Jason Bernard
Encyclopedia
Jason Bernard was an American actor who starred in movies and on television.
, Illinois
. His first starring role was in the television series
The White Shadow
as Jim Willis in the pilot episode, his other well known TV role was in the 1980s TV series Cagney & Lacey
as Inspector Marquette from 1982–1983, Days of our Lives
as Preston Wade in 1982, and a recurring role in the first season of Night Court
as Judge Stone's arrogant rival Judge Willard. His big role came in the 1983 hit NBC
miniseries V as Caleb Taylor, Jason reprised his role in the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle. His other big TV role was in the 1990s FOX
comedy series Herman's Head
as Herman's boss, Mr. Paul Bracken. He was a very popular addition to the Wing Commander
franchise in 1994's Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
as Captain William Eisen.
Bernard's first role in a feature film was a cameo in the Charles Bronson
film Death Wish
, and his first major role was in the 1974
movie Thomasine & Bushrod
. He later appeared in Car Wash, WarGames
and Blue Thunder
.
Bernard made many guest appearances on a variety of television shows, ranging from Starsky & Hutch, Flamingo Road and The Jeffersons
to The Flash
, Wiseguy
and Partners
.
One of his most memorable appearances was as the blind musician Tyrone Wattell, close friend of Steve Martin
's Roger Cobb, in the film All of Me. Bernard's final appearance was in the 1997
film Liar Liar
as Judge Marshall Stevens. Ironically, both movies involved a theme of supernatural intervention leading to a less-than-honest lawyer telling the truth.
on October 16, 1996. He had been driving his automobile in Burbank, California
when he was stricken, and was involved in a rear-end accident. Bernard was rushed to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank and died within the hour at age 58. He was cremated.
Liar Liar was dedicated in memory of him.
Career
Bernard was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. His first starring role was in the television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
The White Shadow
The White Shadow
The White Shadow is an American drama television series that ran on the CBS network from November 27, 1978, to March 16, 1981.-Overview:...
as Jim Willis in the pilot episode, his other well known TV role was in the 1980s TV series Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey is an American television series that originally aired on the CBS television network for seven seasons from October 8, 1981 to May 16, 1988...
as Inspector Marquette from 1982–1983, Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
as Preston Wade in 1982, and a recurring role in the first season of Night Court
Night Court
Night Court is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from January 4, 1984, to May 20, 1992. The setting was the night shift of a Manhattan court, presided over by the young, unorthodox Judge Harold T. "Harry" Stone...
as Judge Stone's arrogant rival Judge Willard. His big role came in the 1983 hit NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
miniseries V as Caleb Taylor, Jason reprised his role in the 1984 sequel V: The Final Battle. His other big TV role was in the 1990s FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
comedy series Herman's Head
Herman's Head
Herman's Head is an American sitcom that aired on the Fox network from 1991 to 1994. The series stars William Ragsdale as the titular character, Herman Brooks.-Synopsis:...
as Herman's boss, Mr. Paul Bracken. He was a very popular addition to the Wing Commander
Wing Commander (franchise)
Wing Commander is a video game media franchise consisting of space combat simulation computer games from Origin Systems, Inc., an animated television series, a feature film, a collectible card game, a series of novels, and action figures...
franchise in 1994's Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger
Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger is the third main game in Chris Roberts' Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulation video game series, developed and released by Origin Systems...
as Captain William Eisen.
Bernard's first role in a feature film was a cameo in the Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson , born Charles Dennis Buchinsky was an American actor, best-known for such films as Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape, Rider on the Rain, The Mechanic, and the popular Death Wish series...
film Death Wish
Death Wish
Death Wish is a 1972 novel by Brian Garfield.-Plot:Paul Benjamin is a CPA in New York and lifelong liberal. However, his staid life is overturned when his daughter, Carol, and spouse, Esther, are attacked by muggers. His wife does not survive the attack, and his traumatized daughter is left in a...
, and his first major role was in the 1974
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
movie Thomasine & Bushrod
Thomasine & Bushrod
Thomasine & Bushrod is a 1974 blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks, Jr., written by and starring Max Julien. The title song was written by Arthur Lee and performed by his band Love.- Plot :...
. He later appeared in Car Wash, WarGames
WarGames
WarGames is a 1983 American Cold War suspense/science-fiction film written by Lawrence Lasker and Walter F. Parkes and directed by John Badham. The film stars Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy....
and Blue Thunder
Blue Thunder
Blue Thunder is a 1983 feature film that features a high-tech helicopter of the same name. The movie was directed by John Badham and stars Roy Scheider...
.
Bernard made many guest appearances on a variety of television shows, ranging from Starsky & Hutch, Flamingo Road and The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. The show was produced by the T.A.T. Communications Company from 1975–1982 and by Embassy Television from 1982-1985...
to The Flash
The Flash (TV series)
The Flash is a 1990 American television series that starred John Wesley Shipp as the superhero, the Flash , and co-starred Amanda Pays. The series was developed from the DC Comics characters by the writing team of Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, and produced by their company, Pet Fly Productions, in...
, Wiseguy
Wiseguy
Wiseguy is an American crime drama series that aired on CBS from September 16, 1987 to December 8, 1990 for a total of four seasons. Starring Ken Wahl, the series was produced by Stephen J...
and Partners
Partners (TV series)
Partners is an American sitcom that aired on FOX from 1995 to 1996.-Synopsis:The series centered a pair of young architects, Bob and Owen , and Owen's fiancée Alicia . Much of the show's humor derived from Bob's lack of success with women and his competition with Alicia for Owen's attention...
.
One of his most memorable appearances was as the blind musician Tyrone Wattell, close friend of Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
's Roger Cobb, in the film All of Me. Bernard's final appearance was in the 1997
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
film Liar Liar
Liar Liar
Liar Liar is a 1997 American comedy film written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur, directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. Carrey was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical...
as Judge Marshall Stevens. Ironically, both movies involved a theme of supernatural intervention leading to a less-than-honest lawyer telling the truth.
Sudden death
Shortly after principal filming of Liar Liar was completed, Bernard suffered a massive heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on October 16, 1996. He had been driving his automobile in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
when he was stricken, and was involved in a rear-end accident. Bernard was rushed to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank and died within the hour at age 58. He was cremated.
Liar Liar was dedicated in memory of him.
Filmography
- Liar LiarLiar LiarLiar Liar is a 1997 American comedy film written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur, directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. Carrey was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical...
(1997) .... Judge Marshall Stevens - Suddenly (1996) (TV) .... Louie
- The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play(1996) (TV) .... Leon Martin
- PartnersPartners (TV series)Partners is an American sitcom that aired on FOX from 1995 to 1996.-Synopsis:The series centered a pair of young architects, Bob and Owen , and Owen's fiancée Alicia . Much of the show's humor derived from Bob's lack of success with women and his competition with Alicia for Owen's attention...
.... Leavitt (1 episode, 1996)
- You Quit? (1996) TV episode .... Leavitt - Wing Commander IV: The Price of FreedomWing Commander IV: The Price of FreedomWing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom is the fourth main game in Chris Roberts' Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulator video game series, produced by Origin Systems and released by Electronic Arts for the PC in 1995 and the Sony PlayStation in 1997...
(1996) (VG) .... Capt. William Eisen - Sophie & the Moonhanger (1996) (TV) .... Holt
- Murder, She WroteMurder, She WroteMurder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,...
.... Wilson Sloane (1 episode, 1996)
- Death Goes Double Platinum (1996) TV episode .... Wilson Sloane - Down, Out & Dangerous (1995) (TV) .... Detective Danner
- While You Were SleepingWhile You Were SleepingWhile You Were Sleeping is a 1995 romantic comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Frederic Lebow. It stars Sandra Bullock as Lucy, a Chicago Transit Authority token collector and Bill Pullman as Jack, the brother of a man whose life she saves, along with Peter...
(1995) .... Jerry Wallace - The Computer Wore Tennis ShoesThe Computer Wore Tennis ShoesThe Computer Wore Tennis Shoes is a Disney film from 1969, starring Alan Hewitt, Kurt Russell, Frank Webb, and Joe Flynn. It is released by Buena Vista Distribution Company....
(1995) (TV) .... Prof. Miles Quigley - Herman's HeadHerman's HeadHerman's Head is an American sitcom that aired on the Fox network from 1991 to 1994. The series stars William Ragsdale as the titular character, Herman Brooks.-Synopsis:...
.... Mr. Bracken (71 episodes, 1991–1994)
- First Impressions (1994) TV episode .... Mr. Bracken
- A Head in the Polls (1994) TV episode .... Mr. Bracken
- Absence Makes the Head Grow Fonder (1994) TV episode .... Mr. Bracken
- Herm-in the Time of Cholera (1994) TV episode .... Mr. Bracken
- Bedtime for Hermo (1994) TV episode .... Mr. Bracken
(66 more) - Wing Commander III: Heart of the TigerWing Commander III: Heart of the TigerWing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger is the third main game in Chris Roberts' Wing Commander science fiction space combat simulation video game series, developed and released by Origin Systems...
(1994) (VG) .... Capt. William Eisen - Cosmic SlopCosmic SlopCosmic Slop is the fifth studio album by Funkadelic, released in 1973 on Westbound Records. While it has been favorably reevaluated by critics long after its original release, the album was a commercial failure, producing no charting singles, and making only #112 on the Billboard albums...
(1994) (TV) .... Bernard Shields (segment "Space Traders") - Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? is an American animated television series based on the series of computer games. It should not be confused with the PBS game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?. The Earth show was made by DIC/Program Exchange and originally aired Saturday mornings on FOX...
(1994) TV series .... Additional Voices (unknown episodes) - Dinosaurs .... Edward R. Hero (1 episode, 1992)
- And the Winner Is... (1992) TV episode (voice) .... Edward R. Hero - Flash III: Deadly Nightshadow (1992) (V) .... Desmond Powell / Nightshade
aka The Flash 3: Deadly Nightshade (UK) - The Flash' .... Desmond Powell / ... (2 episodes, 1990–1991)
- The Deadly Nightshade (1991) TV episode .... Desmond Powell / Nightshade
- Ghost in the Machine (1990) TV episode .... Desmond Powell / Nightshade - Equal Justice .... Judge Thaddeus Jones (1 episode, 1990)
- Separate Lives (1990) TV episode .... Judge Thaddeus Jones - WiseguyWiseguyWiseguy is an American crime drama series that aired on CBS from September 16, 1987 to December 8, 1990 for a total of four seasons. Starring Ken Wahl, the series was produced by Stephen J...
.... Attorney General (2 episodes, 1989)
- Day Nine (1989) TV episode .... Attorney General
- Day Seven (1989) TV episode .... Attorney General - HardballHardball (1989 TV series)Hardball is an American crime drama television series that ran on NBC during the 1989-1990 television schedule.-Synopsis:Hardball is a variation of the buddy cop genre that focused on two cops, Charlie "C.B." Battles and Joe "Kaz" Kaczierowski . Battles is a 45-year-old hard-nosed veteran cop who...
(1 episode, 1989)
- Till Death Do Us Part (1989) TV episode - Paint It Black(1989) .... Lt. Wilder
- American PlayhouseAmerican PlayhouseAmerican Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.It premiered on January 12, 1982 with The Shady Hill Kidnapping, written and narrated by John Cheever and directed by Paul Bogart...
.... Martin Luther King, Jr. (1 episode, 1989)
- The Meeting (1989) TV episode .... Martin Luther King, Jr. - Heart and Soul (1989) (TV) .... Cecil Kincaid
- "Unsub" .... Bishop Grace (2 episodes, 1989)
- And the Dead Shall Rise to Condemn Thee: Part 2 (1989) TV episode .... Bishop Grace
- And the Dead Shall Rise to Condemn Thee: Part 1 (1989) TV episode .... Bishop Grace - Original Sin (1989) (TV) .... Det. Mitchell
- "Empty Nest" .... Mr. Noack (1 episode, 1988)
- Tinker to Evers to Tucson (1988) TV episode .... Mr. Noack - "Designing Women" .... Wilson Brickette (1 episode, 1988)
- The Candidate (1988) TV episode .... Wilson Brickette - Police Story: Gladiator School (1988) (TV) .... Lt. Crawford
- Bird (1988) .... Benny Tate
- "Cagney & Lacey" .... Deputy Inspector Marquette (8 episodes, 1982–1988)
- A Fair Shake: Part 1 (1988) TV episode .... Deputy Inspector Marquette
- A Fair Shake: Part 2 (1988) TV episode .... Deputy Inspector Marquette
- Loves Me Not (1987) TV episode .... Deputy Inspector Marquette
- The Marathon (1986) TV episode .... Deputy Inspector Marquette
- The Gang's All Here (1983) TV episode .... Deputy Inspector Marquette
(3 more) - "Beauty and the Beast" .... Jack Davis (1 episode, 1987)
- An Impossible Silence (1987) TV episode .... Jack Davis - "It's Garry Shandling's Show." .... Officer Sweeny (2 episodes, 1986–1987)
- Nancy Gets Amnesia (1987) TV episode .... Officer Sweeny
- The Day Garry Moved In (1986) TV episode .... Officer Sweeny - Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam (1987) (TV) .... Sergeant Koslow
- "CBS Summer Playhouse" .... Vern Puckett (1 episode, 1987)
- Kingpins (1987) TV episode .... Vern Puckett - No Way Out (1987) .... Major Donovan
- "Amen" .... Dexter (1 episode, 1987)
- Frye for the Defense (1987) TV episode .... Dexter - "The Cosby Show" .... Sgt. Major Boswell Stokes (1 episode, 1986)
- War Stories (1986) TV episode .... Sgt. Major Boswell Stokes - "Starman" .... Chief Harold Galley (1 episode, 1986)
- Peregrine (1986) TV episode .... Chief Harold Galley - "Comedy Factory" .... Finney Morgan (1 episode, 1986)
- The Faculty (1986) TV episode .... Finney Morgan - The Children of Times Square (1986) (TV) .... Lt. Devins
aka Street Wise (Australia: video title) - "Shadow Chasers" .... Burke (1 episode, 1985)
- The Many Lives of Jonathan (1985) TV episode .... Burke - "Hardcastle and McCormick" .... Arnie Sandoval (1 episode, 1985)
- Conventional Warfare (1985) TV episode .... Arnie Sandoval - "The Facts of Life" .... Frank (1 episode, 1985)
- Teacher, Teacher (1985) TV episode .... Frank - "Hotel" .... Irwin Smith (1 episode, 1985)
aka Arthur Hailey's Hotel
- Obsessions (1985) TV episode .... Irwin Smith - The Rape of Richard Beck (1985) (TV) .... Sgt. Wally Rydell
aka Deadly Justice (USA: DVD title)
aka The Broken Badge
aka Violated (USA: video title) - "Crazy Like a Fox" (1 episode, 1985)
- The Geronimo Machine (1985) TV episode - "Knots Landing" .... Dr. Garner (4 episodes, 1984)
- Uncharted Territory (1984) TV episode .... Dr. Garner
- Hanging Fire (1984) TV episode .... Dr. Garner
- Calculated Risks (1984) TV episode .... Dr. Garner
- Buying Time (1984) TV episode .... Dr. Garner - "Riptide" .... Mr. Collins (1 episode, 1984)
- It's a Vial Sort of Business (1984) TV episode .... Mr. Collins - "Night Court" .... Judge Robert T. Willard (2 episodes, 1984)
- Harry on Trial (1984) TV episode .... Judge Robert T. Willard
- Once in Love with Harry (1984) TV episode .... Judge Robert T. Willard - "The Dukes of Hazzard" .... The Chief Guard (1 episode, 1984)
- The Dukes in Hollywood (1984) TV episode .... The Chief Guard - City Killer (1984) (TV) .... Captain Frank Sydney
- "Airwolf" .... Aaron Martin (1 episode, 1984)
aka Lobo del aire (USA: Spanish title)
- Sins of the Past (1984) TV episode .... Aaron Martin - "Hunter" .... Chief Kenny Lanark (1 episode, 1984)
- The Hot Grounder (1984) TV episode .... Chief Kenny Lanark - "Wolf Rock TV" (1984) TV series .... Mr. Morris (unknown episodes)
aka Wolf Rock Power Hour (USA: syndication title) - All of Me (1984) .... Tyrone Wattell
- "V: The Final Battle" .... Caleb Taylor (3 episodes, 1984)
- Part Three (1984) TV episode .... Caleb Taylor
- Part Two (1984) TV episode .... Caleb Taylor
- Part One (1984) TV episode .... Caleb Taylor - "This Is the Life" (1 episode, 1984)
- Dark Journey (1984) TV episode - "The Jeffersons" .... Lloyd Tyndall (3 episodes, 1983)
- Mission: Incredible: Part 3 (1983) TV episode .... Lloyd Tyndall
- Mission: Incredible: Part 2 (1983) TV episode .... Lloyd Tyndall
- Mission: Incredible: Part 1 (1983) TV episode .... Lloyd Tyndall - The Star Chamber (1983) .... Judge Bocho
- WarGames (1983) .... Captain Knewt
- V (1983) (TV) .... Caleb Taylor
aka V: The Original Miniseries (USA: DVD box title) - "High Performance" (1983) TV series .... Fletch (unknown episodes)
- Blue Thunder (1983) .... Mayor
aka Blue Thunder the Movie (UK: video box title) - "Days of Our Lives" (1965) TV series .... Preston Wade (unknown episodes, 1982)
aka Cruise of Deception: Days of Our Lives (USA: summer title)
aka DOOL (USA: informal short title)
aka Days (USA: short title) - I Was a Mail Order Bride (1982) (TV) .... Judge
- "Tucker's Witch" .... Mr. Stillwell (1 episode, 1982)
- Terminal Case (1982) TV episode .... Mr. Stillwell - "The Greatest American Hero" .... Morgan (1 episode, 1982)
- Divorce, Venusian Style (1982) TV episode .... Morgan - "Here's Boomer" .... Sergeant Lindsey Andrews (1 episode, 1982)
- Flatfoots (1982) TV episode .... Sergeant Lindsey Andrews - "Flamingo Road" .... Carl Turner (4 episodes, 1981–1982)
- Chance of a Lifetime (1982) TV episode .... Carl Turner
- The Substitute (1981) TV episode .... Carl Turner
- Trapped (1981) TV episode .... Carl Turner
- The Election (1981) TV episode .... Carl Turner - "M*A*S*H" .... Capt. Quentin Rockingham (1 episode, 1982)
- The Tooth Shall Set You Free (1982) TV episode .... Capt. Quentin Rockingham - Pray TV (1982) (TV) .... Everett
aka Mixed Blessings - "Concrete Cowboys" .... Turman (1 episode, 1981)
- On the Run (1981) TV episode .... Turman - The Night the City Screamed (1980) (TV) .... Dale Wrightson
- Uncle Joe Shannon (1978) .... Goose
- A Woman Called Moses (1978) (TV) .... Daddy Ben Ross
- "The White Shadow" .... Jim Willis (1 episode, 1978)
- Pilot (1978) TV episode .... Jim Willis - Wilma (1977) (TV) .... Coach Temple
- "Delvecchio" .... Sgt. Ogden (1 episode, 1977)
- Bad Shoot (1977) TV episode .... Sgt. Ogden - Car Wash (1976) .... Parole Officer
- "Switch" .... Capt. Dellinger (1 episode, 1976)
- Fleece of Snow (1976) TV episode .... Capt. Dellinger - "Marcus Welby, M.D." .... Dr. Hal Mendoza (1 episode, 1976)
aka Robert Young, Family Doctor
- Vanity Case (1976) TV episode .... Dr. Hal Mendoza - "The Blue Knight" .... Bosco / ... (2 episodes, 1976)
- To Kill a Tank (1976) TV episode .... Detective Al Bosco
- Snitch's Karma (1976) TV episode .... Bosco - "Starsky and Hutch" .... R.C. Turner (1 episode, 1976)
- Silence (1976) TV episode .... R.C. Turner - Friday Foster (1975) .... Charles Foley
- Thomasine & Bushrod (1974) .... Seldon
- "Medical Center" .... Resident (1 episode, 1972)
- Condemned (1972) TV episode .... Resident - "Then Came Bronson" .... Reverend Taylor (1 episode, 1969)
- A Long Trip to Yesterday (1969) TV episode .... Reverend Taylor - "The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" .... Dr. Griffith (1 episode, 1969)
aka The New Doctors
- To Save a Life (1969) TV episode .... Dr. Griffith - Liar Liar (1997) (in loving memory)
External links
- Jason Bernard at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...