Thank you for covering one of my favorite television personalities! As a child watching the Beaver and Dick Van Dyke shows in the 60s, I knew he wasn’t “the main star” but I sure loved it when he came onscreen and did his part. I have always missed seeing him after his passing 35 years ago; hard to believe it’s been that long.

I sat with Richard just 3 times (with friends), separate occasions, at the Rose Room in the mid-80's, at a time when I was working Front Office at The Beverly Hills Hotel. Not self-absorbed, lots of smiles, laughs. I'm sure so, so many folks enjoyed being in his company. Thank you for this.

Well done Dave. I loved the Fred Rutherford and Mel Cooley characters. Very convincing. His appearance on the Twilight Zone was memorable too. Remember how he called Ward "old boy," and Lumpy was his "lad" when he was bragging? If he was upset with Lumpy he called him a "big oaf." Fred was the quintessential stuffed shirt on LITB. Played to perfection by Richard Deacon.

A great actor. Thank you for taking the time to show us who he really was. Greatly appreciated.

Richard Deacon and Morey Amsterdam were great friends in real life. They would have a drink after rehearsals and make up ways to insult each others characters. Great character!

We don't have actors like him anymore, that's a shame.

He really was a wonderful actor, one of my favorites. His appearances always made that particular episode of a program better in my opinion.

I love all the character actors back in those days. Richard Deacon was one of those people that would show up unexpectedly in almost everything you watched and although you knew next to nothing much about him, you were always glad to run into him. He was always delightful and laugh-out-loud funny. I'm not sure if this applied to his experiences, but I was a bit surprised to discover that one of the schools that most character actors back then would attend in order to perfect their craft separated them into one of about seven different categories based on their appearance, voice, quirks etc. They were basically pigeon holed into playing a certain type of character and none other as to not step on the toes of fellow character actors in the other six categories. So, I would imagine Richard Deacon was in some way expected to adhere to the same set of rules even if he hadn't been a student of this school. So many character actors were, I would imagine it was nearly impossible to avoid following their rules. If I were to guess, I believe Charles Lane would probably have been grouped with Richard Deacon. Also, it's my understanding that Richard was also the inspiration for Santa's tall elf in Rankin/Bass Production's annual classic, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

As I too have aged I am looking back at the characters from my beloved '60s and '70s shows -- concentrating on the actors who are not the lead. I find that a lot of these actors are wonderful. Richard Deacon was one of my favorites. Thanks for posting!

Richard, was a very sharp dresser. Lived in my Community. A very nice person. Missed 👍 Benjamin Hahn (Retired) Beverly Hills CA

Your channel is great, not just a little thing, either. Thank you for lifting us up and helping us remember.

God forever bless Richard Deacon for his great work on Leave it to Beaver.

One of the kindest and most moving videos I have seen in a long time. With all the sniping and negativity we hear on the 'Net these days we all needed a clip like this one. Thanks for making it.

I loved the interaction on _Leave It To Beaver_ between Lumpy and his father. "Daddy they're being mean to me." "Go do your homework you big boob!" lol

Dave- thank you for sharing such wonderful memories of Richard Deacon. By the way, he did play a nice guy as the uncle to Annette Funicello on her series from Walt Disney. He was quite a wonderful actor for sure.

Lovely tribute, Dave! Richard Deacon wasn't my favourite character on either Beaver or Dick Van Dyke, but the shows would have been poorer off without him. Back then, it was probably difficult for some actors like Richard to fight typecasting, especially without social media which today's actors use to shape their public image. If Richard had social media, we would have seen a man with a storied history, a kind man who accomplished so much in his time, and who loved to entertain. Thanks for letting us in on the wonderful life of Richard Deacon, RIP.

I liked his role as Dr. Harvey Bassett in the first "Invasion of the Body-Snatchers." It was a small but important part which, for me, added a lot to that fine film.

One thing you didn’t mention about the late Richard “Deac” Deacon, was his sense of humor. I knew Deac very well in the 1970’s and spending time with him was always hilarious. It was like being in a very funny sitcom. His mind was always racing toward a punchline or joke of some sort. He loved to make people laugh, and even more he loved to laugh himself. He had a resonant bass baritone voice and when he laughed, everyone within earshot laughed as well! 😀

I love hearing about tv and music personalities who were really great people. I have had the privilege of meeting a few of them myself. The first that comes to mind was Ernest Borgnine. He was an honorary Blue Angel and thus, a frequent visitor to Pensacola FL. I met him while working a security detail at a Blue Angels event. He always took time to meet and talk to everyone working the events. Just a down to earth fella who was everyone's friend.

💘 Loved watching him. Rest in Paradise. ✌️💜🤞👌💙💚

One of those super-competent character actors that always adds a certain something to every role. Glad to hear he was well-appreciated by friends and colleagues as well as fans.

Deacon was everywhere on TV and in movies back in those days. Especially enjoyed his appearance in the original "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" movie (1956)!

I had no idea he had a cooking show! And was into microwave cooking! How fun! Thanks for letting us know more about Richard Deacon!

I just loved that guy. He appeared on the rifleman once and played the same type of character as he did on Leave it to Beaver. I think that role suited him well.

There was an episode of the Dick Van Dyke show where Mel Cooley’s shortcomings were strengths as Alan Brady’s producer. Mel kept the show on budget and on time. He was also the buffer between Alan and the very talented people who would not have taken Alan’s tantrums if they had to deal with him directly.

You are just spectacular at narration Dave. Thank you for all you do!

Thank you Dave for educating me on Richard who I remembered in many TV appearances from my childhood. You do a great job with your videos and your subjects would be thankful and proud in the manner with how you reflect on them and their lives.

That's what I love about your channel, you bring out things about these people that we wouldn't otherwise have known. I hate it that people can be forgotten after their deaths. But when you tell us about them, they live again. Thanks.

I always loved his acting. I even have one of his microwave cookbooks that I have had for over 35 years. He makes your microwave a gourmet oven!

I remember Richard's cooking show but didn't know it was only up here until now.

Always enjoyed his appearance on "Love, American Style", the first time I viewed him on something other than "The Dick Van Dyke Show". Thanks yet again, Dave. I learned a lot of new things about Mr. Deacon today.

Glad you did this tribute to Richard. Loved the characters he played and did them so well. Thanks for sharing more about him

On TV he looked and behaved and spoke just like my high school principal. May they both rest in peace.

Hell- I knew he was acting. He was great! Funny, funny charachter actor. Glad to know he was a humanitarian.

Thank you so much for doing this one, Dave! I was recently thinking of Richard Deacon after viewing several of your videos of supporting actors from the classic TV era. You nailed the characterization of "Fred Rutherford" most eloquently. That is the best, most concise description of that "Leave It To Beaver" character I've heard - and it made me think of fathers I encountered growing up (friend's, neighbor's, my own) and being reminded we all have our flaws. But to Richard Deacon the man - what a wonderful person! As a young man he really paid it forward by serving as an army medic in World War II because he remembered the help and support giving to him by doctors and nurses as a child. I do recall a Campbell's soup commercial he did for one of their new soup offerings (Homestyle maybe?). It stuck in my memory because I did not see anything of Richard Deacon in several years back then - other than syndicated reruns of LITB and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" - and there he was pitching a line of Campbell's soups. Again, thank you! Great show!

I loved Richard as Mel Cooley. The kiss up brother in law to Alan Brady and of course his back and forth jabs with Buddy. I wish he could’ve been given just a little more screen time as Fred Rutherford in Leave it to Beaver .👍

Very well done! I actually watched the Dick Van Dyke show when it first aired back in the 60s. Now, I haven't owned or watched a TV in over 35 years.

Great memories of Richard Deacon, thanks for the video.

Hey,Richard is a Philadelphian like me.I’m 66 and grew up with Leave it to Beaver.

I was always a big fan of Richard deacon. His inner warmth always shined through

Richard Deacon: An Excellent, Superb Character Actor!!!!!** His Character Roles Gave Everyone That "Full Completeness" Of Their Acting Portrayals.** Richard Deacon: A "Master" Of His "Art!!!!!"**

I listened to find out about Richard Deacon , after a few minutes your still telling me about characters I know

Im glad you finally did a story on richard one of my favorite actors. That twilight zone episode was crazy where machines replaced humans. He was great.

What a wonderful tribute Dave! Great presentation of facts in a very kind way - well done! Your videos are always fun and interesting - thank you! Have a great day! - Brenda in PA

horror/thriller author sez: Great thumbnail of a singular, multi-faceted entertainer and man. LOVED him as Lumpy's dad and Ward's nemesis.

What a beautiful tribute.

I remember Richard Deacon from "Leave It To Beaver, " & "The Dick Van Dyke Show". He certainly was quite a character. Dave, I've always loved the profiles you've done on actors and shows. How about a profile on one of my favorite shows it only lasted 1 season. The show is called "The Bearcats", with Rod Taylor and Dennis Cole. It was a great action packed show. That's if a profile haven't been made on this show. I haven't seen the re-runs if they ever were shown since 1971. Last week I've ordered the DVD 's and can't wait to see them when they come in.

What a wonderful character actor Richard was. One of the those "unsung" personalities who made the golden age of television what it was.

Always laughed at Richard! I love your delivery and history of these stars....and I used to laugh at the bald jokes too! Until I myself, became "follically challenged"! Lol.....a great comedian, and obviously a real humanitarian! The glory days of television! I miss them!

Thanks for the post. I remember an episode of another classic sitcom ("Make Room for Daddy" with Danny Thomas) when Richard Deacon played - yes - a grumpy middle-aged parent, a guy who, when he was young, was nicknamed "Jazzbo" because he was the life of the party. By the end of the episode, he came somewhat out of his shell and even did a little dance step for Danny!

Both Fred Rutherford and his daughter Violet (Veronica Cartwright) show up in Alfred Hitchcock's THE BIRDS. They just don't have any scenes together.

The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of my favorite shows as a kid and I still watch it whenever I find it on. I have a book on the show and from various quotes from his co-stars, I knew they all-even Morey Amsterdam-loved him dearly and always thought of him as a true friend.

What a great man! Thanks, Dave, to bringing this to our attention. Love you profiles!

I always liked him and thought he was a very talented actor. I had no idea he was such a renaissance man. Fun to know. 🙂 Thanks!

Beautiful tribute to a truly talented entertainer. I agree with you, too, that Mr. Deacon had played curmudgeons throughout his career, but I also think that he infused decency and vulnerability in his characters, just as the late Ed Asner and Peter Boyle did. We just never recognized it or that TV never revealed it as much.

I love your accounts of all of these stars! Your classy way of portraying them, and the information that you share is done in such a lovely way! You are one of my favorites, and I appreciate your taking the time to put out these wonderful, informative and fun videos! Thank you!!!🙏💕👍✌️

That’s cool‼️Aw sorry for his family and friends and fans it sounds as if his fans were definitely entertained. Thanks Dave for the great tribute Nicely done ‼️You and yours have a great one❣️‼️

I saw him in person briefly in the late 70s. It was in Palm Springs and he was driving a big convertible. I knew instantly who it was.

Thanks once again Dave for these very interesting posts of these classic actors.

For those who don't know, Richard Deacon had a very brief role in the 1978 movie Piranha. He was in charge of an Insurance Investigation Company. Something like that.

That was such a great tribute to Richard.....love it...thank you.

IT'S SO INTERESTING TO SEE ACTOR FRIENDS WORK TOGETHER ON A SHOW THANK YOU FOR THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION 💖

I remember Richard Deacon as a young girl from the series "Annette". He played her Uncle. Loved his character in everything. Thanks so much for the history on him and all the characters from my favorite old shows.

Richard Deacon was a awesome talent ,everything he was in I enjoyed and especially on "The Beverly Hillbillies "as Dr. Klinger he helped granny with the frogs, was way too funny Thanks for sharing this about him 😀he's missed very much!! "HOWDY FROM TEXAS "

Richard Deacon was also GAY at a time when this made working in TV difficult. We need to acknowledge our favorite actors over the decades who were gay. Due to the amazing prejudice against gay men, we will never know if he had a long term partner or was alone his entire life because he would have kept this a total secret except to very dear friends. I hope he found happiness with someone. Everyone deserves romance and love.

Thanks! I've always enjoyed Richard Deacon. He was also in a movie 1959, with Jack Webb, -End-. I wish Richard had done more work. He's a great actor.

Thanks for the tribute to Richard, Dave. His Fred Rutherford character was priceless.0

It's surprising that there are no interviews of Richard to be found online.

This guy was everywhere! He did TV shows he did movies I remember him being the reporter on the thing from another world the 1951 sci-fi classic! my favorite was that he was lumpy's dad on leave It to Beaver 😆😆

For some reason I never thought of him as a grump. I always felt bad for him on the DVD show, Buddy, I thought was mean to Mel. So it doesn't surprise me that so many kind things have been said about him, I think he even had a look of being a kind person. He was in the Anette F. (From Micky Mouse Club) show as her Uncle & I loved him in that! Great vlog, thank you! 🌼

Richard Deacon was one of my Favorite Actors .

Thank you for another EXCELLENT video! I cannot imagine what kind of grump would give any of your vids a 👎, but alas, they exist. 🤔 LOVE your channel! 💜

I loved the episode where Mel Cooley took the blame with Allen, and told Rob that it was just part of his job... As I watch the DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, I can't help but remember that Mel has dreams and ambitions, just like the other characters, but he sacrifices them, for the good of the show, just like Richard Deacon. That's why shows are so bad now; there are no supporting actors, just ensemble casts, where everyone claws for the spotlight...

Great video Dave! He was great in those series as well as in the movies in the 60’s. Thanks for sharing.

I simply loved Richard, especially on leave it to beaver, that just goes to show you how talented he was, to be able to play a character so well that was the complete opposite of his real personality showed true attention to detail

Thank you so much Dave !

It wasn't generally known that Richard Deacon was gay. He hung out with Nancy Walker and Paul Lynde, and their antics when they'd go out for a night on the town at LA-area clubs and restaurants were legend.

Wow,this two year old video came up in my suggestions today. Fascinating story. I remember fancy microwave cooking,we had bunches of cookbooks growing up.

Dave,this video was wonderful! It made me so emotional. I have loved Richard Deacon for ages and have struggled to find much information about his life, so thank you so much for making this wonderful tribute to him. It warms my heart to read all of these comments and see that so many other people love him as I do. I immediately subscribed after watching this :) If you haven't already done a video on the wonderful character actress Alice Pearce,you might want to check her out. She has a really interesting story and was a really lovely person, who happened to be good friends with Richard Deacon. Anyways, I can't tell you how excited I am to have found your channel! Clearly, you are my kind of people :)

I remember an episode where Ward was at a board meeting at the country club. June told him, "Don't say too much. If anyone is going to make a fool of himself there, let it be Fred Rutherford."

One of my favorite episodes of LITB was when Wally and Eddie boobbie trap the Rutherford’s driveway for Lummpy but Mr. Rutherford walked through it. Mrs. Rutherford always “gave him the business “ As always Dave, thanks for the memory 👍🏾

Any role he played he made us laugh. A lot. Wonderful man💗

I really miss great characters like Richard Deacon .

I knew Richard deacon when I met him at a gay bathhouse in the seventies . He looked out of place where mostly younger people were there. I chatted with him and he was a very personable man. I was 28 and I believe he was about 50ish or so. Thanks

I think they created Fred Rutherford to give Ward his own grown-up Eddie Haskell character to deal with while he was helping his boys through their various friend issues, and of course Mel Cooley was the perfect foil to Buddy's rapid-fire baldy zingers. Both characters added a measure of depth to shows about mostly happy people. Richard Deacon played both characters to a T, and also was the second (slightly grouchier) Roger Buell, after Roger C. Carmel left "The Mothers-In-Law". Since I followed "Match Game '73" through most of the 70s, I got to see a little of the real Richard Deacon. I wish I had gotten to see the TV cooking whiz he went on to become. I'm going to try to find his Twilight Zone episode.

Cool I love these interesting little tidbits of info about actors from long a go keep up with the great work

No matter what role he took on, he did an OUTSTANDING JOB with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He had a great voice.

Wow! I always liked Richard Deacon in everything but knowing the real person makes me like him much more. A truly cool person.

That was a terrific video. His kindness was almost as legendary as Jack Benny in real life!

Enjoyed this greatly thank you!! Was thinking about Richard Deacon just yesterday. How funny to find this video. (thumbs up) :)

Richard Deacon was a staple of TV in the 60's and I loved his characters. I do so wish that he'd gotten to play softer characters or at the very least break with the typecast characters he was so good at playing. I'd have to say if he did any Broadway of Off-Broadway shows he might have gotten the chance but never in any of his TV/Movie appearances. Good video as always, Dave.

In the early 70s, Richard came to a local Station to promote his newly published cook book. I managed to get a simple autograph. He was a great man.

Loved all his characters ❤️

Dave your vids make me miss those days so much it hurts...

I remember he did a couple of episodes of Love American Style, he was really funny! Thanks for this mini bio.

Terrific video. He's the one I voted for in your survey a few weeks back. Curmudgeonly characters? Yes. But I also feel that each one was also kind of fighting back against the "weight of the world." Mel Cooley, especially. The Alan Brady Show seemed like it wouldn't have made it on the air without Mel behind the scenes. Great tribute to a great actor.

The good stuff. Your little articles remind me of my favorite radio show now passed and gone. Toronto Q107's Psychedelic Sunday. Its great when the host loves what he is talking about.

Love your videos. Keep them going!

One of the greatest gifts an actor can possess is knowing where he or she fits in. It's not just the ones with "movie star good looks" that can have successful careers. The character actors, such as Richard Deacon, Mary Wickes, Wallace Shawn, Jack Elam, and many others, may not compete with the Brad Pitts and Scarlett Johanssons, but they fill a need in the cast, and most of them are hard-working and very professional. It may have been harder during the years that Deacon was acting, but many character actors are sort of "breaking type" recently by appearing as different types than we're used to seeing them play.