Rick Lenz (born November 21, 1939, Springfield, Illinois) is an American actor, author and playwright. Lenz is known for his performances in the films Cactus Flower (1969), The Shootist (1976), and Melvin and Howard (1980).
Early career Lenz was educated at the University of Michigan and New York University.. He directed the Jackson, Michigan, Civic Theater for two years before relocating to New York to seek work as an actor. In 1965, he made his Broadway debut in Mating Dance, starring Van Johnson. Though the show closed opening night, stage impresario David Merrick was in the audience, and soon afterward cast Lenz in the Broadway hit Cactus Flower as understudy for the juvenile lead role, Igor Sullivan. Lenz later took over the role and played it for a year. Film producer Mike Frankovich and Walter Matthau saw him in the part and cast him as Igor in the film version, with Goldie Hawn.
In the 1970s, Lenz appeared in several Hollywood movies, including How Do I Love Thee? (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Where Does It Hurt? (1972), The Shootist (1976), The Little Dragons (1980), and Melvin and Howard (1980).
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1969 Cactus Flower Igor Sullivan 1970 How Do I Love Thee? Tom Waltz 1971 Scandalous John Jimmy Whitaker 1972 Where Does It Hurt? Lester Hammond 1976 The Shootist Dobkins Credited as Richard Lenz1979 The Little Dragons Dick Forbinger 1980 Melvin and Howard Lawyer 2002 Home Room Bereaved Father 2002 Tequila Express Gov. Jeffries
Television Year Title Role Notes1968-69 Green Acres Brian Williams/Young Man 4 episodes 1969 Doc Dr. Orville Television Movie1972 Ironside Larry Van Buren Episode: Achilles Heel1972 Marcus Welby, M.D. Don Malory Episode: Don and Denise 1973 Circle of Fear Dr. Stephen Crosley Episode: Square Parts1973 Love, American Style Mike Episode: Love and the Growing Romance1971-74 Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law Various roles 3 episodes1972-74 Hec Ramsey Chief Oliver Stamp 10 episodes1974 Lucas Tanner Chuck Lindstrom Episode: A Question of Privacy1975 Violence in Blue Performer Television Movie1975 Ladies of the Corridor Charles Nicols Television Movie1975 The Six Million Dollar Man Michael Marchetti 2 episodes1975 Medical Story Dr. Donahue Episode: A Life in the Balance 1975 Police Woman Nick Tibbett Episode: Pattern for Evil 1975 Kate McShane Performer Episode: Publish or Perish 1976 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Paramedic 2 episodes1976 The Bionic Woman Dr. Michael Marchetti 2 episodes1977 McMillan & Wife Father Matheson Episode: Dark Sunrise1977 The Streets of San Francisco Dave Episode: One Last Trick1978 Fantasy Island Adam Parks Episode: Carnival/The Vaudevillians1980 One Day at a Time Arnold Bates Episode: Triple Play1980 Reunion Walker Hanson Television Movie1980 Vega$ Doctor Episode: Black Cat Killer1981 Elvis and the Beauty Queen David Briggs Television Film 1981 Dynasty Dr. Jordan 3 episodes1981 Palmerstown, U.S.A. Tad Episode: Dry Hole1981 Advise to the Lovehorn Prof. Jonas Miller Television Movie1981 T.J. Hooker Dr. Damon Segal Episode: God Bless the Child1982 Lou Grant Sam Valentine Episode: Blacklist1982 Insight Brad Episode: The Fiddler1982 Cagney & Lacey Colton Wyler Episode: Hot Line1982 Silver Spoons Jack Thompson Episode: The Best Christmas Ever1983 Masquerade Norman Weber Episode: Diamonds1983 The Greatest American Hero Dr. Mor Episode: Desperado 1984 Automan Ronald Tilson Episode: The Biggest Game in Town1984 Airwolf Moses Episode: Proof Through the Night1984 Magnum P.I. Richard Hasley Episode: Trans Quoc Jones1983-1985 Simon & Simon Various Roles 3 episodes1985 Malice in Wonderland Iceman Television Movie1986 All Is Forgiven Francois Ronning Episode: On Air Commitment 1986 You Again? Pierce Episode: Marry Me a Little1986 Falcon Crest Dr. Jesset 2 episodes1987 In Self Defense Chris Fowler Television Movie1987 The New Adventures of Beans Baxter Benjamin Baxter Sr. 4 episodes1988 The Law & Harry McGraw Charlie Garrett Episode: Marginnis for the People1989 Spooner Sheriff Reynolds Television Movie1990 The Trials of Rosie O'Neill Conway Episode: Mr. Right1991 Shadow of a Doubt Herb Television Movie1992 P.S.I. Luv U Dr. Walter Flint Episode: The Chameleon 1992 FBI: The Untold Stories Bernie Episode: Ring of Hostages1993 Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host Nick Scanlon Television Movie1987-96 Murder, She Wrote Various Roles 2 episodes1996 Wings Jerry Episode: What about Larry?1997 Home Improvement Dr. Matthews Episode: The Flirting Game1997 Baywatch Dr. Gold Episode: Heal the Bay2001 Strong Medicine Joe Tucker Episode: Drugstore Cowgirl2003 The Practice Airline Representative Episode: The Heat of Passion2012 Treelore Theatre Lonny/Mack 2 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Venue1965 Mating Dance Jeff Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway1965-68 Cactus Flower Igor Royale Theatre, Broadway
Personal life As of 2017, Lenz resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Linda; the couple married in May 1982. He has three children; sons Scott and Charlie, and daughter, Abigail.
References
External links from the original on January 28, 2019.