While attending the university, Simmons competed in fencing and swimming, and also acted in a few theater productions. Simmons left the Twin Cities in the 1930s to launch his film acting career in 1937. He soon became an MGM contract player. Many of his minor movie roles went uncredited through the 1940s. One even included his portrayal of a Mountie in King of the Royal Mounted produced by Republic Pictures.
Starting in 1943, he began appearing in credited roles, beginning with his appearance in The Youngest Profession, starring Virginia Weidler. From 1943 through 1949, he appeared in 17 films, of which 10 listed him in the credits.
The 1950s mirrored the 1940s, with his appearing in several films and television series, at times uncredited. In 1952, he played the co-pilot in Above and Beyond. In 1955, Simmons won his best-known role, portraying Sergeant William Preston in Sergeant Preston of the Yukon. Following the end of the series in 1958, he continued to have a successful acting career, mostly in television series guest appearances, through 1982. Simmons appeared in a 1963 episode of Perry Mason ("The Case of the Decadent Dean"). In 1964, he appeared in the episode "Tin Can Man" (aired November 5, 1964) of The Munsters as Harold Balding, the principal of Eddie Munster's school. His last role was in a 1982 episode of CHiPs.[1]
Later life and deathedit
In the 1970s, when acting roles became scarce, Simmons managed a mobile home park in Carlsbad, near San Diego.[1] Towards the end of his life, Simmons was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He died on January 11, 2003, at the age of 89, in an Oceanside, California, nursing home[4]
Referencesedit
^ abcDennis McLellan, Richard Simmons Actor, Calgary Herald (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), January 18, 2003, page 138
^Harmon, Jim (14 January 2011). Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media. McFarland. p. 22. ISBN978-0-7864-8508-6. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
^ abMcLellan, Dennis (January 14, 2003). "Dick Simmons, 89; Played Sgt. Preston in 1950s Television Series". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
richard, simmons, actor, richard, simmons, august, 1913, january, 2003, american, actor, richard, dick, simmonssimmons, sergeant, preston, with, yukon, king, 1955born, 1913, august, 1913saint, paul, minnesota, diedjanuary, 2003, 2003, aged, oceanside, californ. Richard Simmons August 19 1913 January 11 2003 was an American actor Richard Dick SimmonsSimmons as Sergeant Preston with Yukon King 1955Born 1913 08 19 August 19 1913Saint Paul Minnesota U S DiedJanuary 11 2003 2003 01 11 aged 89 Oceanside California U S Occupation s Motion picture and television actorYears active1937 1982Spouse s Joni Simmons m 1941 1987 her death Billie Simmons m 2002 2003 wbr his death Children2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Later life and death 4 References 5 External linksEarly life editSimmons was born in Saint Paul Minnesota and his family later moved across the Mississippi River to Minneapolis There he attended West Side High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied drama 1 Simmons was a professional pilot 2 Career editWhile attending the university Simmons competed in fencing and swimming and also acted in a few theater productions Simmons left the Twin Cities in the 1930s to launch his film acting career in 1937 He soon became an MGM contract player Many of his minor movie roles went uncredited through the 1940s One even included his portrayal of a Mountie in King of the Royal Mounted produced by Republic Pictures Starting in 1943 he began appearing in credited roles beginning with his appearance in The Youngest Profession starring Virginia Weidler From 1943 through 1949 he appeared in 17 films of which 10 listed him in the credits Simmons interrupted his film career to serve as a flight officer pilot 3 with the Air Transport Command in World War II 4 The 1950s mirrored the 1940s with his appearing in several films and television series at times uncredited In 1952 he played the co pilot in Above and Beyond In 1955 Simmons won his best known role portraying Sergeant William Preston in Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Following the end of the series in 1958 he continued to have a successful acting career mostly in television series guest appearances through 1982 Simmons appeared in a 1963 episode of Perry Mason The Case of the Decadent Dean In 1964 he appeared in the episode Tin Can Man aired November 5 1964 of The Munsters as Harold Balding the principal of Eddie Munster s school His last role was in a 1982 episode of CHiPs 1 Later life and death editIn the 1970s when acting roles became scarce Simmons managed a mobile home park in Carlsbad near San Diego 1 Towards the end of his life Simmons was diagnosed with Alzheimer s disease He died on January 11 2003 at the age of 89 in an Oceanside California nursing home 4 References edit a b c Dennis McLellan Richard Simmons Actor Calgary Herald Calgary Alberta Canada January 18 2003 page 138 Harmon Jim 14 January 2011 Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its Appearances in Film Television and Other Media McFarland p 22 ISBN 978 0 7864 8508 6 Retrieved January 10 2021 Look February 6 1945 a b McLellan Dennis January 14 2003 Dick Simmons 89 Played Sgt Preston in 1950s Television Series The Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2010 12 07 External links edit nbsp Biography portalRichard Simmons at IMDb Richard Simmons at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Richard Simmons actor amp oldid 1176403536, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
