

He played Duke's dad, Martin Lane, on the classic 1963-66 sitcom and became very paternal toward the teen actress.

"We really bonded," he said. "I had four sons and her father was no longer there for the family. She is the daughter of my heart."

The two have stayed in touch and appeared together in a 1999 television reunion special. Both have served as president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Just last week, they got together for an autograph show in Los Angeles - a first for Duke, who now lives in Idaho.

"We had a chance to talk at some length, and she told me some stuff about her life that I had never heard before," he said. "It was a very rare chance to see her."

Prior to the Duke show, Schallert spent three seasons as Mr. Leander Pomfritt on "Dobie Gillis." He's also had recurring roles on "The Adventures of Jim Bowie," "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "Death Valley Days."

All of those roles before and after he played Patty's dad are well-remembered by younger generations.

"I worked on `The Suite Life of Zach and Cody,"' Schallert said. "The guys who hired me, the writers, wanted to meet with me and talk about a part on `Get Smart' as an old admiral who fell down all the time.

"That amazes me because they were really thrilled to have me there. They had seen the show and were fond of those episodes."

In recent years, he has found an increased demand for his services and he's thrilled:

"I'm 85 now; not many people my age are working. It's a kick. I love to act. I never really stopped."

His current career revival came after he hired a new agent less than two years ago who began sending him out for one-day guest spots.

"It's like I'm starting over again," said Schallert, who was brought to the agent's attention through an acting workshop he'd been a part of in Beverly Hills.

"Actors are no different from dancers or other artists, they need to practice," he said. "An actor should be in some kind of workshop ... or you begin to lose your touch."

It looks like he never has.

[OH Nuts!]

What a great article Charles, thanks!!

[jayman75]

Here's the actual link. The one above doesn't work.

Linkity

[Zoneboy]

Originally Posted by jayman75

Here's the actual link. The one above doesn't work.

It does now.

[catlover79]

God bless him!! Glad to see he is happy and healthy.

[comedyfreak]

I hope he continues on. I fondly remember him as Samantha's baby Doctor.