Biography
William Joseph Schallert (July 6, 1922 – May 8, 2016) was an American character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows and films over a career spanning more than 60 years. He is known for his roles on Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957–1959), Death Valley Days (1955–1962), and The Patty Duke Show (1963–1966). Schallert was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edwin Francis Schallert, a longtime drama critic for the Los Angeles Times, and Elza Emily Schallert (née Baumgarten), a magazine writer and radio host. He began acting while a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but left to become an Army Air Corps fighter pilot in World War II. He returned to UCLA after the war and graduated in 1946. After graduating from UCLA, Schallert began his acting career in the theater. He appeared in several productions at the Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, including a staging of W. Somerset Maugham's Rain in 1948, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin. Schallert made his television debut in 1951, and he quickly became a familiar face on the small screen. He appeared in numerous guest roles on shows such as The Adventures of Superman, The Twilight Zone, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He also had recurring roles on The Patty Duke Show, The Nancy Drew Mysteries, and The Torkelsons. In addition to his work on television, Schallert also appeared in several films, including The Bridges of Toko-Ri (1954), The Apartment (1960), and The Sting (1973). Schallert died in Pacific Palisades, California, in 2016, at the age of 93. He was survived by his wife, Leah Waggner, and their four children.
Acted in 262
2010s
- 2011
Bag of Bones
Max Devore · 2 episodes
- 2010
The Deep End
Hal Douglas · 1 episode
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
- 2005
- 2004
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights
Martin Lane
- 1997
To Dance with Olivia
Judge Shelton
- 1996
Harvey
Judge Gaffney
- 1994
Shake, Rattle and Rock!
Judge Boone
The Good Life
Judge Milligan · 1 episode
- 1993
Sex, Shock & Censorship in the 90's
Judge
- 1992
Fish Police
Additional Voices (voice) · 1 episode
- 1991
Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love
Sheriff
Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin Story
Landrum Bolling
- 1990
The Incident
Wallace
1980s
- 1989
Cross of Fire
Reverend · 2 episodes
- 1988
Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis
Mr. Pomfritt
- 1987
The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy
Willem (voice)
- 1986
Under the Influence
Cade
The New Gidget
Russ Lawrence · 44 episodes
- 1985
Gidget's Summer Reunion
Russ Lawrence
- 1984
The Duck Factory
Skip's Father · 1 episode
Amazons
Congressman Stanford Barstow
- 1983
Through Naked Eyes
Terry Parrish
Grace Kelly
Father Tucker
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
1970s
- 1979
Blind Ambition
Herbert Kalmbach · 4 episodes
Ike
Gen. Mark Clark
Ike
Gen. Mark Clark · 3 episodes
Legends of the Super Heroes
Retired Man
Legends of the Superheroes
Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone · 2 episodes
- 1978
The Stableboy's Christmas
The Innkeeper
Little Women
Jonathan March · 2 episodes
Confessions of the D.A. Man
Movie
- 1977
Tail Gunner Joe
Gen. Zwicker
- 1976
The Nancy Walker Show
Teddy Futterman · 1 episode
Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway
Harry
All's Fair
TV
Tunnel Vision
Francis X. Cody
- 1975
Promise Him Anything
Silver
- 1974
Death Sentence
Tanner
Remember When
Dick Hodges
- 1973
Charley Varrick
Bill Horton
Partners in Crime
Oscar
- 1972
Kung Fu
Willis Roper · 1 episode
Delphi Bureau
Maury Stapleton · 1 episode
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine
Judge
Man on a String
William Connaught
- 1971
Funny Face
TV
Escape
Senator Lewis Harrison
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
The Debbie Reynolds Show
TV
- 1968
Speedway
Abel Esterlake
- 1967
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
Archie
Fred Andrews
- 1963
Philbert (Three's a Crowd)
Griff M.
- 1962
Ensign O'Toole
Douglas Harper · 1 episode
Lonely are the Brave
Harry
Paradise Alley
Jack Williams
- 1961
Gunslinger
Lieutenant Gilmore · 1 episode
- 1960
Coronado 9
Alfred Bates · 1 episode
1950s
- 1959
Philip Marlowe
TV
Wichita Town
TV
Blue Denim
George - Bank Vice President (uncredited)
The Beat Generation
Father Dinelli
- 1958
Some Came Running
Al (Jewelry Store Clerk) (uncredited)
Torpedo Run
Captain of the Bluefin
Cry Terror!
Henderson, Bank Representative
- 1957
Man in the Shadow
Jim Shaney
The Tarnished Angels
Ted Baker
The Hired Man
Mr. Clay
Man on Fire
Charles (uncredited)
Circle of the Day
Reporter
The Girl in the Kremlin
Jacob Stalin
The Tattered Dress
Court Clerk
- 1956
Massacre at Sand Creek
Defense Attorney
Raw Edge
Missionary
- 1955
Hell's Horizon
Capt. Ben Morgan
Bobby Ware Is Missing
Police Radio Dispatcher (uncredited)
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Ted Richards · 12 episodes
Top of the World
Harding
Smoke Signal
Private Livingston
- 1954
Black Tuesday
Collins (uncredited)
Down Three Dark Streets
Ben
Tobor the Great
Johnston - a Reporter
Shield for Murder
Asst. Dist. Atty. Andy Tucker
The Raid
Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
Gog
Engle
Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl
Priest (uncredited)
- 1953
Port Sinister
Collins
Sword of Venus
Valmont
Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe
Ted Richards
The Jazz Singer
Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
General Electric Theater
Red Myers · 1 episode
- 1952
Flat Top
Ens. Longfellow
Captive Women
Carver, the Mutate traitor
Death Valley Days
Ellis Higby, Dave Meiser · 1 episode
Storm Over Tibet
Aylen
Paula
Reporter
Hoodlum Empire
Inquiry Clerk
Rose of Cimarron
Gold Bullion Guard
- 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dr. Janeway · 1 episode
Bannerline
Cass
The Red Badge of Courage
Union Soldier (uncredited)
The People Against O'Hara
Intern with Ambulance (uncredited)
- 1950
Lonely Heart Bandits
Dave Clark
1940s
- 1949
Mighty Joe Young
Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Appearances6
2010s
- 2014
Monster Madness: Mutants, Space Invaders, and Drive-Ins
Self
2000s
- 2004
Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen
Self
1990s
- 1996
A Century of Science Fiction
Self
1980s
- 1986
Houston: The Legend of Texas
Narrator (voice)
1970s
- 1979
