John Richard Erdmann was born in Enid, Okla. on June 12, 1925, and as soon as he could, he began to bless the world with his talents.
Erdmann was more commonly known as Dick and during his glory period, his name was extremely common because it appeared in over 160 films and television productions between 1944 and 2017. Some of his most famous roles included hard-hitting films like Stalag 17 and Tora! Tora! Tora!
For the ones who are too young to remember these films, there is no excuse not to watch them since everything is at everybody’s fingertips with the internet. His more recent appearances were in the series “Community” from 2009 to 2015 where he appeared alongside other well-known actors including Chevy Chase and Yvette Nicole Brown.
Erdmann had a normal childhood and was a paper boyfortheColoradoSprings Evening Telegraph until an encouraging comment from a high school teacher led him and his mother to Hollywood to showcase his talents. This proved to be where he belonged as Erdmann went on to appear in film across the stage in many different shows.
Some of these shows revealed his natural eclectic talent and included such familiar and perhaps some not so familiar flicks including Twilight Zone, The Men andPerryMason.Erdmann also guest starred in some familiar shows including Alfred Hitchcock presentations, I Dream of Jeannie, Here’s Lucy, Cheers, Murder She Wrote, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Bionic Woman, Six Million Dollar Man,MayberryR.F.D.,One Day at a Time, Lou Grant, Quincy, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Erdmann’s talents end at the in-person roles, he also had a voice worthy of some great characters including Scooby- Doo and Scrappy-Doo, The Amazing Spider-Man, Johnny Quest, Duck Tales, Snorks, Paddington and Batman The animated Series.
Erdmann also had a hidden talent, directing. He directed the funny-named film “Mooch Goes to Hollywood”. It was a film where a dog named Mooch tries her luck at becoming a star in 1971.
Erdmann has been referred to as a prolific actor and a playful character, and these accolades seem to do him justice. The impact he had on stage seemed to increase in velocity as he continuously appeared across the movie screen and became a regular in most TVs in many American households.
Erdmann lived a little over nine decades leaving an iconic mark on film and television that will never be forgotten. He was a great influence in television and film that will neverdie.Erdmannpassed awayonMarch16,2019,in Los Angeles, Calif. at the age of 93. Many of his fans canrememberhimthrough his iconic roles.