Richard DeHart Crockett (February 27, 1915 – January 25, 1979) was an American television and film actor,

stunt performer A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

stunt coordinator A stunt coordinator, usually an experienced stunt performer, is hired by a TV, film or theatre director or production company for casting stunt performers. Their job is to arrange the casting (stunt players and stunt doubles) and performance of s ...

, producer, and director, best known for his work with director

Blake Edwards Blake Edwards (born William Blake Crump; July 26, 1922 – December 15, 2010) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Edwards began his career in the 1940s as an actor, but he soon began writing screenplays and radio scripts ...

Career

Crockett's first film was ''

Room Service Room service or in-room dining is a hotel service enabling guests to choose items of food and drink for delivery to their hotel room for consumption. Room service is organized as a subdivision within the food and beverage department of high-end ...

'' (1938) starring the

Marx Brothers The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act known for their anarchic humor, rapid-fire wordplay, and visual gags. They achieved success in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures. The core group consisted of brothers Chi ...

. The following year he began acting and doing stunt work in ''

Bachelor Mother ''Bachelor Mother'' (1939) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Garson Kanin, and starring Ginger Rogers, David Niven, and Charles Coburn. The screenplay was written by Norman Krasna from an Academy Award-nominated story by Felix ...

'' and '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'', respectively. He appeared in ''

Munster, Go Home! ''Munster, Go Home!'' is a 1966 American comedy film based on the 1960s family sitcom ''The Munsters''. It was directed by Earl Bellamy, who also directed a number of episodes in the series. The film was produced immediately after the television ...

'' and ''

Batman Batman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on M ...

'', both released in 1966 and based on their respective television programs. Crockett continued working as an actor and a stuntman until the late 1970s. Crockett was an associate producer for four films directed by

in the 1960s: ''

The Pink Panther ''The Pink Panther'' is an American media franchise primarily focusing on a series of comedy-mystery films featuring an inept French police detective, Inspector Clouseau, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The franchise began with the release of the fil ...

'' (1963), ''

The Great Race ''The Great Race'' is a 1965 American Technicolor epic slapstick comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood, written by Arthur A. Ross (from a story by Edwards and Ross) and with music by Henr ...

'' (1965), '' What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?'' (1966) and '' Gunn'' (1967). A few years later, he became a second unit director for Edwards' '' Darling Lili'' (1970), and ''

Wild Rovers ''Wild Rovers'' is a 1971 American Western film directed by Blake Edwards and starring William Holden and Ryan O'Neal. Originally intended as a three-hour epic, it was heavily edited by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer without Edwards' knowledge, including ...

'' (1971). In 1976, Crockett appeared in his final acting role as President

Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913December 26, 2006) was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, Ford assumed the p ...

(whom he strongly resembled) in Edwards' ''

The Pink Panther Strikes Again ''The Pink Panther Strikes Again'' is the fifth crime comedy film in ''The Pink Panther'' series, released in December, 1976. Set three years after the conclusion of '' The Return of the Pink Panther'' (1975), unused footage from the film was ...

''.

Death

His last stunt work was as a stunt coordinator for '' 10'' in 1979. The film was dedicated to him, as he died later that year of a heart attack in Los Angeles. According to Blake Edwards’ wife,

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over eight decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...

, in her book “Home Work,” Crockett died by suicide.

Filmography

*''

'' (1939) - Undetermined Role (uncredited) *''

Adventures of Captain Marvel ''Adventures of Captain Marvel'' is a 1941 American 12-chapter black-and-white movie serial from Republic Pictures. The serial was produced by Hiram S. Brown, Jr., directed by John English and William Witney, and stars Tom Tyler as the super ...

'' (1941) - Bridge Heavy h. 2(uncredited) *'' Music for Millions'' (1944) - Soldier (uncredited) *''

This Man's Navy ''This Man's Navy'' (aka ''Airship Squadron No. 4.'' and ''Lighter Than Air'') is a 1945 World War II film about U.S. Navy blimps directed by William A. Wellman and starring Wallace Beery, Tom Drake, Jan Clayton and James Gleason. The support ...

'' (1945) - Sparks *''

Week-End at the Waldorf ''Week-End at the Waldorf'', an American comedy drama film starring Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon, and Van Johnson. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, its screenplay is based on Vicki Baum's novel '' Grand Hotel'' and Baum's subsequent ...

'' (1945) - Bell Captain (uncredited) *''

A Letter for Evie ''A Letter for Evie'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Jules Dassin and starring Marsha Hunt, John Carroll and Hume Cronyn. It was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The story is a spinoff of Cyrano de Bergerac, updated to a modern set ...

'' (1946) - Soldier (uncredited) *'' Blonde Alibi'' (1946) - Dr. Selby (uncredited) *'' The Postman Always Rings Twice'' (1946) - Reporter (uncredited) *'' The Dark Horse'' (1946) - Milkman (uncredited) *''

Panhandle A salient, panhandle, or bootheel is an elongated protrusion of a geopolitical entity, such as a subnational entity or a sovereign state. While similar to a peninsula in shape, a salient is most often not surrounded by water on three sides. Ins ...

'' (1948) - Elliott Crockett *'' The Luck of the Irish'' (1948) - Brawler at Wedding (uncredited) *'' Wabash Avenue'' (1950) - Bartender *''

The Milkman ''The Milkman'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Charles Barton and starring Donald O'Connor, Jimmy Durante and Piper Laurie. Plot Roger Bradley is denied a milkman job at his father's company because of his postwar trauma; when he ...

'' (1950) - Man (uncredited) *'' Flying Disc Man from Mars'' (1950) - Cave Thug #2

h. 5 H is the eighth letter of the Latin alphabet. H may also refer to: Musical symbols * H number, Harry Halbreich reference mechanism for music by Honegger and Martinů * H, B (musical note) * H, B major People * H. (noble) (died after 127 ...

(uncredited) *'' Sealed Cargo'' (1951) - Nazi (uncredited) *'' Government Agents vs Phantom Legion'' (1951) - Henchman Crane h. 1(uncredited) *''

Gold Raiders ''Gold Raiders'' is a 1951 comedy Western film starring George O'Brien and The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). The picture was O'Brien's last starring role and the only feature film released during Shemp Howard's 1947� ...

'' (1951) - Henchman (uncredited) *'' Week-End with Father'' (1951) - Father in Canoe Race (uncredited) *'' Sound Off'' (1952) - Boatman on Lake (uncredited) *''

The Steel Trap ''The Steel Trap'' is a 1952 American film noir written and directed by Andrew L. Stone and starring Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, and Jonathan Hale. Plot With a million dollars cash in the vault, Jim Osborne (Joseph Cotten), a long term ba ...

'' (1952) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *''

Jalopy A decrepit car is an automobile that is often old and damaged and is in a barely functional state. There are many slang terms used to describe such cars, such as beater, bomb, clunker, chod, flivver, hooptie/hoopty, jalopy, old banger (most comm ...

'' (1953) - Jalopy Driver (uncredited) *'' All Ashore'' (1953) - Charlie - Security Guard *'' Split Second'' (1953) - Air Force Helicopter Pilot (uncredited) *''

Cruisin' Down the River ''Cruisin' Down the River'' is a 1953 American Technicolor musical film directed by Richard Quine. It stars Dick Haymes and Audrey Totter. The story is about a New York nightclub singer who inherits an old riverboat on the Chattahoochee River ...

'' (1953) - Sheriff (uncredited) *''

Topeka Topeka ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County, Kansas, Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeaste ...

'' (1953) - Will Peters *'' China Venture'' (1953) - Chief Waggner (uncredited) *''

Drive a Crooked Road ''Drive a Crooked Road'' is a 1954 American crime film noir directed by Richard Quine and starring Mickey Rooney and Dianne Foster. The drama's screenplay was adapted by Blake Edwards and Richard Quine from "The Wheel Man", a story by Canadia ...

'' (1954) - Don *'' Pushover'' (1954) - Mr. Crockett (uncredited) *'' Dragnet'' (1954) - Balding Card Player (uncredited) *''

Naked Alibi ''Naked Alibi'' is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by Jerry Hopper and starring Sterling Hayden, Gloria Grahame and Gene Barry. It was released on October 1, 1954 by Universal Pictures, Universal-International. Portions of the film ...

'' (1954) - Waiter (uncredited) *'' Bring Your Smile Along'' (1955) - Drummer in Orchestra Pit (uncredited) *'' Creature with the Atom Brain'' (1955) - Creature Who Calls Camden (uncredited) *''

Over-Exposed ''Over-Exposed'' is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Lewis Seiler and starring Cleo Moore, Richard Crenna and Raymond Greenleaf. It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. This film was released on DVD by Sony Picture ...

'' (1956) - Jerry *''

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

'' (1956) - Curly (uncredited) *'' A Cry in the Night'' (1956) - Police Officer McEvoy (uncredited) *'' Full of Life'' (1956) - Train Conductor (uncredited) *'' Mister Cory'' (1957) - The cook *''

The Garment Jungle ''The Garment Jungle'' is a 1957 American film noir crime film directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Lee J. Cobb, Kerwin Mathews, Gia Scala, Richard Boone and Valerie French. Plot Alan Mitchell is a returning Korean War veteran who joins his ...

'' (1957) - Miller (uncredited) *''

Operation Mad Ball ''Operation Mad Ball'' is a 1957 American military comedy from Columbia Pictures, produced by Jed Harris, directed by Richard Quine, that stars Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Kathryn Grant, Arthur O'Connell, and Mickey Rooney. The screenplay is ...

'' (1957) - Sgt. McCloskey (uncredited) *'' Escape from Red Rock'' (1957) - Krug henchman *''

Baby Face Nelson Lester Joseph Gillis (December 6, 1908 – November 27, 1934), also known as George Nelson and Baby Face Nelson, was an American bank robber who became a criminal partner of John Dillinger when he helped Dillinger escape from prison in Crown P ...

'' (1957) - Powell (uncredited) *'' Live Fast, Die Young'' (1958) - Little Guy *'' The Lineup'' (1958) - Truck Driver (uncredited) *''

No Time for Sergeants ''No Time for Sergeants'' is a 1954 best-selling novel by Mac Hyman, which was adapted into a teleplay on '' The United States Steel Hour'', a popular Broadway play and 1958 motion picture, as well as a 1964 television series. The book chronic ...

'' (1958) - Soldier in Bar Brawl (uncredited) *'' The Case Against Brooklyn'' (1958) - Thug (uncredited) *''

Street of Darkness ''Street of Darkness'' is a 1958 American adventure drama directed by Robert G. Walker and starring Robert Keys. It premiered on June 11, 1958. Plot Former colleagues Brett, Matt and Jesse reunite in New Orleans New Orleans (commonly ...

'' (1958) - Coke *''

The Perfect Furlough ''The Perfect Furlough'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope Eastmancolor romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and written by Stanley Shapiro. Edwards and Shapiro would re-team the following year for another Tony Curtis service comedy, '' ...

'' (1958) - Hans, MP #2 *'' Bell Book and Candle'' (1958) - Ad-lib Bit (uncredited) *''

It Happened to Jane ''It Happened to Jane'' is a 1959 American romantic comedy film starring Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs. It was directed by Richard Quine and written by Norman Katkov and Max Wilk. The film was coproduced by Quine and Day's husband Mar ...

'' (1959) - Clarence Runyon *''

Operation Petticoat ''Operation Petticoat'' is a 1959 American World War II submarine comedy film in Eastmancolor from Universal-International, produced by Robert Arthur, directed by Blake Edwards, and starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. The film tells in flash ...

'' (1959) - Harmon *'' Strangers When We Meet'' (1960) - Charlie (uncredited) *'' High Time'' (1960) - Bones McKinney (uncredited) *''

Spartacus Spartacus (; ) was a Thracians, Thracian gladiator (Thraex) who was one of the Slavery in ancient Rome, escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major Slave rebellion, slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Historical accounts o ...

'' (1960) - Guard (uncredited) *'' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' (1961) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *''

Experiment in Terror ''Experiment in Terror'' is a 1962 American neo-noir thriller film released by Columbia Pictures. It was directed by Blake Edwards and written by Mildred Gordon and Gordon Gordon based on their 1961 novel ''Operation Terror''. The film stars Gl ...

'' (1962) - FBI Agent #1 *'' The Notorious Landlady'' (1962) - Detective Carstairs (uncredited) *'' Days of Wine and Roses'' (1962) - Boor (uncredited) *'' Twilight of Honor'' (1963) - Bartender (uncredited) *''

'' (1966) - Ship Steward (uncredited) *''

'' (1966) - Morgan *''

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...

'' (1966-1968) - various characters (3 episodes; uncredited) *'' Gunn'' (1967) - Leo Gracey *'' The Party'' (1968) - Wells *''

The Moonshine War ''The Moonshine War'' is a 1970 American crime comedy-drama film directed by Richard Quine, based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard. It stars Patrick McGoohan, Richard Widmark, Alan Alda, and Will Geer. Plot John "Son" Marti ...

'' (1970) - Carl *''

'' (1971) - Sheriff's Deputy *'' Diamonds Are Forever'' (1971) - Crane Operator (uncredited) *'' The Carey Treatment'' (1972) - Callahan, Turkish Bath Proprietor (uncredited) *'' The Getaway'' (1972) - Bank Guard *''

Across 110th Street ''Across 110th Street'' is a 1972 American neo noir action thriller film directed by Barry Shear and starring Yaphet Kotto, Anthony Quinn, Anthony Franciosa and Paul Benjamin. The film is set in Harlem, New York and takes its name from 11 ...

'' (1972) - Patrolman *''

The Don Is Dead ''The Don Is Dead'' is a 1973 American crime film directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Christopher Trumbo, Michael Butler, and Marvin H. Albert, adapted from Albert's novel of the same name. It stars Anthony Quinn, Frederic Forrest, Robe ...

'' (1973) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *''

Blazing Saddles ''Blazing Saddles'' is a 1974 American satirical postmodernist Western black comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, who co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg and Alan Uger, based on a story treatment by Be ...

'' (1974) - Townsman #2 (uncredited) *''

'' (1976) - President

(final film role) *'' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1996) - Unnamed Klingon (archive footage in episode

Trials and Tribble-ations "Trials and Tribble-ations" is the 104th episode of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'', the sixth episode of the fifth season. It was written as a tribute to the original series of ''Star Trek,'' in ...

; uncredited)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Crockett, Dick 1915 births 1979 deaths American male film actors American stunt performers People from Maywood, Illinois Male actors from Illinois Film producers from Illinois Film directors from Illinois 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American businesspeople