Richard Stahl

Character actor Richard Stahl appeared in 111 film and television productions in his 40-year career. He loved the performing arts since his childhood, when he dabbled in magic tricks. At 15, he moved to California from Detroit to pursue a career in film and television. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He then became involved in the City's off-Broadway theater scene, where he met his wife, actress Kathryn Ish, in 1959. The two were married within the year. The happy couple moved to California in the 1960s, a smart move as Stahl then made his television debut with a one-off on the short-lived sitcom "Hey, Landlord." It proved the start to a long and fruitful career, in which he appeared in such noteworthy films as Jack Nicholson's Oscar-nominated drama "Five Easy Pieces," the office-set comedy "Nine to Five," and Rob Reiner's White House-set romantic comedy, "The American President." However, he may be best remembered for his television career, full of one-offs, recurring roles, and the odd cast position, like his role of Howard Miller on the long-running waitress-centered sitcom "Making a Living," which was originally titled "It's a Living." He made his final onscreen appearance in 1999's daring family drama "The Other Sister." He died seven years later at 74.