Rick Lenz (born November 21, 1939, Springfield, Illinois) [1] is an American actor, author and playwright. Lenz is known for his performances in the films Cactus Flower (1969), The Shootist (1976), and Melvin and Howard (1980).
Rick Lenz (born November 21, 1939, Springfield, Illinois) [1] is an American actor, author and playwright. Lenz is known for his performances in the films Cactus Flower (1969), The Shootist (1976), and Melvin and Howard (1980).
Lenz directed the Jackson, Michigan Civic Theater for two years before relocating to New York to seek work as an actor. In 1965 he made his Broadway debut in Mating Dance, starring Van Johnson. Though the show closed opening night, stage impresario David Merrick was in the audience, and soon afterward cast Lenz in the Broadway hit Cactus Flower as understudy for the juvenile lead role, Igor Sullivan. Lenz later took over the role and played it for a year. Film producer Mike Frankovich and Walter Matthau saw him in the part and cast him as Igor in the film version, with Goldie Hawn.
In the 1970s, Rick Lenz appeared in several Hollywood movies, including How Do I Love Thee? (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Where Does It Hurt? (1972), The Shootist (1976), The Little Dragons (1980) and Melvin and Howard (1980).
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Cactus Flower | Igor Sullivan | |
| 1970 | How Do I Love Thee? | Tom Waltz | |
| 1971 | Scandalous John | Jimmy Whitaker | |
| 1972 | Where Does It Hurt? | Lester Hammond | |
| 1976 | The Shootist | Dobkins | Credited as Richard Lenz |
| 1979 | The Little Dragons | Dick Forbinger | |
| 1980 | Melvin and Howard | Lawyer | |
| 2002 | Home Room | Bereaved Father | |
| 2002 | Tequila Express | Gov. Jeffries | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Green Acres | Brian Williams/Young Man | 4 episodes |
| 1969 | Doc | Dr. Orville | Television Movie |
| 1972 | Ironside | Larry Van Buren | Episode: Achilles Heel |
| 1972 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Don Malory | Episode: Don and Denise |
| 1973 | Circle of Fear | Dr. Stephen Crosley | Episode: Square Parts |
| 1973 | Love, American Style | Mike | Episode: Love and the Growing Romance |
| 1971-74 | Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1972-74 | Hec Ramsey | Chief Oliver Stamp | 10 episodes |
| 1974 | Lucas Tanner | Chuck Lindstrom | Episode: A Question of Privacy |
| 1975 | Violence in Blue | Performer | Television Movie |
| 1975 | Ladies of the Corridor | Charles Nicols | Television Movie |
| 1975 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Michael Marchetti | 2 episodes |
| 1975 | Medical Story | Dr. Donahue | Episode: A Life in the Balance |
| 1975 | Police Woman | Nick Tibbett | Episode: Pattern for Evil |
| 1975 | Kate McShane | Performer | Episode: Publish or Perish |
| 1976 | Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman | Paramedic | 2 episodes |
| 1976 | The Bionic Woman | Dr. Michael Marchetti | 2 episodes |
| 1977 | McMillan & Wife | Father Matheson | Episode: Dark Sunrise |
| 1977 | The Streets of San Francisco | Dave | Episode: One Last Trick |
| 1978 | Fantasy Island | Adam Parks | Episode: Carnival/The Vaudevillians |
| 1980 | One Day at a Time | Arnold Bates | Episode: Triple Play |
| 1980 | Reunion | Walker Hanson | Television Movie |
| 1980 | Vega$ | Doctor | Episode: Black Cat Killer |
| 1981 | Elvis and the Beauty Queen | David Briggs | Television Film |
| 1981 | Dynasty | Dr. Jordan | 3 episodes |
| 1981 | Palmerstown, U.S.A. | Tad | Episode: Dry Hole |
| 1981 | Advise to the Lovehorn | Prof. Jonas Miller | Television Movie |
| 1981 | T.J. Hooker | Dr. Damon Segal | Episode: God Bless the Child |
| 1982 | Lou Grant | Sam Valentine | Episode: Blacklist |
| 1982 | Insight | Brad | Episode: The Fiddler |
| 1982 | Cagney & Lacey | Colton Wyler | Episode: Hot Line |
| 1982 | Silver Spoons | Jack Thompson | Episode: The Best Christmas Ever |
| 1983 | Masquerade | Norman Weber | Episode: Diamonds |
| 1983 | The Greatest American Hero | Dr. Mor | Episode: Desperado |
| 1984 | Automan | Ronald Tilson | Episode: The Biggest Game in Town |
| 1984 | Airwolf | Moses | Episode: Proof Through the Night |
| 1984 | Magnum P.I. | Richard Hasley | Episode: Trans Quoc Jones |
| 1983-1985 | Simon & Simon | Various Roles | 3 episodes |
| 1985 | Malice in Wonderland | Iceman | Television Movie |
| 1986 | All Is Forgiven | Francois Ronning | Episode: On Air Commitment |
| 1986 | You Again? | Pierce | Episode: Marry Me a Little |
| 1986 | Falcon Crest | Dr. Jesset | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | In Self Defense | Chris Fowler | Television Movie |
| 1987 | The New Adventures of Beans Baxter | Benjamin Baxter Sr. | 4 episodes |
| 1988 | The Law & Harry McGraw | Charlie Garrett | Episode: Marginnis for the People |
| 1989 | Spooner | Performer | Television Movie |
| 1990 | The Trials of Rosie O'Neill | Conway | Episode: Mr. Right |
| 1991 | Shadow of a Doubt | Herb | Television Movie |
| 1992 | P.S.I. Luv U | Dr. Walter Flint | Episode: The Chameleon |
| 1992 | FBI: The Untold Stories | Bernie | Episode: Ring of Hostages |
| 1993 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host | Nick Scanlon | Television Movie |
| 1987-96 | Murder, She Wrote | Various Roles | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Wings | Jerry | Episode: What about Larry? |
| 1997 | Home Improvement | Dr. Matthews | Episode: The Flirting Game |
| 1997 | Baywatch | Dr. Gold | Episode: Heal the Bay |
| 2001 | Strong Medicine | Joe Tucker | Episode: Drugstore Cowgirl |
| 2003 | The Practice | Airline Representative | Episode: The Heat of Passion |
| 2012 | Treelore Theatre | Lonny/Mack | 2 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Mating Dance | Jeff | Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway |
| 1965-68 | Cactus Flower | Igor | Royale Theatre, Broadway |
As of 2017, Lenz resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Linda; the couple married in May 1982. [2] He has three children; sons Scott and Charlie, and daughter, Abigail. [2]
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My wife and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary next month [May 2012].
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