Richard Mulligan (November 13, 1932 - September 26, 2000)

Richard Mulligan is a good example of a very talented comedic actor that wasn't appreciated nearly enough and also someone who left us much too soon. Between 1962 and and 1988 he appeared in 22 feature films. In the 1980's he tried Broadway and throughout the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's he appeared in a variety of made for television movies. As a guest, he appeared on such television programs as "The Mike Douglas Show", "Mannix", "Gunsmoke", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Love, American Style", "Bonanza", "The Partridge Family", "Medical Story", "Little House on the Prairie", "Charlie's Angels", "The Love Boat", "The Twilight Zone", "Highway to Heaven" and "The John Larroquette Show." In 1977, Mulligan joined the cast of the controversial ABC sitcom "Soap" playing the underhanded Burt Campbell, husband of Mary Campbell, who was played by actress Cathryn Damon (1930-1987). In 1983, he played the lead role in the sitcom "Reggie" which did not have a long run at all. In 1988 he found new fame as widower Miami pediatrician Dr. Harry Weston on the NBC sitcom "Empty Nest." The show was a spin-off from the already popular NBC sitcom "The Golden Girls" which was entering its fourth season at the time. The premise had Weston as the across the street neighbor and good friend of Dorothy (Beatrice Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan) and Sophia (Estelle Getty). He lived with his two daughters Carol (Dinah Manoff) and Barbara (Kristy MacNichol). Between 1988 and 1989 Mulligan made three cross over appearances on "The Golden Girls" and each of the ladies reciprocated at one point or another. In 1991, the medical sitcom "Nurses" debuted on NBC and was set in the same "universe" as "The Golden Girls" and "Empty Nest." Between 1991 and 1993 Mulligan brought his Dr. Harry Weston character in for four guest appearances. In 1995 "Empty Nest" ended seven highly successful seasons on television. Mulligan's final acting role was in an episode of the animated children's show "Hey Arnold!" in which he played a character named Jimmy Kafka. The episode did not air until January 12, 2001, five months after Mulligan's passing. Whether it was dealing with Billy Crystal's wacky Jodie Campbell on "Soap" or fighting off the lusty beast that was Rue McClanahan's Blanche Devereaux on "Empty Nest" Richard Mulligan was an actor of great elegance, talent and class.