Peter Mark Richman at Brian's Drive-In Theater

biography

Born Marvin Jack Richman on April 16, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, actor Peter Mark Richman was the youngest of five children born to a paper hanger and his wife. As a child Richman studied art at the Philadelphia Graphic Sketch Club. When he went to college, however, he majored in pharmacy and, once out of college, worked in a drug store in eastern Pennsylvania for some time but abandoned his career for the stage. Acting in loads of off-Broadway productions in Philadelphia and New York, Richman began taking roles in New York-based television series in the early 1950s. He made his film debut in Friendly Persuasion (1956; with Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire) after director William Wyler saw Richman in a play and decided to cast him in a supporting role. His next film was the Columbia drama The Strange One (1957; with Ben Gazzara), which he followed up with the low-budget crime drama Girls on the Loose (1958; with Mara Corday).

As much television production shifted from New York to the west coast by the late 1950s, Richman relocated his family to Los Angeles in 1961 after he was cast as the star of the NBC series Cain's Hundred (1961-1962). While the series lasted for just one season, throughout the 1960s Richman was in demand on television, making guest appearances on such series as The Outer Limits, The Wild Wild West, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. On occasion he also tackled film roles in For Singles Only (1968; with Chris Noel and Lana Wood) and Yuma (1971; with Clint Walker and Bruce Glover). In addition to his prolific work on television and in film, Richman also began writing plays in the mid 1960s. Around the time he was cast in the ABC series Longstreet (1971–1972), he added "Peter" to his professional name.

the films of peter mark richman

Friendly Persuasion (1956)

Peter Mark Richman's first film was the western Friendly Persuasion. Also pictured is Gary Cooper

The Strange One (1957)

With Ben Gazzara in the Columbia drama The Strange One

The Black Orchid (1958)

From the Paramount drama The Black Orchid with Ina Balin

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955-1962 CBS/NBC TV Series)

With Cara Williams in a 1960 episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents titled The Cure

Cain's Hundred (1961-1962 NBC TV Series)

Peter Mark Richman and Dorothy Dandridge

LEFT: With Fay Spain from an episode of Richman's series Cain's Hundred titled Murder by Proxy. RIGHT: With Dorothy Dandridge in a 1962 episode titled Blues for a Junkman: Arthur Troy

The Twilight Zone (1959-1964 CBS TV Series)

From a May 1964 episode of The Twilight Zone titled The Fear with Hazel Court

Profiles in Courage (1964-1965 NBC TV Series)

With Henry Jones in a 1965 episode of the NBC series Profiles in Courage titled Hamilton Fish

Dark Intruder (1965)

As the sinister Robert Vandenburg in the Universal horror flick Dark Intruder. This film was actually shot as a TV pilot but was released to theaters when the pilot was not picked up for a series

Agent for H.A.R.M. (1966)

From the Universal spy flick Agent for H.A.R.M.. This film was originally lensed as a television series pilot but was released to theaters

For Singles Only (1968)

From the Columbia comedy romp For Singles Only. LEFT: With Chris Noel. RIGHT: With Lana Wood

It Takes a Thief (1968-1970 ABC TV Series)

With Richard Carlson in a January 1969 episode of the ABC series It Takes a Thief

House on Greenapple Road (1970)

Christopher George and Peter Mark Richman

With Christopher George in the ABC made-for-TV crime drama House on Greenapple Road

Longstreet (1971-1972 ABC TV Series)

Richman starred alongside James Franciscus in the short-lived ABC crime drama Longstreet

Three's Company (1976-1984 ABC TV Series)

Richman portrayed Reverend Snow, the father of Suzanne Somers, in several late 1970s episodes of Three's Company

later years

Richman's career on television remained strong in the 1970s through the 1990s, and he also acted in several films during that period, including Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989; with Todd Shaffer) and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991; with Leslie Nielsen). Into his late 80s he continued to work in films and stage productions yet spent considerable time and effort to raise awareness of ageism in Hollywood. Casting directors often overlook these seasoned thespians, thinking they have limited audience appeal. And as advertisers covet a younger demographic, many older viewers (who actually watch more television than younger groups) feel disenfranchised and underrepresented. After a long life and a great body of work, Peter Mark Richman passed away on January 14, 2021, at the age of 93. He is survived by his wife, their five children, and six grandchildren.

filmography

FILM
Mysteria (2011) with Robert Miano, Danny Glover, Martin Landau, and Billy Zane
After the Wizard (2011) with Orien Richman, Helen Richman, and Loren Lester
The Desperate (2009) with Greg Mullavey
Vic (2006) with Clu Gulager, Carol Lynley, Gregory Sierra, John Phillip Law, and Gary Frank
Poolhall Junkies (2002) with Chazz Palminteri, Rick Schroder, and Rod Steiger
4 Faces (1999) with Nehemiah Persoff
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) with Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson, Robert Goulet, and Lloyd Bochner
Mystery of the Keys (1991) with Richard Dysart
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) with Scott Reeves
Judgement Day (1988) with Monte Markham and Cesar Romero
Bonanza: The Next Generation (1988) with Robert Fuller, John Ireland, John Amos, Barbara Anderson, Kevin Hagen, and Dabbs Greer
City Killer (1984) with Gerald McRaney, Heather Locklear, and Terence Knox
Dempsey (1983) with Treat Williams, Sam Waterston, Sally Kellerman, and Victoria Tennant
PSI Factor (1980) with Gretchen Corbett
The Islander (1978) with Dennis Weaver, Sharon Gless, Bernadette Peters, Robert Vaughn, and Sheldon Leonard
Mallory: Circumstantial Evidence (1976) with Raymond Burr, Robert Loggia, Mark Hamill, and A Martinez
Yuma (1971) with Clint Walker, Barry Sullivan, Edgar Buchanan, Morgan Woodward, John Kerr, and Bruce Glover
House on Greenapple Road (1970) with Christopher George, Janet Leigh, Julie Harris, Walter Pidgeon, Barry Sullivan, Keenan Wynn, William Windom, Lynda Day George, Edward Asner, and Eve Plumb
For Singles Only (1968) with John Saxon, Mary Ann Mobley, Lana Wood, Ann Elder, Chris Noel, Marty Ingels, and Hortense Petra
Day of the Evil Gun (1968) with Glenn Ford, Arthur Kennedy, Dean Jagger, John Anderson, Harry Dean Stanton, Parley Baer, and Royal Dano
Agent for H.A.R.M. (1966) with Wendell Corey, Carl Esmond, Barbara Bouchet, Martin Kosleck, Donna Michelle, Rafael Campos, Robert Quarry, and Robert Donner
Dark Intruder (1965) with Leslie Nielsen, Judi Meredith, Werner Klemperer, and Vaughn Taylor
The Murder Men (1961) with Dorothy Dandridge, James Coburn, Ivan Dixon, and Edward Asner
The Black Orchid (1958) with Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, Naomi Stevens, and Whit Bissell
Girls on the Loose (1958) with Mara Corday, Barbara Bostock, Lita Milan, and Abby Dalton
The Strange One (1957) with Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle, Clifton James, and George Peppard
Friendly Persuasion (1956) with Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, and Anthony Perkins

TELEVISION SERIES
Santa Barbara, 1984-1993 NBC daytime drama. Richman portrayed C.C. Capwell during the 1984 season
Dynasty, 1981-1989 ABC TV series. Richman portrayed Andrew Laird from 1981 to 1984
Longstreet, 1971-1972 ABC TV series. Richman portrayed Duke Paige
Cain's Hundred, 1961-1962 NBC TV series. Richman portrayed Nicholas Cain

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Nothing Sacred, episode Roman Catholic Holiday, originally aired October 16, 1997
Beverly Hills, 90210, episode Addicted to Love, originally aired February 16, 1994
Beverly Hills, 90210, episode And Did It... My Way, originally aired November 10, 1993
Beverly Hills, 90210, episode Moving Targets, originally aired October 20, 1993
Beverly Hills, 90210, episode Strangers in the Night, originally aired October 13, 1993
Swamp Thing, episode Falco, originally aired November 9, 1990
Matlock, episode The Other Woman, originally aired February 21, 1989
Star Trek: The Next Generation, episode The Neutral Zone, originally aired May 14, 1988
Supercarrier, episode All in the Game, originally aired March 13, 1988
Hotel, episode Double Take, originally aired January 2, 1988
Murder, She Wrote, episode Deadline for Murder, originally aired November 16, 1986
Wildfire, episode Strangers in the Night, originally aired November 8, 1986
Too Close for Comfort, episode Muriel's Fish Story, originally aired July 19, 1986
T.J. Hooker, episode Death Trip, originally aired May 14, 1986
Hardcastle and McCormick, episode Round Up the Old Gang, originally aired February 17, 1986
Crazy Like a Fox, episode Is There a Fox in the House?, originally aired December 22, 1985
Knight Rider, episode Many Happy Returns, originally aired November 15, 1985
Finder of Lost Loves, episode Connections, originally aired April 13, 1985
Hotel, episode Anniversary, originally aired February 20, 1985
The Love Boat, episode Ace Takes a Holiday/The Runaway/Courier, originally aired February 9, 1985
Knight Rider, episode Goliath Returns: Part 1, originally aired February 19, 1984
Fantasy Island, episode Love Island/The Sisters, originally aired May 14, 1983
The Fall Guy, episode How Do I Kill Thee... Let Me Count the Ways, originally aired December 22, 1982
Hart to Hart, episode Harts at High Noon, originally aired November 9, 1982
Fantasy Island, episode King Arthur in Mr. Roarke's Court/Shadow Games, originally aired January 23, 1982
The Incredible Hulk, episode Triangle, originally aired November 13, 1981
Hart to Hart, episode The Murder of Jonathan Hart, originally aired April 28, 1981
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, episode The Fastest Women Around, originally aired January 13, 1981
Galactica 1980, episode The Night the Cylons Landed: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired April 13 and 20, 1980
Vega$, episode Golden Gate Cop Killer: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired March 19, 1980
B.J. and the Bear, episode B.J. and the Witch, originally aired February 9, 1980
Three's Company, episode The Reverend Steps Out, originally aired December 18, 1979
Charlie's Angels, episode Cruising Angels, originally aired December 12, 1979
Three's Company, episode Triangle Troubles, originally aired May 15, 1979
Starsky and Hutch, episode Ninety Pounds of Trouble, originally aired February 6, 1979
240-Robert, episode Oil and Water, originally aired January 3, 1979
The New Adventures of Wonder Woman, episode Gault's Brain, originally aired December 29, 1978
Vega$, episode Lost Women, originally aired November 22, 1978
Sword of Justice, episode Girl on the Edge, originally aired October 28, 1978
Fantasy Island, episode I Want to Get Married/The Jewel Thief, originally aired October 21, 1978
Dallas, episode Old Acquaintance, originally aired October 7, 1978
Three's Company, episode Chrissy Come Home, originally aired February 28, 1978
The Six Million Dollar Man, episode Date with Danger: Part 2, originally aired February 27, 1978
Fantasy Island, episode Lady of the Evening/The Racer, originally aired February 25, 1978
The Bionic Woman, episode Escape to Love, originally aired November 26, 1977
Quincy M.E., episode A Question of Time, originally aired October 14, 1977
Dog and Cat, episode Yesterday's Woman, originally aired May 14, 1977
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, episode Return of the Pharaoh: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired December 18 and 25, 1976
Family, episode Skeleton in the Closet, originally aired December 7, 1976
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, episode The Pharaoh: Parts 1 and 2, originally aired November 20 and 27, 1976
Baretta, episode Street Edition, originally aired October 13, 1976
Bert D'Angelo/Superstar, episode Flannagan's Fleet, originally aired June 5, 1976
Cannon, episode Madman, originally aired March 3, 1976
Switch, episode Big Deal in Paradise, originally aired February 24, 1976
Police Story, episode The Long Ball, originally aired February 13, 1976
Barnaby Jones, episode Silent Vendetta, originally aired January 29, 1976
Medical Story, episode The God Syndrome, originally aired September 18, 1975
Police Story, episode Officer Needs Help, originally aired September 9, 1975
Petrocelli, episode A Night of Terror, originally aired April 2, 1975
Caribe, episode The Survivor, originally aired March 3, 1975
Ironside, episode The Far Side of the Fence, originally aired November 21, 1974
McCloud, episode The 42nd Street Cavalry, originally aired November 17, 1974
Barnaby Jones, episode Dead Man's Run, originally aired September 17, 1974
Get Christie Love!, episode Market for Murder, originally aired September 11, 1974
Apple's Way, episode The Temptation, originally aired April 7, 1974
The F.B.I., episode The Animal, originally aired February 17, 1974
Police Story, episode The Ripper, originally aired February 12, 1974
Hawkins, episode Murder in the Slave Trade, originally aired January 22, 1974
The Wide World of Mystery, episode Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest, originally aired January 1, 1974
The Streets of San Francisco, episode Shield of Honor, originally aired November 15, 1973
The New Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Horoscope Homicide, originally aired September 16, 1973
Search, episode Numbered for Death, originally aired January 31, 1973
Marcus Welby, M.D., episode Who Are You Arthur Kolinski?, originally aired January 16, 1973
Mission: Impossible, episode Underground, originally aired October 28, 1972
The F.B.I., episode The Gopher, originally aired October 15, 1972
Banacek, episode Project Phoenix, originally aired September 27, 1972
The F.B.I., episode The Natural, originally aired March 14, 1971
The Virginian, episode Tate, Ramrod, originally aired February 24, 1971
The Young Lawyers, episode Legal Maneuver, originally aired January 20, 1971
Mission: Impossible, episode My Friend, My Enemy, originally aired October 24, 1970
The Silent Force, episode A Deadly Game of Love, originally aired October 5, 1970
Insight, episode The Whole Damn Human Race and One More, originally aired September 6, 1970
Insight, episode Prometheus Bound, originally aired May 8, 1970
McCloud, episode Portrait of a Dead Girl, originally aired February 17, 1970
The F.B.I., episode Return to Power, originally aired February 15, 1970
Mission: Impossible, episode Gitano, originally aired February 1, 1970
Land of the Giants, episode Panic, originally aired January 25, 1970
Mannix, episode Walk with a Dead Man, originally aired January 10, 1970
Insight, episode Cry of Terror, originally aired January 9, 1970
The Name of the Game, episode Laurie Marie, originally aired December 19, 1969
Lancer, episode Angel Day and Her Sunshine Girls, originally aired February 25, 1969
Hawaii Five-O, episode Along Came Joey, originally aired February 12, 1969
It Takes a Thief, episode The Naked Billionaire, originally aired January 28, 1969
My Friend Tony, episode Corey Doesn't Live Here Anymore, originally aired January 5, 1969
Bonanza, episode A World Full of Cannibals, originally aired December 22, 1968
The Name of the Game, episode Pineapple Rose, originally aired December 20, 1968
The F.B.I., episode Breakthrough, originally aired November 17, 1968
The F.B.I., episode The Predators, originally aired April 7, 1968
The Invaders, episode Inquisition, originally aired March 26, 1968
Gunsmoke, episode Mr. Sam'l, originally aired February 26, 1968
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, episode Secret of the Deep, originally aired February 11, 1968
It Takes a Thief, episode It Takes One to Know One, originally aired January 16, 1968
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Seven Wonders of the World Affair: Parts I and II, originally aired January 8 and 15, 1968
Ironside, episode The Taker, originally aired October 12, 1967
Daniel Boone, episode The Renegade, originally aired September 28, 1967
Felony Squad, episode The Fear Merchant, originally aired March 27, 1967
Iron Horse, episode The Passenger, originally aired March 6, 1967
The Virginian, episode The Gauntlet, originally aired February 8, 1967
The Invaders, episode The Leeches, originally aired January 31, 1967
The F.B.I., episode The Death Wind, originally aired December 25, 1966
Jericho, episode Two for the Road, originally aired November 17, 1966
Jericho, episode One for the Mountain, originally aired November 10, 1966
T.H.E. Cat, episode Moment of Truth, originally aired October 28, 1966
The Fugitive, episode The Last Oasis, originally aired September 13, 1966
Blue Light, episode The Friendly Enemy, originally aired May 18, 1966
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, episode The Monster's Web, originally aired February 27, 1966
The Loner, episode Incident in the Middle of Nowhere, originally aired February 19, 1966
Combat!, episode Counterplay, originally aired January 25, 1966
12 O'Clock High, episode The Jones Boys, originally aired December 6, 1965
The Wild Wild West, episode The Night of the Dancing Death, originally aired November 5, 1965
The F.B.I., episode The Problem of the Honorable Wife, originally aired October 31, 1965
Profiles in Courage, episode Hamilton Fish, originally aired March 7, 1965
Seaway, episode The Sparrows, originally aired January 1, 1965
The Fugitive, episode Ballad for a Ghost, originally aired December 29, 1964
The Virginian, episode The Girl from Yesterday, originally aired November 11, 1964
Twilight Zone, episode The Fear, originally aired May 29, 1964
Combat!, episode The Hostages, originally aired January 28, 1964
The Outer Limits, episode The Borderland, originally aired December 16, 1963
The Outer Limits, episode The Probe, originally aired January 16, 1965
Ben Casey, episode From Too Much Love of Living, originally aired December 11, 1963
The Virginian, episode A Portrait of Marie Valonne, originally aired November 6, 1963
The Doctors and the Nurses, episode The Horn of Plenty, originally aired October 31, 1963
Breaking Point, episode Crack in an Image, originally aired October 28, 1963
Stoney Burke, episode The Journey, originally aired May 20, 1963
The United States Steel Hour, episode You Can't Escape, originally aired June 13, 1962
Frontiers of Faith, episode Let Us Build a Tower, originally aired April 23, 1961
The United States Steel Hour, episode The Shame of Paula Marsten, originally aired April 19, 1961
Play of the Week, episode Therese Raquin, originally aired March 13, 1961
Play of the Week, episode Emmanuel, originally aired December 19, 1960
Moment of Fear, episode Fire by Night, originally aired July 22, 1960
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode The Cure, originally aired January 24, 1960
The United States Steel Hour, episode Act of Terror, originally aired December 30, 1959
Hotel de Paree, episode Return of Monique, originally aired October 30, 1959
The United States Steel Hour, episode The Hours Before Dawn, originally aired September 23, 1959
The DuPont Show with June Allyson, episode Ruth and Naomi, originally aired September 21, 1959
Zane Grey Theater, episode Mission to Marathon, originally aired May 14, 1959
Rawhide, episode Incident at Alabaster Plain, originally aired January 16, 1959
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode Man with a Problem, originally aired November 16, 1958
Kraft Theatre, episode Death Wears Many Faces, originally aired July 30, 1958
Schlitz Playhouse, episode Home Again, originally aired January 17, 1958
Playhouse 90, episode The Last Man, originally aired January 9, 1958
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, episode Roadblock Number Seven, originally aired November 7, 1957
Goodyear Playhouse, episode The House, originally aired September 8, 1957
Kraft Theatre, episode Sheriff's Man, originally aired March 27, 1957
Studio 57, episode Typhoon, originally aired December 30, 1956
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, episode Approved by Censor, originally aired September 11, 1956
The United States Steel Hour, episode The Partners, originally aired July 18, 1956
Playwrights '56, episode The Center of the Maze, originally aired April 24, 1956
Armstrong Circle Theatre, episode The Third Ear, originally aired February 7, 1956
Armstrong Circle Theatre, episode Nightmare in Red, originally aired December 27, 1955
The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, episode The Bold and the Brave, originally aired April 17, 1955
Goodyear Playhouse, episode Backfire, originally aired February 27, 1955
The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, episode Man on the Mountaintop, originally aired October 17, 1954
Justice, episode Guilty Secret, originally aired March 17, 1955
The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, episode Middle of the Night, originally aired September 19, 1954
Goodyear Playhouse, episode Star in the Summer Night, originally aired August 22, 1954
Suspense, episode The Duel, originally aired April 21, 1953

peter mark richman links

Peter Mark Richman: Actor, Artist, Writer, Novelist

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Peter Mark Richman

(1927-2021)