Brandon Maggart

Brandon Maggart, born Roscoe Maggart Jr. on December 12, 1933, in Carthage, Tennessee, is an American actor, painter, and author whose career has spanned stage, film, and television. He began acting in the early 1950s at the University of Tennessee, where he also sang with the Knoxville Symphony. His early studies earned him a Grace Moore Award for further study in New York City.

Upon arriving in New York, Maggart won the Theatre World Award in 1963 for his work in the musical revue Put it in Writing. His Broadway career extended from 1965 to 1980 and included productions such as Applause, Lorelei, We Interrupt This Program..., and Musical Chairs, in which he starred. His performance in Applause brought him a 1970 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

Beyond Broadway, Maggart appeared in the first season of Sesame Street in 1969, playing Buddy in the recurring "Buddy and Jim" sketches alongside James Catusi. His film work includes the role of Cleveland Sam in Dressed to Kill and the title role of Harry Stadling in the cult film Christmas Evil, both released in 1980. In 1982 he portrayed Garp's wrestling coach in The World According to Garp.

Maggart's television career includes a recurring role as George Elliot in the NBC series Jennifer Slept Here with Georgia Engel and Ann Jillian, which ran from 1983 to 1984. From 1984 to 1989, he starred on the Showtime comedy Brothers, playing eldest brother Lou Waters. That role earned him four CableACE Award nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, in 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1989. Following Brothers, he appeared as the Lynn Redgrave character's brother on the sitcom Chicken Soup, had a guest role on the Fox sitcom Babes in 1990 as the ex-husband of Susan Peretz's character Darlene Gilbert, and appeared on Married... with Children in 1997.

In addition to his performing career, Maggart has devoted significant time to painting and writing. His paintings have been featured on the Venice Art Walk, and his poem Diversity in Venice was read at the Venice Centennial in 2005. His first book, Papa's Footprint, is an autobiographical memoir trilogy. Maggart was married to LuJan from 1955 to 1971, and together they have a son, Garett Maggart. He is also the father of Fiona Apple and Maude Maggart with Diane McAfee.