R.I.P. – TV and Film Character Actor Bradford Dillman Dies at 87!

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Michael Juvinall in Uncategorized // 0 Comments

It is being reported tonight that wonderful character actor Bradford Dillman has died at the age of 87. He passed away this past Tuesday, January 16th in Santa Barbara, California, due to complications from pneumonia.

Dillman appeared in over 140 films and Television shows throughout his career. He starred in The Way We Were (1973) as Robert Redford’s best friend. You might remember him in The Enforcer (1973) and Sudden Impact (1983) to only mention a couple.

In the 1960’s and 70’s he became a staple in American television shows. He appeared in such shows as Wagon Train (1963), Ben Casey (1964), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1967), Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969), Ironside (1970), Mary Tyler Moore (1972), Columbo (1972), Canon (1972), Wonder Woman (1976), Barnaby Jones (1973), and many more.

But horror fans will remember him from the plethora of genre films and TV shows he appeared in including but not limited to Fear No Evil (TV Movie) (1969), The Mephisto Waltz (1971), Escape From The Planet of the Apes (1971), The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler (1971), Night Gallery (TV Series) – “Pickman’s Model” (1971), The Eyes of Charles Sand (TV Movie) (1972), Moon of the Wolf (TV Movie) (1972) – *My personal favorite*, Bug (1975), Thriller (TV Series) (1975), Demon, Demon (1975), The Dark Secret of Harvest Home (TV Mini-Series) (1978), The Swarm (1978), Piranha (1978), and more.

The lanky actor was born April 14, 1930, in San Francisco, the third of four children, spending summers in Santa Barbara acting in local theater productions.

He later attended Yale University, then entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a lieutenant in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, Dillman auditioned for Lee Strasburg and entered the Actors Studio alongside fellow classmates James Dean and Marilyn Monroe.

His autobiography, Are You Anybody?: An Actor’s Life, was published in 1997. He wrote a book himself, penning Inside the New York Giants, published in 1995.

Survivors include his children Jeffrey, Pamela, Charlie, Christopher and Dinah and stepdaughter Georgia. He was married to Frieda Harding McIntosh. He was also married to model/actress Suzy Parker from 1963 until her death in 2003.

Bradford Dillman was such a familiar face even if you didn’t know his name. He was one of those actors who appeared in so many films and TV shows that you immediately recognized his face.

Although he had been retired for almost 25 years, it is a huge loss to the Hollywood community and he will be sorely missed by all who enjoyed his work.

Everyone here at Horror Patch would like to offer our condolences to Mr. Dillman’s family and friends. May you forever Rest In Peace.