1. Overview
Richard Derr (June 15, 1917 - May 8, 1992) was an American actor who had a diverse career spanning stage, film, and television. He performed in both supporting and main roles throughout his professional life, contributing significantly to the performing arts. Beyond his acting career, Derr also had a period of military service and worked as a real estate broker. This article provides a comprehensive look into his life and varied professional endeavors.
2. Early life and background
Richard Derr was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 1917. He completed his secondary education at Norristown High School, graduating in 1933. Before embarking on his professional acting career, Derr worked as a bank clerk. During this time, he developed his passion for acting by performing with a little theater group located in Norristown, gaining early experience in local theatrical productions.
3. Acting career
Richard Derr's acting career was extensive, encompassing significant work across various mediums including stage, film, and television.
3.1. Stage
Derr was a dedicated member of The Actors Studio, holding a life membership. He took on several main roles in stage dramas throughout his career. Notably, in 1955, he performed the lead role in the Broadway musical Plain and Fancy. His other notable Broadway appearances include Dial M for Murder in 1952, A Phoenix Too Frequent and The Closing Door, both in 1949, Maybe Tuesday in 1957, and Invitation to a March in 1960.
3.2. Film
Primarily known as a character actor in films, Richard Derr also secured lead roles in several notable productions. He starred as David Randall in George Pal's 1951 science fiction film When Worlds Collide, produced by Paramount Pictures. Later, in 1958, he took on the main role of Lamont Cranston in Invisible Avenger, a film adaptation based on The Shadow, a popular radio drama and pulp magazine character. This character also served as the basis for two television pilot episodes, though neither was developed into a full series.
3.3. Television
During the 1950s, a significant portion of Richard Derr's acting work was for television productions. On November 21, 1950, he co-starred in "The Perfect Type" on Armstrong Circle Theatre. In 1959, he served as the host for Fanfare, a summer dramatic anthology series broadcast by NBC-TV.
In 1965, Derr played the role of Dr. Dwyer in "The Adventures of Gallegher," a three-part serial featured on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. He also appeared as Mr. Dwyer in an episode of Disneyland in 1954. His later television credits include appearances in Barnaby Jones, Perry Mason, and two episodes of Star Trek, including the 1969 episode "Mark of Gideon" where he played Admiral Fitzgerald. In 1976, he was featured in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man Book II, and in 1978, he appeared in Dallas.
4. Other careers
Beyond his acting profession, Richard Derr pursued other significant career paths, showcasing his diverse professional interests.
4.1. Military service
During World War II, Richard Derr served for three years in the Army Transport Service. This period of military service was a notable part of his life outside of the entertainment industry.
4.2. Real estate
Derr was a licensed real estate broker. He was affiliated with the Beverly Hills Realty Company and was an active member of the Beverly Hills Realty Board, indicating his engagement in the real estate sector in Beverly Hills.
5. Death
Richard Derr died on May 8, 1992, in Santa Monica, California. He was 75 years old at the time of his death. The cause of his death was pancreatic cancer.
6. Filmography
This section provides a comprehensive list of Richard Derr's appearances in film and television.
6.1. Film
- Charlie Chan in Rio (1941) as Ken Reynolds
- Man at Large (1941) as Max, posing as Colonel Von Rohn
- A Gentleman at Heart (1942) as Stewart Haines
- Sex Hygiene (1942 short) as Soldier
- Castle in the Desert (1942) as Carl Detheridge
- The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1942) as Roger Blake
- Ten Gentlemen from West Point (1942) as Chester
- Just Off Broadway (1942) as John Logan
- Commandos Strike at Dawn (1942) as Gunnar Korstad
- Tonight We Raid Calais (1943) as German Captain (uncredited)
- Cry "Havoc" (1943) as Marine with Thermometer (uncredited)
- An American Romance (1944) in an undetermined role (uncredited)
- The Secret Heart (1946) as Larry Addams
- The Bride Goes Wild (1948) as Bruce Kope Johnson
- Luxury Liner (1948) as Charles G.K. Worton
- Joan of Arc (1948) as Jean de Metz (a knight)
- Guilty of Treason (1950) as Soviet Col. Aleksandr Melnikov
- When Worlds Collide (1951) as David Randall
- Something to Live For (1952) as Tony Collins
- Invisible Avenger (1958) as Lamont Cranston
- Terror Is a Man (1959) as William Fitzgerald
- An American Dream (1966) as Jack Hale (uncredited)
- Rosie! (1967) as Lawyer
- Three in the Attic (1968) as Mr. Clinton
- Topaz (1969) as U.S. Embassy Official in Copenhagen (uncredited)
- Adam at 6 A.M. (1970) as Mr. Gaines
- The Morning After (1974) as Dr. Tillman
- The Drowning Pool (1975) as James Devereaux
- SST: Death Flight (1977) as Governor Stensky
- American Gigolo (1980) as Mr. Williams
- Firefox (1982) as Admiral Curtin
6.2. Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Armstrong Circle Theatre | Co-featured | "The Perfect Type" |
| 1954 | Disneyland | Mr. Dwyer | |
| 1957 | Perry Mason | ||
| 1959 | Fanfare | Host | NBC-TV summer dramatic anthology series |
| 1965 | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | Dr. Dwyer | "The Adventures of Gallegher" (three-part serial) |
| 1969 | Star Trek: The Original Series | Admiral Fitzgerald | S3:E16, "Mark of Gideon" |
| 1973 | Barnaby Jones | ||
| 1976 | Rich Man, Poor Man Book II | Miniseries | |
| 1978 | Dallas |