Richard Dysart, a veteran actor of both the stage and screen who is best known for his role as senior partner Leland McKenzie in the courtroom drama series L.A. Law, has died at 86.
Dysart died on Sunday at his Santa Monica home after a long illness, publicist Jeannine Jacobi told the AP.
On L.A. Law, Dysart played the head honcho at the firm McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak. The series ran from 1986 to 1994 and his role earned him four Supporting Actor Emmy nominations and a win in 1992.
He won a Drama Desk Award in 1972 for originating the role of The Coach in That Championship Season on Broadway and was a founding member of the American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. He also had many film credits including the horror class The Thing, Clint Eastwoord’s Pale Rider, Ashby’s Being There, and even a small role in Back to the Future Part III.
Dysart was born on March 30, 1929 in Boston. He served four years in the Air Force during the Korean War.
