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Ronnie Schell, a prolific TV characteristic character possibly champion known for his portrayal of nan amiable Pvt. Duke Slater, pal of Jim Nabors’ hayseed Gomer Pyle connected nan ’60s sitcom of that name, died of earthy causes coming astatine UCLA Hospital successful Los Angeles. He was 94.
His decease was announced by family.
Born Ronald Ralph Schell connected December 23, 1931, successful Richmond, California, Schell began his show business profession while a elder astatine San Francisco State University erstwhile he auditioned astatine nan city’s famed Purple Onion nightclub arsenic a stand-up comedian.
Signed for a 5 period stint, Schell, aft graduation, began playing different clubs successful nan area, including North Beach’s Hungry I, Bimbo’s 365 Club and Fack’s 11 Jazz Club. He would later play immoderate of nan astir prestigious hotels and casinos successful Las Vegas, wherever he performed occasionally until his death.
The first of astir 150 TV credits was an quality connected nan Grouch Marx crippled show You Bet Your Life, and while still playing supper clubs successful New York City, Chicago and astir nan country, Schell recovered his signature domiciled playing nan friends Duke from 1964-1969 connected Gomer Pyle: USMC, nan deed spinoff from The Andy Griffith Show starring Nabors arsenic nan erstwhile Mayberry resident who bumbles his measurement done a stint successful nan Marines.
Other roles soon came, including a recurring characteristic connected Marlo Thomas’ That Girl as nan title character’s ever striving supplier Harvey Peck. In 1967 he co-starred pinch Joby Baker connected nan one-season sitcom Good Morning World as a greeting thrust power disc jockey duo. The bid besides featured a young Goldie Hawn.
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