As a character actor, Anderson played everything from cowboys and outlaws to cops, doctors, and government officials — the latter is where Goldman fit in, assigning and hand-holding his bionic spies via the OSI (Office of Scientific Information). He treated them more like family than employees, and memorable mastered the art of the eyeglasses-take-off when discussing serious topics.
Some kids had a Six Million Dollar Man doll – we played with Oscar Goldman. RIP Richard Anderson. https://t.co/RGw2TyfCKd pic.twitter.com/slnf0fzMc1
— Larry Karaszewski (@Karaszewski) August 31, 2017
Anderson’s film credits include the sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet, Stanley Kubrick’s Paths Of Glory, Martin Ritt’s The Long Hot Summer, John Sturges’ Escape From Fort Bravo and John Frankenheimer’s Seven Days In May. On the TV side he had roles in Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, Dynasty, Dan August, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Charlie’s Angels, The A-Team, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bonanza, Ironside, Daniel Boone and Murder, She Wrote.
Born in Long Branch, NJ on August 8, 1926, Anderson was raised in New York City until moving to California at age 10. After serving in the Army during World War II he enrolled in the Actors Laboratory in Los Angeles, which later became the Actors Studio in New York.
He was married to Carol Lee Ladd from 1955-1956, then was married to Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer’s daughter Katherine Thalberg from 1961-1973. He is survived by his and Katherine’s three daughters Ashley Anderson, a real estate agent in Montecito; one time UN ambassador Brooke Anderson; and Deva Anderson, a music supervisor at Playtone.
“Our dad was always there for us and showed us by loving example how to live a full and rich life with gratitude, grace, humor, and fun,” said Ashley Anderson.
Memorial services will be private.