William Quinn

One of the most familiar faces on TV in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, he was often seen as a bartender, judge, father, sheriff or military officer. Tall, thin and bald, with a skull-like face, deep-set eyes and a sort of half-smile he was probably best known as a TV actor although he appeared in some classic films. He was born on May 6, 1912 in New York City and made his acting debut at age 2 in the Broadway production “Daddies.” He made his film debut in 1918 at the age of 6 as Billy Quinn and a few films as child star including “The New School Teacher” (1924) as Pupil. He didn’t appear in another film until 36 years later. He worked in all facets of show business including vaudeville, theatre, radio, films and television. He had a successful Broadway career and appeared in “The Bluebird”, “That Smith Boy” and “Winterset.” On radio he performed on such programs as “Just Plain Bill”, “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” and “Front Page Farrell.” His film credits include: “Mountain Road” (1960) as Col. Magnusson, his film debut; “From the Terrace” (1960) as Lawrence Von Elm; “Advise and Consent” (1962) as Sen. Paul Hendershot; Hitchcock’s “The Birds” (1963) as Man in Diner; “Dark Intruder” (1965) as Neighbor; “Love is a Funny Thing” (1969) as Passenger; “How to Frame a Figg” (1971) as Carmoni; “Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies” (1973) as Mortician; “Psychic Killer” (1975) as Hospital Coroner; “Matilda” (1978) as Donohue; “Bustin’ Loose” (1981) as Judge Antonio Runzuli; “Dead & Buried” (1981) as Ernie; “Twilight Zone: The Movie” (1983) as Mr. Conroy; “Lucky Stiff” (1988) as Emmet Kassler and “Star Trek VI: The Final Frontier” (1989) as David McCoy, Dr. McCoy’s Father, his final theatrical film. On TV he was a regular on the series: “The Rifleman” (1958-63) as Sweeney the Bartender; “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1966-67) as Dean Gerald Carter; “McHale’s Navy” (1962-66) as Admiral Benson; “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (1970-77) as Walter Richards, Mary’s Father; “Odd Couple” (1970-75) as Dr. Melnitz; “McMillan and Wife” (1976-77) as Chief Paulson; “Captains and the Kings” (1976) a mini-series, as Dr. Harris Herbert; “All in the Family” [aka “Archie Bunker’s Place”] (1978-83) as Mr. Van Ranseleer; “Backstairs at the White House” (1979) a mini-series and “Scruples” (1980) a mini-series, as Judge Riddle. He appeared in many TV movies including: “The Pigeon” (1969); “Satan’s School for Girls” (1973); “The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case” (1976); “Tail Gunner Joe” (1977) and “Mysterious Two” (1982). He guest starred on numerous TV series including: “Perry Mason”; “Bonanza”; “Wanted: Dead or Alive”; “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”; “The Beverly Hillbillies”; “The Rogues”; “The Fugitive”; “The Big Valley”; “Bewitched”; “The Bob Newhart Show”; “Little House on the Prairie” and “The Rockford Files.” His daughter Virginia married actor Bob Newhart. In fact, Tony Randall, at the wedding, was heard to say, “Look who they got for the father!” He was sometimes billed as William Quinn.He died on April 29, 1994 of natural causes in Carmarillo, California at age 81.