Richard Mulligan
Richard Mulligan (
November 13,
1932 -
September 26,
2000) was an
American television and
film actor whose career spanned 34 years.
He was born in
New York City,
New York, the brother of director
Robert Mulligan. After attending
Columbia University, Mulligan began working in theatre, making his debut as a stage manager and performer on
Broadway in 1960. Two years later he would act in his first
motion picture followed by guest appearances on assorted television shows.
His best-known recurring role in television was that of Burt Campbell in the sitcom
Soap, for which he won a Best Actor
Emmy Award, and in the starring role of Dr. Harry Weston in
Empty Nest, which was a spin-off of
The Golden Girls. For his performances in
Empty Nest, he would win a second Best Actor Emmy Award as well as a
Golden Globe Award.
Over the years, Mulligan returned to perform on Broadway and in films where he usually played supporting roles. A notable exception was the 1981 satirical film
S.O.B., in which he played lead character Felix Farmer, a
Hollywood producer-director modelled on the film's actual producer-director,
Blake Edwards.
On
September 26,
2000, Mulligan died of
cancer in
Los Angeles,
California. He was 67 years old. His remains were
cremated.
Mulligan has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6777 Hollywood Blvd.
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