Richard Simmons (actor)
Encyclopedia
Richard Simmons also known as Dick Simmons, was an American actor.
, Simmons started his film acting career in 1937. Many of his roles would be uncredited through 1942, which included an uncredited role in the film The Yukon Patrol, which would later be important as it would lead to his best-known starring role. Starting in 1943 he began appearing in credited roles, beginning with his appearance in The Youngest Profession
, starring Virginia Weidler
. From 1943 through 1949 he would appear in seventeen films, of which seven were uncredited.
The 1950s mirrored the 1940s, with him appearing in several films and television
programs, at times uncredited. In 1952 he played the co-pilot in Above and Beyond
. In 1955, Simmons won his best known role, portraying the lead of Sergeant William Preston
in the 1950s television series Sergeant Preston of the Yukon
, a spinoff of The Yukon Patrol. Following the end of the series in 1958, he continued to have a successful acting career, mostly with television series appearances, through 1982, with his last role being in the TV show Chips
, starring Sue Lyon
and Cesar Romero
.
in Oceanside, California
at the age of 89.
Early life and career
Born in Saint Paul, MinnesotaSaint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, Simmons started his film acting career in 1937. Many of his roles would be uncredited through 1942, which included an uncredited role in the film The Yukon Patrol, which would later be important as it would lead to his best-known starring role. Starting in 1943 he began appearing in credited roles, beginning with his appearance in The Youngest Profession
The Youngest Profession
The Youngest Profession is a 1943 film, directed by Edward Buzzell, and starring Virginia Weidler, John Carroll, Edward Arnold, Scotty Beckett, and Agnes Moorehead. It contains cameos by Greer Garson, Lana Turner, William Powell, Walter Pidgeon, and Robert Taylor....
, starring Virginia Weidler
Virginia Weidler
Virginia Weidler was an American child actress, popular in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s.-Early life and career:...
. From 1943 through 1949 he would appear in seventeen films, of which seven were uncredited.
The 1950s mirrored the 1940s, with him appearing in several films and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
programs, at times uncredited. In 1952 he played the co-pilot in Above and Beyond
Above and Beyond (film)
Above and Beyond is a 1952 film about Paul Tibbets, the pilot of the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb. It starred Robert Taylor as Tibbets and Eleanor Parker as his wife. James Whitmore played security officer Major Bill Uanna.-Cast:...
. In 1955, Simmons won his best known role, portraying the lead of Sergeant William Preston
Sergeant William Preston
Sergeant William Preston is a fictional Canadian Mountie created by Fran Striker and George W. Trendle for the long-running radio serial Challenge of the Yukon....
in the 1950s television series Sergeant Preston of the Yukon
Challenge of the Yukon
Challenge of the Yukon was a radio series that began on Detroit's station WXYZ , and an example of a Northern genre story. The series was first heard on February 3, 1938...
, a spinoff of The Yukon Patrol. Following the end of the series in 1958, he continued to have a successful acting career, mostly with television series appearances, through 1982, with his last role being in the TV show Chips
Chips
-Food:*A thick version of French fries, strips of deep-fried potato*Potato chips , a snack food comprising thin slices of fried potatoes*Tortilla chips, a snack food made from corn tortillas*Corn chips a snack food made from corn...
, starring Sue Lyon
Sue Lyon
- Lolita :Sue Lyon was 14 years old when she was cast in the role of Dolores "Lolita" Haze, the sexually charged adolescent and the object of an older man's obsessions in Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film, Lolita. She was chosen for the role partly because her curvy figure suggested an older adolescent...
and Cesar Romero
Cesar Romero
Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. was an American film and television actor who was active in film, radio, and television for almost sixty years...
.
Death
On January 11, 2003, Simmons died of Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
in Oceanside, California
Oceanside, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Oceanside had a population of 167,086. The population density was 3,961.8 people per square mile...
at the age of 89.