William Joseph Schallert (July 6, 1922 – May 8, 2016) was an American character actor who appeared in dozens of television shows and films over a career spanning more than 60 years. He is known for his roles on Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957–1959), Death Valley Days (1955–1962), and The Patty Duke Show (1963–1966).
Schallert was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edwin Francis Schallert, a longtime drama critic for the Los Angeles Times, and Elza Emily Schallert (née Baumgarten), a magazine writer and radio host. He began acting while a student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) but left to become an Army Air Corps fighter pilot in World War II. He returned to UCLA after the war and graduated in 1946.
After graduating from UCLA, Schallert began his acting career in the theater. He appeared in several productions at the Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, including a staging of W. Somerset Maugham's Rain in 1948, which was directed by Charlie Chaplin.
Schallert made his television debut in 1951, and he quickly became a familiar face on the small screen. He appeared in numerous guest roles on shows such as The Adventures of Superman, The Twilight Zone, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He also had recurring roles on The Patty Duke Show, The Nancy Drew Mysteries, and The Torkelsons.
In addition to his work on television, Schallert also appeared in several films, including The Bridges of Toko-Ri (1954), The Apartment (1960), and The Sting (1973).
Schallert died in Pacific Palisades, California, in 2016, at the age of 93. He was survived by his wife, Leah Waggner, and their four children.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Green Lantern: First Flight (2009) | Appa Ali Apsa (voice) | 7.1 |
| 2 | Recount (2008) | Justice John Paul Stevens | 6 |
| 3 | The Second Civil War (1997) | Secretary of Defense | 5 |
| 4 | Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994) | Judge Boone | - |
| 5 | Beethoven's 2nd (1993) | Steve - M.C. at Pet & Owner Burger Binge (uncredited) | 5.2 |
| 6 | Matinee (1993) | Dr. Grabow (uncredited) | 7.3 |
| 7 | House Party 2 (1991) | Dean Kramer | 8 |
| 8 | The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy (1987) | Willem (voice) | 7 |
| 9 | Innerspace (1987) | Dr. Greenbush | 7.6 |
| 10 | Gremlins (1984) | Father Bartlett (uncredited) | 7.6 |
| 11 | Through Naked Eyes (1983) | Terry Parrish | 6 |
| 12 | Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) | Father | 7.1 |
| 13 | Hangar 18 (1980) | Professor Mills | 1 |
| 14 | Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) | Retired Man | - |
| 15 | The Jerk (1979) | Judge M.A. Loring | 7.5 |
| 16 | The Strongest Man in the World (1975) | Prof. Quigley | - |
| 17 | Charley Varrick (1973) | Bill Horton | 5.3 |
| 18 | Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) | CIA Director Grauber | 7.2 |
| 19 | The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) | Professor Quigley | 6 |
| 20 | Speedway (1968) | Abel Esterlake | 6 |
| 21 | Will Penny (1967) | Dr. Fraker | 8 |
| 22 | In the Heat of the Night (1967) | Mayor Schubert | 7.6 |
| 23 | Lonely are the Brave (1962) | Harry | 10 |
| 24 | The Beat Generation (1959) | Father Dinelli | 4 |
| 25 | Day of the Outlaw (1959) | - | - |
| 26 | Pillow Talk (1959) | Hotel Clerk | 6.3 |
| 27 | Cry Terror! (1958) | Henderson, Bank Representative | 6 |
| 28 | Some Came Running (1958) | Al (Jewelry Store Clerk) (uncredited) | 7 |
| 29 | The Tattered Dress (1957) | Court Clerk | 4 |
| 30 | The Tarnished Angels (1957) | Ted Baker | 7 |
| 31 | The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) | Doctor Arthur Bramson | 7.2 |
| 32 | The Monolith Monsters (1957) | Weatherman | 5 |
| 33 | Written on the Wind (1956) | Reporter | 7.5 |
| 34 | Gunslinger (1956) | Marshal Scott Hood | 1 |
| 35 | The High and the Mighty (1954) | Dispatcher | 3 |
| 36 | Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954) | Reporter | 8 |
| 37 | Them! (1954) | Ambulance Attendant | 6.3 |
| 38 | The Raid (1954) | Rebel Soldier (uncredited) | 6 |
| 39 | Black Tuesday (1954) | Collins (uncredited) | 5 |
| 40 | Shield for Murder (1954) | Asst. Dist. Atty. Andy Tucker | 5 |
| 41 | Hoodlum Empire (1952) | Inquiry Clerk | 4 |
| 42 | Singin' in the Rain (1952) | Messenger on Screen (uncredited) | 8.1 |
| 43 | The Red Badge of Courage (1951) | Union Soldier (uncredited) | 7 |
| 44 | The People Against O'Hara (1951) | Intern with Ambulance (uncredited) | 5 |
| 45 | Mighty Joe Young (1949) | Gas Station Attendant (uncredited) | 7 |
| 46 | The Reckless Moment (1949) | Police Lieutenant (uncredited) | - |
