Born: February 25, 1925 – Died: April 22, 1999
Bert Remsen, an American character actor with a life as colorful as his roles, was born on February 25, 1925, in Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, USA. He was the son of a New York City policeman, which perhaps contributed to the diverse array of characters he portrayed throughout his career. His journey into the world of acting was as eventful as it was inspiring.
Early Life and Career
Remsen's early life was marked by his service in World War II as a coxswain on a destroyer, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. His transition into acting came after this period of his life. He made a significant mark in the industry with his film debut in 1959, showcasing his versatility across both film and television. His career was thriving until a life-changing accident on the set of the TV series "No Time for Sergeants" in 1964, which led to a severe back injury.
Despite this setback, Remsen’s resilience shone through. After a period of recuperation, he shifted gears to become a casting director, even heading the casting department of Lorimar Productions. His return to acting was facilitated by a role offered by a director while he was casting a film. This marked the resurgence of his on-screen career, where he worked in scores of films and TV episodes, often with just a cane for support.
Some of his notable roles include appearances in "Code of Silence" (1985), "Maverick" (1994), and "Nashville" (1975). His work in "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" (1971) as Bart Coyle stands out among his many memorable performances.
On a personal front, Remsen was married to Barbara Dodd from May 2, 1959, until his death, and the couple had two children. Beyond acting, he was known for his generosity and vivid storytelling, making him a beloved figure in the film industry.
Remsen passed away in his sleep at the age of 74 in 1999. His legacy in Hollywood is marked by his ability to overcome adversity and his contributions to the industry not just as an actor but also as a casting director. His diverse roles and dedication to the craft make him a standout figure in the annals of American cinema.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | A Walk in the Park | Ken Sherry |
| 1999 | The Sky Is Falling | Mr. Finch |
| 1999 | *Forces of Nature* | Ned |
| 1999 | The Pretender (TV Series) | Father Moore |
| 1999 | Lansky (TV Movie) | Senator Tobey |
| 1999 | Clueless (TV Series) | Bronson Alcott |
| 1999 | Tycus (Video) | Randall Barnett |
| 1995–1998 | Melrose Place (TV Series) | Sonny Skyler | Joe Curtis | Judge George Markham |
| 1997 | Hugo Pool | Sad Old Man |
| 1997 | Pensacola: Wings of Gold (TV Series) | Dave Henson |
| 1997 | Road Ends | Arliss |
| 1997 | Conspiracy Theory | Alice's Father |
| 1996 | Humanoids from the Deep (TV Movie) | Duffy the Coroner |
| 1996 | Crime of the Century (TV Movie) | Dr. John Condon |
| 1996 | Baywatch (TV Series) | Shop Owner |
| 1995 | Fallen Angels (TV Series) | Old Man |
| 1995 | White Man's Burden | Hot Dog Vendor |
| 1995 | Dillinger and Capone (Video) | Wheezy |
| 1994 | Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero (Video) | Old Man |
| 1994 | Come Die with Me: A Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Mystery (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1994 | Open Fire (Video) | Walter the Guard |
| 1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) | Kubus |
| 1994 | Maverick | Riverboat Poker Player |
| 1994 | Rise and Walk: The Dennis Byrd Story (TV Movie) | Mr. Robinson |
| 1994 | Secret Sins of the Father (TV Movie) | Judge Kleiser |
| 1993 | With Harmful Intent (TV Movie) | Oliver London |
| 1993 | The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (TV Series) | Judge |
| 1993 | There Was a Little Boy (TV Movie) | Father McHenry |
| 1993 | Jack the Bear | Mitchell |
| 1993 | Joshua Tree | Woody Engstrom |
| 1992 | *The Bodyguard* | Rotary Club President |
| 1992 | Loving Lulu | Unknown |
| 1992 | Wild Card (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1992 | Ladykiller (TV Movie) | Medical Examiner O'Malley |
| 1992 | *The Player* | Bert Remsen |
| 1988–1992 | Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) | Shopkeeper | Amos Banning |
| 1992 | Maid for Each Other (TV Movie) | Minister |
| 1991 | The Walter Ego (Short) | Bartender Jake |
| 1991 | Pros and Cons (TV Series) | Father Karl |
| 1991 | Evil Spirits | John Wilson |
| 1991 | Only the Lonely | Spats |
| 1991 | Life Goes On (TV Series) | Gramps |
| 1990 | Payback | Burt |
| 1990 | Jezebel's Kiss | Doctor Samuel Whatley |
| 1990 | Dragnet (TV Series) | Sid Dempsey |
| 1990 | Dick Tracy | Bartender |
| 1990 | Peacemaker | Doc |
| 1990 | Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will? | Daddy |
| 1990 | Vietnam, Texas | Monsignor Sheehan |
| 1990 | The New Adam-12 (TV Series) | Howard |
| 1989 | Night Walk (TV Movie) | Chauncey |
| 1989 | Curfew | Gentleman with Cane |
| 1989 | Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat | Milt |
| 1989 | Miss Firecracker | Mr. Morton |
| 1988 | South of Reno | Howard Stone |
| 1988 | Remote Control | Bill Denver |
| 1987 | Matlock (TV Series) | Wilson Douglas |
| 1987 | Dallas (TV Series) | Dandy Dandridge |
| 1987 | Three for the Road | Stu |
| 1987 | Jack and Mike (TV Series) | Dalton |
| 1987 | P.K. and the Kid | Al |
| 1986 | Eye of the Tiger | Father Healey |
| 1986 | Tai-Pan | Unknown |
| 1986 | Who Is Julia? (TV Movie) | Joseph Dineen |
| 1986 | Convicted (TV Movie) | Grandfather |
| 1986 | TerrorVision | Grampa |
| 1985 | Stand Alone | Paddie |
| 1985 | Generation (TV Movie) | Tom Breed |
| 1985 | Code of Silence | Commander Kates |
| 1985 | Space (TV Mini Series) | Ed Specktor |
| 1982–1984 | Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) | Tom Wheeler | Eugene |
| 1984 | I Married a Centerfold (TV Movie) | Gramps |
| 1984 | Burning Rage (TV Movie) | J.D. Moses |
| 1984 | Places in the Heart | Tee Tot Hightower |
| 1983–1984 | The Yellow Rose (TV Series) | Clem | Larry Goodell |
| 1984 | Dynasty (TV Series) | Jack Crager |
| 1983 | Lies | Murrey Haliday |
| 1983 | Hobson's Choice (TV Movie) | Homer Ralston |
| 1983 | Remington Steele (TV Series) | Barney Kiernan |
| 1983 | Memorial Day (TV Movie) | Clay Gibbs |
| 1983 | Policewoman Centerfold (TV Movie) | Captain David Buckman |
| 1983 | M.A.D.D.: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (TV Movie) | Dick Dodridge |
| 1983 | The Sting II | Kid Colors |
| 1983 | Independence Day | Red Malone |
| 1982 | The Luck of Roaring Camp (Short) | Stumpy |
| 1982 | Tucker's Witch (TV Series) | Senator MacGowan |
| 1982 | Cagney & Lacey (TV Series) | Deputy Chief |
| 1982 | Lookin' to Get Out | Smitty |
| 1979–1982 | Hart to Hart (TV Series) | Mr. McKenna | Jimmy Delaney |
| 1982 | The Phoenix (TV Series) | Hal Massey |
| 1982 | CHiPs (TV Series) | Jim |
| 1982 | Knots Landing (TV Series) | Jackson Mobley |
| 1982 | Victims (TV Movie) | Lt. McClain |
| 1980–1981 | It's a Living (TV Series) | Mario |
| 1981 | Crazy Times (TV Movie) | Father Burke |
| 1980 | Inside Moves | Stinky |
| 1980 | Second-Hand Hearts | Voyd |
| 1980 | Borderline | Carl J. Richards |
| 1980 | Carny | Delno Baptiste |
| 1979 | Love for Rent (TV Movie) | Ben |
| 1979 | Flesh & Blood (TV Movie) | Jorgenson |
| 1979 | Joni | John Eareckson |
| 1979 | Wonder Woman (TV Series) | Dr. Jaffe |
| 1979 | Starsky and Hutch (TV Series) | Franklin Anderson |
| 1979 | Fast Break | Bo Winnegar |
| 1978 | Uncle Joe Shannon | Braddock |
| 1978 | Family (TV Series) | Mr. Defilips |
| 1978 | A Wedding | William Williamson |
| 1978 | The Awakening Land (TV Mini Series) | Isaac Barker |
| 1977–1978 | Charlie's Angels (TV Series) | Brewster McFarland | Pinky Tibbs |
| 1976–1977 | Gibbsville (TV Series) | Mr. Pell |
| 1977 | Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (TV Movie) | Mayor Douglas |
| 1975–1977 | Police Woman (TV Series) | Mr. Bane | Ed Berrigan |
| 1976 | Columbo (TV Series) | Mark |
| 1976 | The Sad and Lonely Sundays (TV Movie) | Mort Cooper |
| 1976 | Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson | Crutch |
| 1976 | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Guard O'Meara |
| 1976 | Baby Blue Marine | Mr. Hudkins |
| 1976 | Brinks: The Great Robbery (TV Movie) | Ted Flynn |
| 1976 | S.W.A.T. (TV Series) | Heath |
| 1975–1976 | Doc (TV Series) | Father Murphy |
| 1975 | Ironside (TV Series) | Billy Joe |
| 1974–1975 | The Rookies (TV Series) | Lucas Dawson | Malcolm Gates |
| 1975 | Sweet Hostage (TV Movie) | Mr. Withers |
| 1975 | *Nashville* | Star |
| 1974 | California Split | Helen Brown |
| 1974 | Thieves Like Us | T-Dub |
| 1974 | The Death Squad (TV Movie) | The Chief |
| 1972 | Fuzz | Sgt. Murchison |
| 1971 | If Tomorrow Comes (TV Movie) | Coslow |
| 1971 | McCabe & Mrs. Miller | Bart Coyle |
| 1970 | Brewster McCloud | Douglas Breen |
| 1970 | The Strawberry Statement | Policeman at Gate |
| 1965–1969 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | TV News Announcer's Voice | Control Tower Supervisor | Spectrographic Examiner |
| 1966 | The Doomsday Flight (TV Movie) | Police Officer (uncredited) |
| 1965–1966 | Peyton Place (TV Series) | Detective Lawrence | Mr. Lawrence |
| 1965–1966 | The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) | Bartender | Announcer | Heckler |
| 1966 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Jury Foreman |
| 1965 | The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) | Jim Slater |
| 1965 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV Series) | Senator Kimberly (as Bert Ramsen) |
| 1965 | The Lollipop Cover | Salesman |
| 1965 | Profiles in Courage (TV Series) | McCabe |
| 1964 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | 2nd Cop |
| 1964 | 12 O'Clock High (TV Series) | Sgt. Nero | Sergeant Nero |
| 1964 | The Third Man (TV Series) | Charlie |
| 1961–1964 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Dr. MacDonald | Dr. Tom Belmanno | Dr. Oscar Hoag |
| 1964 | Hazel (TV Series) | Federal Man |
| 1963 | Dead Ringer | Dan Lister |
| 1962–1963 | My Three Sons (TV Series) | Mr. Fowler | Captain Maynard |
| 1961–1963 | Route 66 (TV Series) | Police Officer | Army Sergeant | Higgy ... |
| 1963 | The Fugitive (TV Series) | US Coast Guard Skipper |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Frank Summers |
| 1963 | Sam Benedict (TV Series) | Jack Seibert |
| 1963 | Saints and Sinners (TV Series) | Chester Demlow |
| 1962–1963 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Charlie | Colligan |
| 1962 | Going My Way (TV Series) | The 1st Salesman |
| 1962 | The Lloyd Bridges Show (TV Series) | Luke Mason | Tom Taylor |
| 1962 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) | Judge |
| 1962 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | The Sheriff |
| 1962 | Kid Galahad | Max (uncredited) |
| 1961–1962 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Unfriendly Jones | Becket Sharpe |
| 1962 | Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) | Mr. Thompson |
| 1962 | Surfside 6 (TV Series) | Sgt. Owen Crawford |
| 1962 | Moon Pilot | Agent Brown |
| 1961 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | The Officer | Jimmy - Bartender | The Policeman ... |
| 1961 | The Donna Reed Show (TV Series) | Carlson |
| 1961 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Burkhardt |
| 1959–1961 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Murdock | Ash |
| 1961 | Peter Gunn (TV Series) | Frank Dineen |
| 1961 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | Police Lt. White |
| 1961 | The Islanders (TV Series) | Noel Parkinson |
| 1960 | Thriller (TV Series) | First Detective |
| 1960 | Tess of the Storm Country | Mike Foley |
| 1960 | One Step Beyond (TV Series) | Priest |
| 1960 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) | Ted Clevenger |
| 1960 | Lock Up (TV Series) | Brian Carter |
| 1960 | Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series) | Lt. Pierce |
| 1960 | Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series) | Burkett |
| 1960 | The Detectives (TV Series) | Joe Kirby jr. |
| 1960 | Johnny Staccato (TV Series) | Jason Eldridge |
| 1959 | Destination Space (TV Movie) | Technician (uncredited) |
| 1959 | The Man and the Challenge (TV Series) | Ken |
| 1959 | Pork Chop Hill | Lt. Cummings |
| 1959 | U.S. Marshal (TV Series) | Ralph Lacey |
| 1959 | Rescue 8 (TV Series) | Andrew Ramsey |
| 1959 | The D.A.'s Man (TV Series) | Dewie Sander |
| 1959 | Yancy Derringer (TV Series) | Major James Sampson |
| 1959 | M Squad (TV Series) | Harry Frost |
| 1958 | Man with a Camera (TV Series) | Barnes |
| 1958 | Jefferson Drum (TV Series) | Jim Ford |
| 1958 | Maverick (TV Series) | Deputy George |
| 1958 | The Silent Service (TV Series) | Murdock |
| 1957 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Telephone Time (TV Series) | Ned Cullen |
| 1957 | The Web (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Horse |
| 1956 | Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | Playwrights '56 (TV Series) | Hank |
| 1953 | The Web (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Suspense (TV Series) | Guard (uncredited) |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
