Richard "Dick" Simmons | |
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 Simmons as Sergeant Preston with Yukon King, 1955 | |
| Born | (1913-08-19)August 19, 1913 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 2003(2003-01-11) (aged 89) Oceanside, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Motion picture and television actor |
| Years active | 1937–1982 |
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| Children | 2 |
Richard Simmons (August 19, 1913 – January 11, 2003) was an American actor.
Simmons was born inSaint Paul, Minnesota, and his family later moved across theMississippi River toMinneapolis. There, he attended West Side High School and then theUniversity of Minnesota, where he studied drama.[1] Simmons was a professional pilot.[2]
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 anMGM contract player. Many of his minor movie roles went uncredited through the 1940s. One even included his portrayal of a Mountie inKing of the Royal Mounted produced byRepublic Pictures.
Starting in 1943, he began appearing in credited roles, beginning with his appearance inThe Youngest Profession, starringVirginia 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 aflight officer pilot[3] with theAir Transport Command in World War II.[1]
The 1950s mirrored the 1940s, with his appearing in several films and television series, at times uncredited. In 1952, he played the co-pilot inAbove and Beyond. In 1955, Simmons won his best-known role, portrayingSergeant William Preston inSergeant 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 1962 episode ofLeave it to Beaver ("The Parking Attendant"), and in 1963, an episode ofPerry Mason ("The Case of the Decadent Dean") and an episode ofLeave it to Beaver ("Beaver the Caddy"). In 1964, he appeared in the episode "Tin Can Man" (aired November 5, 1964) ofThe Munsters as Harold Balding, the principal of Eddie Munster's school. His last role was in a 1982 episode ofCHiPs.[1]
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 withAlzheimer's disease. He died on January 11, 2003, at the age of 89, in anOceanside, California, nursing home.[1]
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