Laying on the deck of a US transport ship a blond headed kid no older than 18 encounters a war correspondent and asks to be featured in the work that the journalist is doing. Smiling the journalist asks his name and he responds with Johnny Anderson. "Chicken Anderson" a fellow Marine chortles. and so begins the acting career of one of the greatest supporting actors in Hollywood. Richard Jaeckel.
Jaeckel's career started in 1943 with his first movie, Guadalcanal Diary, and ended after filming the popular TV show Baywatch when he succumbed to cancer. He was 70 years old.
Jaeckel was a US Navy veteran and served in the US Navy from 1944 to 1948. He distinguished himself in many roles but was always the tough guy and in some cases a very nasty villian. Richard returned to the big screen after his Navy stint with Battleground, Sands of Iwo Jima, Jungle Patrol, and City Across the River.
Richard's career would include greats like; The Devils Brigade, Chisum, The Dirty Dozen, and Sometimes a Great Notion which garnered him his only Academy Award Nomination. With over 186 titles to his name Jaekel was one of the most popular supporting actors in the history of the movies. He was also a very able and steady TV actor as well covering many TV series as either a regular or as a character actor. Regular shows include; Banyon, Spenser for Hire, Firehouse, and Baywatch.
Richard Jaeckel, actor: born Long Beach, New York 10 October 1926; married (two sons); died Woodland Hills, California 14 June 1997.
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