William Joseph Schallert (Height 6 feet 1 inch [1.85 meters]) 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.
2021Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists! as Self
2014Monster Madness: Mutants, Space Invaders, and Drive-Ins as Self
2011Bag of Bones (2 Episodes) as Max Devore
2010The Deep End (1 Episode) as Unknown
2009Green Lantern: First Flight as Appa Ali Apsa (voice)
2008True Blood (2, 1 Episode) as Maire Norris, Mayor Norris
2007Sweetzer as Barnaby
2005My Name Is Earl (1 Episode) as Dr. Rudin
2005How I Met Your Mother (1 Episode) as Brady
2005The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (1 Episode) as David
2005Medium (1 Episode) as J. Donald Kessinger
2004Desperate Housewives (2 Episodes) as Ken
2004Edgar G. Ulmer – Der Mann im Off as Self
2002What's New, Scooby-Doo? (1, 1 Episode) as Professor Pomfrit (voice), Farmer P. / Neville Popenbacher (voice)
2001The Zeta Project (1 Episode) as Unknown
2000Son of the Beach (1 Episode) as Unknown
1999Family Law (1 Episode) as Manager
1999Harvey (1 Episode) as Judge Gaffney
1999The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights as Martin Lane
1997The Second Civil War as Secretary of Defense
1997The Angry Beavers (1 Episode) as Unknown
1997To Dance with Olivia as Judge Shelton
1996Harvey as Judge Gaffney
1996Pacific Blue (1 Episode) as Walter
1996A Century of Science Fiction as Self
1994ER (1 Episode) as Mitchell Jennings
1994Shake, Rattle and Rock! as Judge Boone
1994Rebel Highway (10 Episodes) as Judge Boon
1994The Good Life (1 Episode) as Judge Milligan
1993Beethoven's 2nd as Steve - M.C. at Pet & Owner Burger Binge (uncredited)
1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1 Episode) as Al
1993Sex, Shock & Censorship in the 90's as Judge
1993Matinee as Dr. Grabow, DDS
1993Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1 Episode) as Varani
1992Melrose Place (1 Episode) as Dr. Curtis
1991House Party 2 as Dean Kramer
1991The Torkelsons (20 Episodes) as Wesley "Boarder" Hodges
1991Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love as Sheriff
1991Dinosaurs (1 Episode) as Wesayso Scientist (voice)
1991Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levis Story as Landrum Bolling
1990Dream On (4 Episodes) as Judith's Father
1990The Incident as Wallace
1989Cross of Fire (2 Episodes) as Reverend
1989Quantum Leap (1 Episode) as Judge Eugene Haller
1989Coach (2 Episodes) as Bert Wilkins
1988Murphy Brown (1 Episode) as Ken Hamilton
1988War and Remembrance (12 Episodes) as Harry Hopkins
1988Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis as Mr. Pomfritt
1987The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy as Willem (voice)
1987A Year in the Life (1 Episode) as Larry
1987Innerspace as Dr. Greenbush
1986Under the Influence as Cade
1986The New Gidget (44 Episodes) as Russ Lawrence
1986Matlock (1 Episode) as Unknown
1985North and South (2 Episodes) as Gen. Robert E. Lee
1985The Twilight Zone (1 Episode) as (segment "Shadow Play")
1985Gidget's Summer Reunion as Russ Lawrence
1984Teachers as Horn
1984Highway to Heaven (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1984Gremlins as Father Bartlett (uncredited)
1984Amazons as Congressman Stanford Barstow
1983Through Naked Eyes as Terry Parrish
1983Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1 Episode) as Unknown
1983Twilight Zone: The Movie as Father
1983Grace Kelly as Father Tucker
1982St. Elsewhere (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Matt Houston (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Hotel (1 Episode) as Unknown
1981Simon & Simon (1 Episode) as Unknown
1980Magnum, P.I. (1 Episode) as Bob
1980Hangar 18 as Professor Mills
1979The Jerk as Judge M.A. Loring
1979Blind Ambition (4 Episodes) as Herbert Kalmbach
1979Ike as Gen. Mark Clark
1979Legends of the Super Heroes as Retired Man
1979Legends of the Superheroes (2 Episodes) as Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone
1979Doomsday Chronicles as Host
1978The Stableboy's Christmas as The Innkeeper
1978Little Women (2 Episodes) as Jonathan March
1978Grandpa Goes to Washington (1 Episode) as Unknown
1978Confessions of the D.A. Man as Unknown
1977Lou Grant (1, 1 Episode) as Larry Hill, Mark Worth
1977CHiPs (1 Episode) as Rev. Warmer
1977Tail Gunner Joe as Gen. Zwicker
1977The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (11 Episodes) as Carson Drew
1976The Nancy Walker Show (1 Episode) as Teddy Futterman
1976Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway as Harry
1976All's Fair (1 Episode) as Unknown
1976Tunnel Vision as Francis X. Cody
1976The Bionic Woman (1 Episode) as Unknown
1975Ellery Queen (1 Episode) as Unknown
1975Switch (1 Episode) as Wayne Buford
1975Promise Him Anything as Silver
1975The Strongest Man in the World as Prof. Quigley
1974Death Sentence as Tanner
1974Little House on the Prairie (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1974The Manhunter (1 Episode) as Unknown
1974Remember When as Dick Hodges
1974The Six Million Dollar Man (1 Episode) as Lorin Sandusky
1973Hijack! as Frank Kleiner
1973Charley Varrick as Bill Horton
1973Partners in Crime as Oscar
1973Police Story (1 Episode) as Unknown
1972Kung Fu (1 Episode) as Willis Roper
1972The Waltons (4 Episodes) as Unknown
1972Banacek (1 Episode) as Leo Osburn
1972Man On A String as William Connaught
1971Funny Face (1 Episode) as Unknown
1971The Man and the City (1 Episode) as Unknown
1971Escape as Senator Lewis Harrison
1970Colossus: The Forbin Project as CIA Director Grauber
1969The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes as Professor Quigley
1969Marcus Welby, M.D. (1 Episode) as Brian Cullen
1969The Debbie Reynolds Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
1969Room 222 (1 Episode) as Unknown
1969Sam Whiskey as Mr. Perkins
1968Here Come the Brides (1 Episode) as Unknown
1968The Mod Squad (1 Episode) as Unknown
1968Land of the Giants (1 Episode) as Dr. Arno
1968Hawaii Five-O (2, 1 Episode) as Defense Counsel Herbert, Craig Wilkie
1968Speedway as Abel Esterlake
1967Will Penny as Dr. Fraker
1967Hour of the Gun as Judge Herman Spicer
1967Judd for the Defense (1 Episode) as Unknown
1967The Guns of Will Sonnett (1 Episode) as Lawyer
1967In the Heat of the Night as Mayor Schubert
1967Ironside (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1966CBS Playhouse (1 Episode) as Unknown
1966Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1 Episode) as Unknown
1966Mission: Impossible (1 Episode) as Dr. Harrison Selby
1966The Rat Patrol (1 Episode) as Dr. Schneidermann
1966Star Trek (1 Episode) as Nilz Baris
1966That Girl (1 Episode) as Unknown
1965The F.B.I. (1, 1 Episode) as Paul Ganz, Ed Crawford
1965Get Smart (1 Episode) as Unknown
1965The Wild Wild West (1, 1, 2 Episode) as Rufus Kraus, Silas Grigsby, Frank Harper
1964Bewitched (1 Episode) as Unknown
1963The Patty Duke Show (104 Episodes) as Martin Lane
1963Philbert (Three's a Crowd) as Griff M.
1963Shotgun Wedding as Preacher Parsons
1962Combat! (1 Episode) as Maj. Fisher
1962The Lucy Show (2 Episodes) as Mr. Cresant
1962Stoney Burke (1 Episode) as Unknown
1962Ensign O'Toole (1 Episode) as Douglas Harper
1962The Virginian (1 Episode) as Harry Foley
1962Sam Benedict (1 Episode) as Neil Carlson
1962The Lloyd Bridges Show (1 Episode) as The Ballad Singer
1962Lonely are the Brave as Harry
1962Paradise Alley as Jack Williams
1961The New Breed (1 Episode) as Gilbert Condon
1961The Dick Van Dyke Show (1 Episode) as Mr. Kirk
1961Hazel (1 Episode) as Kemper
1961Dr. Kildare (1, 1 Episode) as Inspector, Tom Scola
196187th Precinct (1 Episode) as Unknown
1960Surfside 6 (1 Episode) as Marty Kemp
1960Stagecoach West (1 Episode) as Aeneas Longbridge
1960The Andy Griffith Show (1 Episode) as Sam Becker
1960Thriller (1 Episode) as Prof. John MacFarland ('Friend of the Dead')
1960Coronado 9 (1 Episode) as Unknown
1960The Gallant Hours as Unknown, Thomas G. Lamphier Jr.
1959The Untouchables (1 Episode) as Edward Garth
1959Pillow Talk as Hotel Clerk
1959Philip Marlowe (4 Episodes) as Unknown
1959The Rebel (1 Episode) as Charles Ashbaugh
1959The Twilight Zone (1 Episode) as Policeman
1959Johnny Ringo (1, 1 Episode) as Mr. Ferris, Bogan
1959Wichita Town (1 Episode) as Unknown
1959The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (18, 1, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Prof. Leander Pomfritt, Mr. Leander Pomfritt
1959Lock-Up (1 Episode) as Unknown
1959The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1 Episode) as Lt. Barnes
1959Blue Denim as George - Bank Vice President (uncredited)
1959The Beat Generation as Father Dinelli
1959Day of the Outlaw as Unknown
1959One Step Beyond (1, 1 Episode) as Doctor Sanders, Lenny
1959Black Saddle (1 Episode) as Chet Mallet
1959Rawhide (1, 1, 1 Episode) as The Salesman, Lt. Hill, Lieutenant Carter
1958Some Came Running as Al (Jewelry Store Clerk) (uncredited)
1958Torpedo Run as Captain of the Bluefin
195877 Sunset Strip (1, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Steve Alexander
1958Bat Masterson (1, 1 Episode) as Dr. Harold Dunsmore, George Winston
1958Lawman (1 Episode) as Unknown
1958The Rifleman (2, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Joe Lovering
1958The Texan (1 Episode) as Unknown
1958Peter Gunn (1 Episode) as Unknown
1958Steve Canyon (1 Episode) as Major Karl Richmond
1958Wanted: Dead or Alive (1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Hotel Clerk, James Hendricks, Craig the Bartender, Link Damon
1958Cry Terror! as Henderson, Bank Representative
1958Sea Hunt (1 Episode) as Unknown
1957Man in the Shadow as Jim Shaney
1957The Monolith Monsters as Weatherman
1957The Tarnished Angels as Ted Baker
1957Leave It to Beaver (1 Episode) as Mr. Bloomgarden
1957Maverick (1 Episode) as Unknown
1957Perry Mason (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Graves, Dr. Bradbury, Len Dykes
1957Wagon Train (1 Episode) as Miles Van Vander
1957Sugarfoot (1 Episode) as Cole
1957Have Gun, Will Travel (3, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Cavalry Corporal
1957The Hired Man as Mr. Clay
1957Man on Fire as Charles (uncredited)
1957Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1, 1 Episode) as Johnny Prescott (uncredited), Charlie Kane
1957The Girl in the Kremlin as Jacob Stalin
1957The Tattered Dress as Court Clerk
1957The Incredible Shrinking Man as Doctor Arthur Bramson
1956Massacre at Sand Creek as Defense Attorney
1956Friendly Persuasion as Young Husband (uncredited)
1956Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Yarbrough, Tom Baird, John Scott, Tom
1956Written on the Wind as Reporter
1956Forbidden Area as TV Announcer
1956The Adventures of Jim Bowie (7 Episodes) as Unknown
1956Gunslinger as Marshal Scott Hood
1956Raw Edge as Missionary
1956The Lone Ranger as Clive - Secretary (uncredited)
1955Hell's Horizon as Capt. Ben Morgan
1955Matinee Theater (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1955Bobby Ware Is Missing as Police Radio Dispatcher (uncredited)
1955Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1 Episode) as Lt. Gunderson
1955Gunsmoke (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Eben Hakes, Alben Peavy, Capt. Grant, Jess, Ezra Thorpe, Jake Spence, Judge Ray Cordelius
1955Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe (12 Episodes) as Ted Richards
1955Top of the World as Harding
1955Smoke Signal as Private Livingston
1954Black Tuesday as Collins (uncredited)
1954Climax! (1 Episode) as David
1954Lassie (1 Episode) as Unknown
1954Down Three Dark Streets as Ben
1954Tobor the Great as Johnston - a Reporter
1954Shield for Murder as Asst. Dist. Atty. Andy Tucker
1954The Raid as Rebel Soldier (uncredited)
1954The Whistler (1 Episode) as Unknown
1954The High and the Mighty as Dispatcher
1954Them! as Ambulance Attendant
1954Gog as Engle
1954Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl as Priest (uncredited)
1954Riot in Cell Block 11 as Reporter
1953Letter to Loretta (1 Episode) as Roy Smith
1953Port Sinister as Collins
1953Sword of Venus as Valmont
1953Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe as Ted Richards
1953The Jazz Singer as Assistant Stage Manager (uncredited)
1953General Electric Theater (1 Episode) as Red Myers
1952Flat Top as Ens. Longfellow
1952Captive Women as Carver, the Mutate traitor
1952Mr. & Mrs. North (1 Episode) as Unknown
1952The Ford Television Theatre (1 Episode) as Union Official
1952Death Valley Days (1, 1 Episode) as Ellis Higby, Dave Meiser
1952Four Star Playhouse (1, 1 Episode) as Airline Clerk, Johnson
1952Storm Over Tibet as Aylen
1952Paula as Reporter
1952Hoodlum Empire as Inquiry Clerk
1952Singin' in the Rain as Messenger on Screen (uncredited)
1952Rose of Cimarron as Gold Bullion Guard
1951Hallmark Hall of Fame (1 Episode) as Dr. Janeway
1951Bannerline as Cass
1951The Red Badge of Courage as Union Soldier (uncredited)
1951The People Against O'Hara as Intern with Ambulance (uncredited)
1951The Man from Planet X as Dr. Mears
1950The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1 Episode) as Pete
1950Lux Video Theatre (1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Sam Carter, Ferguson, Thompson, Hall
1950Lonely Heart Bandits as Dave Clark
1949The Reckless Moment as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
1949Mighty Joe Young as Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
1947Doctor Jim as George Brant