Richard McKenzie
Born (1930-06-02) June 2, 1930
OccupationActor
Years active1961, 1971–2002
TelevisionAll in the Family
Three's Company
It Takes Two
Matlock
In The Heat of The Night
SpouseAza Cefkin

Richard McKenzie (born June 2, 1930) is an American character actor who is known for his guest role as Fred Bunker, younger brother of Archie Bunker on the hit CBS-TV sitcom series All in the Family in seasons 7 and 8, and season 4 of Archie Bunker's Place. He also appeared in other popular shows such as Quincy, M.E., Hawaii Five-O, Matlock and In the Heat of the Night.

Biography and career

McKenzie's career began in television in a 1961 episode of the sitcom My Three Sons as Quinn. It would be another 14 years until Richard would make another television guest star appearance on the TV drama Doctors' Hospital in 1975 as Dr. Williams.

Throughout the 1970s, McKenzie would make guest appearances on many television shows. His most famous guest appearances in the 70's were on the television sitcoms Three's Company in 1978 as Chef Anton, All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place in three episodes between 1978 and 1982 as Archie Bunker's younger brother Alfred "Fred" Bunker, and on two episodes of Carter County between 1978 and 1979 as Dr. Fenway. Throughout the 1970s, McKenzie would guest star in such shows as The Waltons, Hawaii Five-O, The Jeffersons, Roots, Sword of Justice, One Day at a Time, etc.

McKenzie would also have an extraordinary television career in the 1980s which also included two co-starring role in television shows. His first guest starring role was in the show Family in three different episodes as two different characters. His first co-starring role was in the 1980s short-lived series The Yeagers. The Yeagers was a drama centering on the life of the Yeager family and associates. The series produced only one episode in 1980. The series also co-starred David Ackroyd, Guy Boyd, and Andy Griffith.[1] In 1982, McKenzie would again co-star in another short-lived series entitled It Takes Two. The series was about a couple, Sam and Molly Quinn who are too focused on their jobs to pay attention to their children or each other. He played Walter Chaiken in the series. The series aired for twenty-two episodes in one season, (1982–1983). The series also co-starred Richard Crenna, Patty Duke, and Helen Hunt.[2][3] Some other of his memorable guest star roles in the 1980s include those in the shows Soap, CBS Afternoon Playhouse, Archie Bunker's Place, Knots Landing, Benson, Growing Pains, Too Close for Comfort, Matlock, ALF, etc.

In the 1990s, McKenzie would guest star on shows such as The Golden Girls, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, NYPD Blue, In the Heat of the Night, etc. His last appearance on television was in a 2002 episode of Judging Amy as Judge Novak.

He also appeared in many movies and TV movies. He starred in more than 10 movies during the course of 22 years. His first movie role as "Behan" in the 1971 movie Doc. Some of his other memorable appearances in the movies included those in A.W.O.L. (1972), Man on a Swing, (1974), Corvette Summer, (1978), Being There, (1979), The Doctor, (1991), and Ghost in the Machine (1993). He also appeared in more than 20 TV movies. His first role was in Nicky's World, (1974), as the role of Mr. Lanning, and his last role was in Deadly Medicine, (1991), as the role of Brookshire.

McKenzie made his name in theater as well. His Broadway credits included That Championship Season, Uncle Vanya and many more.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1971DocBehan
1972A.W.O.L.Willy's Father
1972The StoolieGun Store Clerk
1974Man on a SwingSam Gallagher
1978Nowhere to RunDr. SteinbergTV movie
1978Corvette SummerPrincipal Bacon
1979Being ThereRon Steigler
1980Gideon's TrumpetJudge McCraryTV movie
1981First Monday in OctoberHostile Senator
1981Callie & SonDonohueTV movie
1981Splendor in the GrassDoc SmileyTV movie
1981Dark Night of the ScarecrowJudge Henry
1982Some Kind of HeroPsychiatrist
1983MalibuHunnicutt PowellTV movie
1987Billionaire Boys ClubSteven RaleighTV movie
1988BirdSouthern Doctor
1988ShootdownOverstarTV movie
1991The DoctorMr. Richards
1991Deadly MedicineBrookshireTV movie
1991DaddyJeremy BosworthTV movie
1993Ghost in the MachineFrank Mallory

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1961My Three SonsQuinn
1975Doctor's HospitalDr. Williams
The WaltonsPorter Sims
Hawaii Five-OGustave Lupin
1976The JeffersonsMr. Owens
1977RootsSam Harvey2 episodes
Kingston: ConfidentialDunstan
1978Quincy, M.E.Dr.Holmes
Three's CompanyChef Anton
Sword of JusticeBerardi
1978–1979All in the FamilyAlfred "Fred" Bunker2 episodes
Carter CountyDr. Fenway2 episodes
1979One Day at a TimeHerb
IkeCol Offenheim
California FeverMr. Newman
SoapThe Doctor
1979–1980FamilyMr. McKinley/Mr. Stephens3 episodes
1980The YeagersLester1 episode; unsold pilot episode
StoneProfessor Frank
One in a MillionThe Doctor
1980–1981SoapDr. Saxton3 episodes
1981It's a LivingWill Frankel
1982CBS Afternoon PlayhouseTom Gordon
Bring 'Em Back AliveArthur
Archie Bunker's PlaceAlfred "Fred" Bunker
1982–1983It Takes TwoWalter Chaiken22 episodes
1983Condo
The MississippiWallenberg
1984Oh MadelineSam
You Are the JuryDr. Salton
1985Knots LandingJudge Calvin Gillian
BensonSenator Jenkins
Hail to the ChiefGavin Phelps
Stir CrazyEd Grant
Growing PainsDr. McCloskey
The Facts of LifeThe Inspector
1986The ColbysDr. Leonard Jamison2 episodes
MacGyverWillis
Too Close for ComfortBill Wagner
Comedy FactoryGeorge Dent
Highway to HeavenProfessor Fish
1986–1987MatlockLt. Rupert Davis/Police Det. Rupert Davis4 episodes
1987The WizardCummings
21 Jump StreetMr. John Madigan
ValerieMr. Baker
OharaUncle Bob
ThrobHarry
1988My Sister Sam
It's a LivingMr. Mackinaw2 episodes
ALFNick Susla
1989Quantum LeapFred Beaman
1990The Golden GirlsJack
1991The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirJudge
Herman's HeadMichael A. O'Connell
Pros and ConsRay Masters
Empty NestRudnick
1991–1995In the Heat of the NightPreston Donner3 episodes
1992–1993Civil WarsJudge Phil Macomber2 episodes
1993Empty NestMr. Davidson2 episodes
NYPD BlueArland Rickman
1994Picket FencesBishop John Marsh
1995Grace Under FireHenry
2002Judging AmyJudge Novak(final appearance)

References

Further reading

  • Patty Duke, Just Call Me Anna, Autobiography of Patty Duke (Random House LLC, Apr 13, 2011)
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