Richard Schaal

Richard Schaal (May 5, 1928 – November 4, 2014) was an American actor born in Chicago, Illinois, who worked across stage, film, and television. His father, Victor Cornelius Schaal, was a machinist, and his mother, Margaret Semple Waddell, worked as a telephone operator.

Schaal began building his comedic foundation in 1962 when he joined Chicago's Second City, where he developed expertise in sketch and improvisational comedy. His Broadway career spanned from 1967 to 1971, with credits including Little Murders, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and Paul Sills' Story Theatre. His television work began at least as early as 1966, when he appeared in the Dick Van Dyke Show episode "Dear Sally Rogers," billed at that time as Dick Schaal.

On the small screen, Schaal became a recognizable presence in several prominent 1970s sitcoms. He appeared in The Mary Tyler Moore Show in four distinct roles: Howard Arnell, his brother Paul, Chuckles the Clown, and Dino. On The Bob Newhart Show, he portrayed three separate characters — Don Fezler, Don Livingston, and Chuck Brock. He played Charlie Burke in Rhoda and appeared in 23 episodes of Phyllis as Leo Heatherton. In 1983, he took on a recurring role in Just Our Luck. He also co-wrote the 1970 Love, American Style episode "Love and the Visitor" with Valerie Harper.

Schaal was married three times. His first marriage was to Lois Treacy, with whom he had a daughter, actress Wendy Schaal. His second marriage was to actress Valerie Harper, alongside whom he appeared in both The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda. His third marriage was to Tasha Brittain.

Schaal died on November 4, 2014, in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at the age of 86. No cause of death was reported. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.