Richard Paul (June 6, 1940 – December 25, 1998) was an American television and film actor. In addition to starring in the 1970s television sitcom Carter Country, he had recurring roles on the later series Murder, She Wrote and Full House. He portrayed Jerry Falwell Sr. in two separate productions after having played a character based on Falwell for an episode of WKRP in Cincinnati.
Early life Paul was born in Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public affairs from Claremont Men's College and a Master of Arts degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles. He was nearing completion of a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona in Tucson when he abandoned his career as a therapist to become a full-time performer.
Career From 1977 to 1979, Paul played Mayor Teddy Burnside in Carter Country. His famous catchphrase was "Handle it, Roy, handle it!".
He costarred in the ABC comedy One in a Million, which aired for one season in 1980, and on an episode of M*A*S*H as Capt. Bill Bainbridge.
Paul was also a frequent panelist on Match Game from 1978 to 1982, and later played the recurring character of Cabot Cove mayor Sam Booth in Murder, She Wrote. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he also had a recurring role as television station manager Mr. Strowbridge on Full House.
In the 1981 WKRP in Cincinnati episode "Clean Up Radio Everywhere", Paul played Rev. Bob Halyers, a character inspired by evangelist Jerry Falwell. Paul later portrayed Falwell in the 1990 television movie Fall From Grace about Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and then in the 1996 theatrical release The People vs. Larry Flynt.
Paul appeared in the film Eating Raoul (1982), written and directed by Paul Bartel. Also in 1982, he costarred on the short-lived sitcom Herbie, the Love Bug. He later appeared in Bartel's short film The Secret Cinema, which was part of the Amazing Stories series on television, and in Bartel’s Not for Publication.
Personal life Paul volunteered with Actors and Others for Animals and served on its board of directors. He also served on the mental-health advisory board for Los Angeles County and volunteered at childhood immunization clinics for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. He read books into tapes by special request at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles.
He married Patty Oestereich on September 7, 1968, in Pasadena, California, and they remained married until his death.
Death Paul died of cancer at age 58 on December 25, 1998, at his home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1975 Coonskin Sonny Voice, Uncredited 1977 Exorcist II: The Heretic Man on the Plane 1982 Eating Raoul Mr. Cray 1983 The Man Who Wasn't There Pudgy Aide 1984 Not for Publication Troppogrosso 1986 Uphill All the Way Thaddeus Dillman 1987 The Princess Academy Drago Project X Lead Ape Uncredited 1988 Pass the Ammo G.W. Wraith 1992 Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight Goddard 1994 Beanstalk Mayor Cecil Boggs 1996 The Glass Cage Mr. Silkerman The People vs. Larry Flynt Reverend Jerry Falwell Mind Games Dean Meyer 2000 The Independent Jeffries (final film role)
Television Year Title Role Notes 1976 Maude Mr. Bell Episode: "Carol's Promotion" (S 4:Ep 23) Emergency! Tom Ellis Episode: "The Game" (S 6:Ep 1) Holmes and Yoyo Claude Episode: "Connection, Connection II" (S 1:Ep 11) 1977–78 Carter Country Mayor Teddy Burnside Main cast 1978 Space Force D.O.R.C. voice 1979 CHiPs Himself (uncredited role) Episode: "Roller Disco, part 2" (S 3:Ep 2) Fantasy Island Colonel Hank Sutton Episode: "The Handy Man / Tattoo's Romance" (S 3:EP 8)1980 The Love Boat Floyd Schofield Episodes: "Kinfolk/Sis and the Slicker/Moonlight and Moonshine/Too Close for Comfort/The Affair, parts 1 and 2" (S 3:Eps. 18-19) Disneyland Al Mathews Episode: "The Sultan and the Rock Star" (S 26:Ep 14) Himself Episode: "Disneyland's 25th Anniversary Show" (S 27:Ep1) One in a Million Barton Stone Main cast CHiPs Himself (uncredited role) Episode: "The Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party, part 2" (S 4:Ep 6) Eight is Enough Chuck Episode: "Strike" (S 5:Ep 8) M*A*S*H Captain Bainbridge Episode: "Letters" (S 9:Ep 2) 1981 The Dukes of Hazzard Clyde Amos Episode: "By-Line, Daisy Duke" (S 3:Ep 18) WKRP in Cincinnati Dr. Bob Halyers Episode: "Clean Up Radio Everywhere" (S 3:Ep 22) 1982 Herbie, the Love Bug Bo Phillips Main cast Gimme a Break! Stanley Nichols Episode: "Nell Goes Door to Door" (S 2:Ep 10) Happy Days Dick Episode: "All I Want for Christmas" (S 10:Ep 10) 1983 Quincy, M.E. Boxwell Episode: "Quincy's Wedding, parts 1 and 2" (S 8:Ep 17-18) At Ease Crenshaw Episode: "Valentine's Day" (S 1:Ep 12) |- ! scope="row" | 1985 | Hail To the Chief| Rev. Billy Joe Bickerstaff | Main cast |- ! scope="row" | 1986–87 | The New Gidget| Wilton Parmenter | 4 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 1986 | Amazing Stories| Mr. Krupp | Episode: "Secret Cinema" (S 1:Ep 20) |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 1987 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King| Tagsworth | Episode: "Do You Take This Spy?" (S 4:Ep 16) |- | 227| Mr. Davis | Episode: "The Audit" (S 2:Ep16) |- | Married... with Children| Sheriff | Episode: "Poppy's By the Tree, part 2" ( S2:Ep 2) |- ! scope="row" | 1987–91 | Murder, She Wrote| Mayor Sam Booth | 7 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 1988–95 | Full House| Mr. Strowbridge | 6 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 1990 | Fall from Grace| Jerry Falwell |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 1991 | Beverly Hills 90210| Bob Barnett | '''Episode: "B.Y.O.B." (S 1:Ep 11) |- | Out of This World | Tex | Episode: "Would You Buy a Used Car From This Dude" (S 4:Ep 16) |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 1992 | Who's the Boss? | Minister | Episode: "Better Off Wed, part 2" (S 8:Ep 18) |- | Herman's Head | Mr. Fitzer | Episode: "A Charlie Brown Fitzer" (S 2:Ep 13) |- ! scope="row" | 1994 | RoboCop: The Series| Reverend Bob Taker | Episode: "Prime Suspect" (S 1:Ep3) |- ! scope="row" | 1996 | The Drew Carey Show| Burt | Episode: "Something Wick This Way Comes" (S 2:Ep 2) |- ! scope="row" | 1997 | Roseanne'' Mayor Episode: "Lanford's Elite, part 1" (S 9:Ep 16)
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