11/05/2025
Today, on the anniversary of his passing, we remember Richard "Dick" Schaal—a master of timing, a pillar of classic television comedy, and a quiet force behind some of the most beloved sitcoms of the 1970s.
Born on May 5, 1928, Dick Schaal honed his craft where modern American comedy was born: Chicago’s legendary Second City. Joining the troupe in 1962, he immersed himself in the art of sketch and improvisational comedy—sharpening the wit, precision, and understated charm that would define his screen career.
Though rarely the star, Schaal was the actor other actors loved to work with—reliable, generous, and effortlessly funny. His face became a familiar presence in the golden age of the ensemble sitcom. He appeared in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Phyllis (where he played Leo Heatherton in 23 episodes), and Rhoda—often sharing the screen with his then-wife, the radiant Valerie Harper, who played Rhoda Morgenstern. Their real-life chemistry lent warmth and authenticity to their on-screen relationships, making even minor storylines feel lived-in and true.
His connection to Mary Tyler Moore actually began earlier, in a 1966 episode of The Dick Van D**e Show titled “Dear Sally Rogers,” where he played opposite Moore in one of her earliest TV roles—billed simply as Dick Schaal, a name that would become synonymous with dependable, character-driven humor.
Beyond television, he brought his grounded presence to memorable films like The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), a Cold War satire brimming with humanity, and Slaughterhouse-Five (1972), where his performance added quiet gravity to Kurt Vonnegut’s surreal anti-war masterpiece.
Off-camera, Schaal lived a full life. Married three times, he was the father of Wendy Schaal, an acclaimed voice actress known for American Dad! and The Simpsons. Though his personal life included its share of changes, he remained a steady presence in Hollywood—always professional, always kind.
On November 4, 2014, at the age of 86, Dick Schaal passed away. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn–Hollywood Hills, his grave marked with simplicity befitting a man who never sought the spotlight—but always elevated it.
Visitors sometimes leave small tokens: a vintage Mary Tyler Moore Show script page, a Second City program, or a single white gardenia—the kind Rhoda might have worn to a dinner party that never quite went as planned.
Rest in peace, Dick Schaal.
Thank you for your subtlety, your support,
and for proving that the best comedy
isn’t always the loudest—
but the most human.
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