'Soap' Star Richard Mulligan Dies
L O S A N G E L E S, Sept. 28 -- Actor Richard Mulligan, who won Emmys for his portrayals of dads in the sitcoms Soap and Empty Nest, has died at age 67.
Mulligan died at his home Tuesday after a long battle withcancer, publicist Julian Myers said in a statement.
A native of New York, Mulligan began his nearly 40-year careerin show business as an aspiring writer. He fell into acting whenwas drafted into playing a role at a rehearsal while trying to sella play.
From 1977 to 1981, Mulligan played lovable working-classscrewball Burt Campbell — stepfather to Billy Crystal’s character —on the quirky television series Soap. He won an Emmy for therole in 1980.
Movie and Stage RolesOn Empty Nest, a spinoff of The Golden Girls that ranfrom 1988 to 1995, Mulligan played Dr. Harry Weston, a widower withthree grown daughters. The part won him another Emmy, in 1989.
“He’s certainly different from my role on Soap,” Mulligansaid in a 1988 Associated Press interview. “This guy’s a gooddoctor who cares deeply about his patients. He’s a good fellowtrying to take care of his daughters. His wife died 18 months agoand he still can’t take the ring off.”
Among the other highlights of Mulligan’s career was performingon stage with James Stewart in Harvey and working with directorBlake Edwards in the 1981 film S.O.B., which starred JulieAndrews and William Holden.
Mulligan was also featured in 1969’s The Undefeated withJohn Wayne and Rock Hudson, and portrayed Lt. Col. George ArmstrongCuster in the 1970 film Little Big Man.
Mulligan is survived by his son, James, and brothers Robert,director of films such as To Kill a Mockingbird, and James.
