1. Overview
George Murdock (born George Sawaya Jr.; June 25, 1930 - April 30, 2012) was an American character actor whose extensive career primarily spanned television and film. Known for his distinctive craggy facial features and deep bass voice, Murdock frequently portrayed authoritative figures such as judges, police officers, and military personnel. His career highlights include notable roles in popular television series like Barney Miller, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Seinfeld, as well as a memorable appearance in the film Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
2. Early Life and Background
George Murdock was born in Salina, Kansas, on June 25, 1930, under his birth name, George Sawaya Jr. He was the second of seven children.
2.1. Birth and Family
His parents were George R. Sawaya, a Lebanese immigrant, and Olive Johnson Sawaya (née Johnson).
3. Career
George Murdock's career in the performing arts spanned several decades, encompassing significant contributions to theatre, television, and film.
3.1. Early Career and Theatre
Murdock began his acting career in theatre, becoming an original cast member of the Los Angeles-based Melrose Theatre. During its early 1980s Off-Broadway run, he appeared in the production "Lester Sims Retires Tomorrow." His stage work also included appearances in productions at the South Coast Repertory, the Los Angeles Theater Center, and the Odyssey Theatre. Murdock was particularly known for frequently playing judges on stage, including the role of Judge Julius Hoffman in West Coast and Chicago stage productions of The Chicago Conspiracy Trial, a role he also performed in an adaptation for BBC Radio. Additionally, he took on the role of "Big Daddy" in Tennessee Williams' classic play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with the Arizona Theater Company during their 1988 season.
3.2. Television Career
Murdock had an extensive career in television, appearing in numerous series and miniseries. He was a regular on the 1986-87 sitcom What a Country!, where he played the character Laszlo Gabo. His recurring and guest appearances spanned a wide range of genres and popular shows. Notable television roles included Lt. Scanlon, a bitter and suspicious NYPD Internal Affairs officer in the sitcom Barney Miller, and Dr. Salik in the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. He also appeared as Admiral Hanson in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Best of Both Worlds", and as Yuri Testikov in the Seinfeld episode "The Marine Biologist". His television credits also include appearances in The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, 77 Sunset Strip, Combat!, I Spy, Bonanza, Ben Casey, The F.B.I., Tarzan, Batman, The Wild Wild West, Gunsmoke, Ironside, Cimarron Strip, The Virginian, Night Gallery, It Takes a Thief, Hawaii Five-O, The Mod Squad, Adam-12, Bearcats!, Banacek, McCloud, The New Perry Mason, The Magician, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Streets of San Francisco, The Invisible Man, Police Woman, Little House on the Prairie, Lou Grant, The Rockford Files, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Trapper John, M.D., Bosom Buddies, T. J. Hooker, The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), Hill Street Blues, Benson, The Winds of War, Knight Rider, Night Court, Fame, Murder, She Wrote, Small Wonder, Dynasty, Midnight Caller, War and Remembrance, L.A. Law, Batman: The Animated Series (voice role), Law & Order, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, The Nanny, Chicago Hope, ER, The Gregory Hines Show, Mike Hammer, Private Eye, Early Edition, Just Shoot Me!, The X-Files, The Norm Show, Judging Amy, Smallville, The Dead Zone, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Eagleheart, and Torchwood: Miracle Day.
3.3. Film Career
Murdock's film career included a variety of roles, often portraying figures of authority or characters with a gruff demeanor. One of his most iconic film roles was the portrayal of the "God" entity in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). Other notable film appearances include Pressure Point (1962), He Rides Tall (1964), Taggart (1964), Gunn (1967), Blackbeard's Ghost (1968), The Todd Killings (1971), The Mack (1973), Willie Dynamite (1974), Thomasine & Bushrod (1974), Hangup (1974), Earthquake (1974), Breaker! Breaker! (1977), Thunder and Lightning (1977), Any Which Way You Can (1980), Shoot the Moon (1982), The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), I'm Going to Be Famous (1983), Certain Fury (1985), Retribution (1987), Timescape (1992), Final Analysis (1992), Firepower (1993), Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II (1994), Molly & Gina (1994), Tyson (1995), The American President (1995), Crosscut (1996), Scorpio One (1998), Anarchy TV (1998), Phoenix (1998), The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998), The Adventures of Ragtime (1998), Family Tree (1999), Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming (1999, Short), Time Share (2000), Orange County (2002), Legend of the Phantom Rider (2002), Spider's Web (2002), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), Serial Killing 4 Dummys (2004), One More Round (2005), Man in the Chair (2007), and Say It in Russian (2007).
3.4. Major Roles and Acting Style
George Murdock was recognized for his distinctive acting style, often characterized by his craggy facial features and deep bass voice, which frequently led him to be cast in roles as authoritative figures. He was particularly known for playing judges, a role he performed both on stage and screen.
Among his most memorable characters in television and film were:
- Lt. Scanlon** in Barney Miller: A bitter and suspicious NYPD Internal Affairs officer.
- Dr. Salik** in Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series) and Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming (1999 short film).
Regarding his professional approach, Murdock was pragmatic about his roles. In a 1982 interview with the Los Angeles Times, when asked if he ever objected to being typecast, Murdock famously responded, "Getting the job is important. Who cares where it comes from." This quote underscored his dedication to his craft and his willingness to embrace the opportunities that came his way, regardless of their similarity to previous roles.
4. Personal Life
George Murdock was married to Cathy. He was also a stepfather to Cathy's daughter.
5. Death
George Murdock died on April 30, 2012, at the age of 81. He passed away in Burbank, California, due to cancer. He was survived by his wife, Cathy, and his stepdaughter.
6. Filmography
- The Twilight Zone (1962, TV Series) as Willie
- The Untouchables (1962, TV Series) as Pete Topchinski / Gus Dmytryk
- Pressure Point (1962) as Rally Speaker (uncredited)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1963, TV Series) as Frank Syden
- He Rides Tall (1964) as Burt
- Taggart (1964) as Army Scout (uncredited)
- Combat! (1965, TV Series) as Marcus
- I Spy (1965, TV Series) as Mariner
- Bonanza (1965-1970, TV Series) as Luis Getty / Marks / Floyd
- Ben Casey (1965) as Byron B. Davis
- The F.B.I. (1965-1974, TV Series) as Dirken / Vic Kirby / Al Evans
- Tarzan (1966-1967, TV Series) as Eric / Damian / Karl
- Gunn (1967) as Archie
- Batman (1967) as one of Catwoman's henchmen
- The Wild Wild West (1967, TV Series) as Luther Coyle
- Gunsmoke (1967-1974, TV Series) as Luke / Cole Matson / Bret Gruber / Jim Travers
- Ironside (1968-1974, TV Series) as Sheriff / Phil Wagner / Jim Peters / Lee R. Anderson / FBI Agent Torrence / Capt. Walter Finch / Victor Cramer
- Blackbeard's Ghost (1968) as Head Official
- Cimarron Strip (1968, TV Series) as Bladgey
- The Virginian (1969, TV Series) as Barton
- Night Gallery (1969, TV Series) as 1st Agent
- It Takes a Thief (1970, TV series) as Devon
- Hawaii Five-O (1971, TV Series) as Hank Merrill
- The Mod Squad (1971, TV Series) as Price
- The Todd Killings (1971) as Police Officer
- Adam-12 (1971, TV Series) as Mr. Williams
- Bearcats! (1971, TV Series) as Coot Leonard
- Banacek (1972-1974, TV Series) as Cavanaugh
- McCloud (1972-1974, TV Series) as Sergeant Rosovitch / Officer Duncan
- The Mack (1973) as Fatman
- The New Perry Mason (1973, TV Series) as Sgt. Dave Cook
- The Magician (1973, TV Series) as Timothy Dunagan
- Willie Dynamite (1974) as Celli
- Thomasine & Bushrod (1974) as U.S. Marshal Bogardie
- The Six Million Dollar Man (1974, TV Series) as Rossi
- Hangup (1974) as Captain Gorney
- Earthquake (1974) as Colonel
- The Streets of San Francisco (1974-1977, TV Series) as Harlan Betts / Dempsey / Merle
- The Invisible Man (1975, TV Series) as Captain Scopes
- Police Woman (1975, TV Series) as Hogan / Macon
- Barney Miller (1976-1982, TV Series) as Lt. Ben Scanlon
- Little House on the Prairie (1977, TV Series) as Jeremy Stokes
- Breaker! Breaker! (1977) as Judge Joshua Trimmings
- Thunder and Lightning (1977) as Jake Summers
- Lou Grant (1977, TV Series) as Sgt. Irwin Winowsky
- The Rockford Files (1978, TV Series) as Doc Holliday
- Battlestar Galactica (1978-1979, TV Series) as the Doctor
- The Dukes of Hazzard (1979, TV Series) as Big Jim Downey
- The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979-1981, TV Series) as Mr. Sheldon / Mayor Hawkins
- Any Which Way You Can (1980) as Sgt. Cooley
- Trapper John, M.D. (1981, TV Series) as Jobo's Dad
- Shoot the Moon (1982) as French DeVoe
- Bosom Buddies (1982, TV Series) as Elliot Pardo
- T. J. Hooker (1982, TV Series) as Detective Jackson
- The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) as Quade
- Hill Street Blues (1982, TV Series) as Buck Remington
- Benson (1982, TV Series) as Officer George Grimsby
- The Winds of War (1983) as Brig. Gen. 'Fitz' Fitzgerald
- I'm Going to Be Famous (1983)
- Knight Rider (1983-1984, TV Series) as Archibald / Judge Oliver Callan
- Night Court (1984, TV Series) as Detective Griffin / Sergeant Foster / Hank Mire / Womack
- Fame (1985, TV Series) as Mr. Pulaski
- Certain Fury (1985) as Lt. Speier
- Murder, She Wrote (1985, TV Series) as Officer Kaplan
- Small Wonder (1986, TV Series) as Mr. Gordon
- Retribution (1987) as Dr. John Talbot
- Dynasty (1988, TV Series) as Charlie Braddock
- Midnight Caller (1989, TV series) as Sam Chase
- War and Remembrance (1989, TV Mini-Series) as Gen. Leslie Groves
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) as The "God" entity
- L.A. Law (1989, TV Series) as Sam
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990, TV Series) as Admiral J. P. Hanson
- Timescape (1992) as Judge Caldwell
- Final Analysis (1992) as Judge Costello
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992, TV Series) as Boss Biggis (voice)
- Law & Order (1992-1999, TV Series) as Judge Eric Bertram
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993, TV Series) as Burton Newcomb
- Firepower (1993) as Captain Croy
- Seinfeld (1994, TV Series) as Testikov
- Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II (1994) as Senator Riley
- Molly & Gina (1994) as Patrick Sweeny
- The Nanny (1995, TV Series) as Dakota Williams
- Tyson (1995, TV Movie) as Baranski
- The American President (1995) as Congressman
- Crosscut (1996) as Uncle Leo
- Chicago Hope (1996, TV Series) as Judge John Spencer
- ER (1996, TV Series) as Mr. Sidowski
- The Gregory Hines Show (1997, TV Series) as Samuel Lawrence
- Mike Hammer, Private Eye (1997, TV Series) as Cleve Baxter
- Scorpio One (1998) as CIA Director Wilfrid Parlow
- Early Edition (1998, TV Series) as Dutch Van Drie
- Anarchy TV (1998) as Chief Cochon
- Just Shoot Me! (1998, TV Series) as Sea Captain
- Phoenix (1998) as Sid
- The X-Files (1998-1999, TV Series) as Elder #2 / 2nd Elder
- The X-Files: Fight the Future (1998) as 2nd Elder
- The Adventures of Ragtime (1998) as Captain Murphy
- The Norm Show (1999, TV Series) as Probation Officer
- Family Tree (1999) as Big Wig
- Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming (1999, Short) as Dr. Salik
- Time Share (2000) as Cedric Templeton
- Judging Amy (2000-2002, TV Series) as Judge Norman Artel
- 2000x (NPR/Hollywood Theater of the Ear radio series)
- Smallville (2001, TV Series) as Old Harry Bollston
- Orange County (2002) as Bob Beugler
- The Dead Zone (2002, TV Series) as Arthur Allen
- Legend of the Phantom Rider (2002) as The Judge
- Spider's Web (2002) as Robert Harding
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) as Acme VP, Unfairly Promoted
- Serial Killing 4 Dummys (2004) as Detective Ray Berro
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2005, TV Series) as Stuart Manslow
- One More Round (2005) as Mr. Mack
- Man in the Chair (2007) as Richard Butler
- Say It in Russian (2007) as Warden
- Eagleheart (2011, TV Series) as Fred
- Torchwood: Miracle Day (2011, TV Series) as Preacher
- Dispatch (2011) as Himself