Darwin William Duell (born George William Duell; August 30, 1923 – December 22, 2011) was an American actor and singer. He was known for his roles as Andrew McNair in the musical ''

1776 Events January–February * January 1 – American Revolutionary War – Burning of Norfolk: The town of Norfolk, Virginia is destroyed, by the combined actions of the British Royal Navy and occupying Patriot forces. * Januar ...

'', Jim Sefelt in the 1975 film ''

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to: * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas * ''One Flew Over the ...

'', and Johnny the Shoe Shine Guy on the 1982 crime comedy series '' Police Squad!''. Described as a short, odd-looking character actor with a Shakespearean background, he had many minor roles in plays, films, and TV series. His last work was a cameo in the 2003 film '' How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days''.

Early life and career

Duell was born in 1923 in Corinth, New York, to E. Janet (Harrington) and Leon George Duell, an employee of the International Paper Company. Sometime in his youth, his mother legally changed his name to Darwin William Duell. Duell never cared for his first name and thus always went by his middle name, William. Duell graduated from the Green Mountain Junior College (now Green Mountain College) (Vermont),

Illinois Wesleyan University Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockford ...

, and

Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the w ...

. A theater scholarship at Green Mountain College is named after him. He portrayed Congressional custodian Andrew McNair in the Broadway version of ''1776'', which made him the one actor who stayed throughout the entire run of the show and was never understudied; he also played the part in the 1972 film of the musical. In the 1997 Broadway revival of ''1776'' Duell was a replacement member of the cast, filling the role of

Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney (October 7, 1728 – June 26, 1784) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, and politician from St. Jones Neck in Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware. He was an officer of the Delaware militia during the French and Indian War ...

after Michael McCormick took on the role of John Adams. In 2010, he appeared in a one-night only staged reading of ''

Evening Primrose ''Oenothera'' is a genus of about 145 species of herbaceous flowering plants native to the Americas. It is the type genus of the family Onagraceae. Common names include evening primrose, suncups, and sundrops. They are not closely related to ...

'' by

Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March 22, 1930November 26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. One of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater, Sondheim is credited for having "reinvented the American musical" with sho ...

Later life and death

Duell married his wife, Mary Barto, in 2004. Duell died of respiratory failure in December 2011. He was 88.

Partial filmography

*''

The Hustler ''The Hustler'' is a 1961 American sports romantic drama film directed by Robert Rossen from Walter Tevis's 1959 novel of the same name, adapted by Rossen and Sidney Carroll. It tells the story of small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson a ...

'' (1961) – Billy (Louisville Hustler) (uncredited) *''

'' (1972) – Andrew McNair, Congressional Custodian *''

Deadhead Miles ''Deadhead Miles'' is a 1972 American road comedy film directed by Vernon Zimmerman from a script by Terrence Malick, and starring Alan Arkin, Bruce Bennett and Paul Benedict. Actors George Raft and Ida Lupino make cameos. Plot Cooper (Alan A ...

'' (1973) – Auto Parts Salesman *'' Law and Disorder'' (1974) *''

The Happy Hooker ''The Happy Hooker: My Own Story'' is a best-selling memoir by Xaviera Hollander, a call girl, published in 1971. It sold over 20 million copies. Robin Moore, who took Hollander's dictations of the book's contents, came up with the title, while Yv ...

'' (1975) – Meek Man *''

'' (1975) – Jim Sefelt *''

King of the Gypsies The title King of the Gypsies has been claimed or given over the centuries to many different people. It is both culturally and geographically specific. It may be inherited, acquired by acclamation or action, or simply claimed. The extent of the p ...

'' (1978) – Funeral Home Director *''

Airplane! ''Airplane!'' (alternatively titled ''Flying High!'') is a 1980 American parody film written and directed by the brothers David Zucker, David and Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams in their directorial debuts, and produced by Jon Davison (film prod ...

'' (1980) – Reporter #1 (uncredited) *''

A Stranger Is Watching ''A Stranger Is Watching'' (1977) is a suspense novel by Mary Higgins Clark. Plot summary The main characters in the novel are Steve Peterson, whose wife Nina was murdered two years before, his six-year-old son Neil, who witnessed the murder, an ...

'' (1982) – Derelict in Subway (uncredited) *'' Police Squad!'' (1982) – Johnny *''

Without a Trace ''Without a Trace'' is an American police procedural drama television series created by Hank Steinberg that aired on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009 with the total of seven seasons and 160 episodes. The series focuses the cases of ...

'' (1983) – Polygraph operator *'' Grace Quigley'' (1984) – Mr. Harvey Jenkins *''

The Pope of Greenwich Village ''The Pope of Greenwich Village'' is a 1984 American crime black comedy film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Geraldine Page, Kenneth McMillan and Burt Young. Page was nominated for the Academy ...

'' (1984) – Toll Booth Attendant #2 *''

Mrs. Soffel ''Mrs. Soffel'' is a 1984 American drama film directed by Gillian Armstrong, starring Diane Keaton and Mel Gibson and based on the story of condemned brothers Jack and Ed Biddle, who escaped prison with the aid of the warden's wife, Kate Soffel. ...

'' (1984) – Lenny *'' The Beniker Gang'' (1985) – Postmaster Greaves *'' Seize the Day'' (1986) – Joey *'' Ironweed'' (1987) – Moose *''

Funny Farm Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental health hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, are hospitals or wards specializing in the treatment of severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, dissociative ...

'' (1988) – Old Character *'' Elvira, Mistress of the Dark'' (1988) – Lesley Meeker *''

Out of the Rain ''Out of the Rain'' is a 1991 film directed by Gary Winick. The film starred Bridget Fonda and Michael O'Keefe. Plot In upstate New York Jimmy Reade is thought to have committed suicide with a shotgun. His older brother Frank comes home to attend ...

'' (1991) – Reverend *''

Me and Veronica ''Me and Veronica'' is a 1992 American drama film directed by Don Scardino (in his feature directorial debut), written by Leslie Lyles, and starring Elizabeth McGovern, Patricia Wettig and Michael O'Keefe. Plot Cast *Elizabeth McGovern as Fa ...

'' (1993) – Harry *''

Trial by Jury A jury trial, or trial by jury, is a legal proceeding in which a jury makes a decision or findings of fact. It is distinguished from a bench trial in which a judge or panel of judges makes all decisions. Jury trials are used in a significan ...

'' (1994) – Jimmy *''

Palookaville Palookaville may refer to: * ''Palookaville'' (film), a 1995 comedy film * ''Palookaville'' (album), a 2004 electronic album by Fatboy Slim * ''Palookaville'' (comics), an alternative comic book See also * Palooka (disambiguation) {{disa ...

'' (1995) – Money Truck Guard *'' Reckless'' (1995) – Roy *'' In & Out'' (1997) – Emmett Wilson *'' The Out-of-Towners'' (1999) – Lost Baggage Clerk *''

Cradle Will Rock ''Cradle Will Rock'' is a 1999 American historical drama film written, produced and directed by Tim Robbins. The story fictionalizes the true events that surrounded the development of the 1937 musical ''The Cradle Will Rock'' by Marc Blitzstein; ...

'' (1999) – Butler *''

Advice from a Caterpillar ''Advice from a Caterpillar'' is a 1999 independent drama film directed by Don Scardino and adapted by Douglas Carter Beane from his play of the same name. The title is derived from chapter five of the classic children's novel ''Alice's Adventures ...

'' (1999) – Hunter #2 *'' How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'' (2003) – Old Concession Worker (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Duell, William Male actors from New York (state) American male film actors American male television actors 2011 deaths 1923 births Illinois Wesleyan University alumni People from Corinth, New York Yale University alumni Deaths from respiratory failure