Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
m (added link to German language version)
No edit summary
Tag: VE: Source
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{realworld}}
+
{{real world}}
 
{{Sidebar actor
 
{{Sidebar actor
| Name = Richard Libertini
+
|name = Richard Libertini
| image = Akorem Laan.jpg
+
|image = Akorem Laan.jpg
| imagecap = Richard Libertini as Akorem Laan
+
|caption = Richard Libertini as Akorem Laan
  +
|birth name = Richard Joseph Libertini
| Gender = Male
 
| Date of birth = {{d|21|May|1933}}
+
|birthday = {{d|21|May|1933}}
| Place of birth = Cambridge, Massachusetts
+
|birthplace = Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
  +
|deathday = {{d|7|January|2016}}
| Characters = [[Akorem Laan]]
 
  +
|deathplace = Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA
  +
|roles = Actor
 
|characters = [[Akorem Laan]]
 
}}
 
}}
  +
'''Richard Libertini''' {{born|21|May|1933}} is the actor who played [[Akorem Laan]] in the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode {{e|Accession}}.
+
'''Richard Libertini''' {{born|21|May|1933|died|7|January|2016}} was the actor who played [[Akorem Laan]] in the {{s|DS9}} [[DS9 Season 4|fourth season]] episode {{e|Accession}}.
   
 
== Personal ==
 
== Personal ==
 
Libertini was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated from Emerson College in Boston. From 1963 through 1978, he was married to Academy Award-nominated actress Melinda Dillon, with whom he has a son.
 
Libertini was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated from Emerson College in Boston. From 1963 through 1978, he was married to Academy Award-nominated actress Melinda Dillon, with whom he has a son.
  +
  +
Libertini [[Star Trek deaths#January|died]] on 7 January 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 82. {{el|legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n{{=}}RICHARD-LIBERTINI&pid{{=}}177227334#sthash.fQ7DU9CW.dpuf}}
   
 
== Career ==
 
== Career ==
Line 21: Line 27:
   
 
=== 1970s ===
 
=== 1970s ===
In 1970, Libertini and Paul Dooley performed together in the off-Broadway play, ''The White House Murder Case''. That same year, they had small roles as baggage handlers in Arthur Hiller's comedy film ''The Out-of-Towners'' (in which [[Graham Jarvis]] played a mugger). Libertini also had a supporting role in [[Paramount Pictures]]' 1970 war comedy ''Catch-22''. He returned to Broadway later that year, acting opposite fellow DS9 guest actor [[Hamilton Camp]] in ''Paul Sills' Story Theatre''. The following year, he continued working with Camp in another Paul Sills production, ''Ovid's Metamorphoses''. In 1974, Libertini was an understudy on the Broadway production ''Bad Habits'', which starred [[F. Murray Abraham]].
+
In 1970, Libertini and Paul Dooley performed together in the off-Broadway play, ''The White House Murder Case''. That same year, they had small roles as baggage handlers in {{wt|The Out-of-Towners (1970 film)|The Out-of-Towners}} (in which [[Graham Jarvis]] played a mugger). Libertini also had a supporting role in [[Paramount Pictures]]' {{wt|Catch-22 (film)|Catch-22}} (1970). He returned to Broadway later that year, acting opposite fellow ''Deep Space Nine'' guest actor [[Hamilton Camp]] in ''Paul Sills' Story Theatre''. The following year, he continued working with Camp in another Paul Sills production, ''Ovid's Metamorphoses''. In 1974, Libertini was an understudy on the Broadway production ''Bad Habits'', which starred [[F. Murray Abraham]].
   
In 1975, Libertini appeared in the film ''I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?'', along with [[Harvey Jason]] and [[Jay Robinson]]. Libertini's subsequent film credits during the 1970s included small roles in Alan Arkin's 1977 comedy ''Fire Sale'' (with [[Don Keefer]]) and Terrence Malick's 1978 romantic drama ''Days of Heaven'' (from Paramount Pictures). These were followed by the principal role of General Garcia, an insane Latin American dictator, in Arthur Hiller's 1979 action comedy, ''The In-Laws''. This film also featured a young [[Ed Begley, Jr.]] and [[Rosanna DeSoto]].
+
In 1975, Libertini appeared in the film ''I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?'', along with [[Harvey Jason]] and [[Jay Robinson]]. Libertini's subsequent film credits during the 1970s included small roles in {{wt|Fire Sale (film)|Fire Sale}} (1977, with [[Don Keefer]]) and {{wt|Days of Heaven}} (1978, from Paramount Pictures). These were followed by the principal role of General Garcia, an insane Latin American dictator, in {{wt|The In-Laws (1979 film)|The In-Laws}} (1979, featuring [[Ed Begley, Jr.]] and [[Rosana DeSoto]]).
   
During the late 1970s, the majority of Libertini's credits were guest appearances on television. Some of the shows on which he appeared were ''Quincy, M.E.'' (with [[Robert Ito]] and [[Garry Walberg]]), ''Charlie's Angels'' (with [[Alfred Ryder]]), ''Baretta'' (with [[Elisha Cook]]), ''The Bionic Woman'' (also with Elisha Cook), ''The Bob Newhart Show'' (two episodes, including one with [[Craig Wasson]]), ''Alice'' (with [[Vic Tayback]]), and ''Laverne & Shirley'' (with [[David L. Lander]] and [[Michael McKean]]). He also played the recurring role The Godfather during the first season of the daytime soap opera spoof ''Soap'' and appeared in three episodes of ''Barney Miller'', on which [[Ron Glass]] was a regular. One of Libertini's ''Marney Miller'' episodes also featured [[James Gregory]] and [[Nehemiah Persoff]].
+
During the late 1970s, the majority of Libertini's credits were guest appearances on television. Some of the shows on which he appeared were {{wt|Quincy, M.E.}} (with [[Robert Ito]] and [[Garry Walberg]]), {{wt|Charlie's Angels}} (with [[Alfred Ryder]]), ''Baretta'' (with [[Elisha Cook]]), ''The Bionic Woman'' (also with Elisha Cook), ''The Bob Newhart Show'' (two episodes, including one with [[Craig Wasson]]), {{wt|Alice (TV series)|Alice}} (with [[Victor Tayback]]), and ''Laverne & Shirley'' (with [[David L. Lander]] and [[Michael McKean]]). He also played the recurring role The Godfather during the first season of the daytime soap opera spoof ''Soap'' and appeared in three episodes of ''Barney Miller'', on which [[Ron Glass]] was a regular. One of Libertini's ''Marney Miller'' episodes also featured [[James Gregory]] and [[Nehemiah Persoff]].
   
 
Libertini's other TV credits during the 1970s included a role in a segment of ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' titled ''Fame'', on which he was directed by [[Marc Daniels]]. Libertini also had a role in the 1978 TV movie ''Three on a Date'', as did [[Branscombe Richmond]].
 
Libertini's other TV credits during the 1970s included a role in a segment of ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' titled ''Fame'', on which he was directed by [[Marc Daniels]]. Libertini also had a role in the 1978 TV movie ''Three on a Date'', as did [[Branscombe Richmond]].
   
 
=== 1980s ===
 
=== 1980s ===
Libertini and former stand-up partner Paul Dooley acted together in Robert Altman's 1980 film ''Popeye''. Libertini played George W. Geezil, the greengrocer who constantly argued with Dooley's character, the hamburger-loving Wimpy. This film starred [[Robin Williams]] in the title role, and also featured [[Ray Walston]] as Popeye's "Pappy." After ''Popeye'', Libertini and Dooley worked on two more comedy films together: ''Going Berserk'' in 1983 (which also featured [[Kurtwood Smith]]) and ''Big Trouble'' in 1986 (with [[Warren Munson]] and [[Barbara Tarbuck]]).
+
Libertini and former stand-up partner Paul Dooley acted together in Robert Altman's 1980 film ''Popeye''. Libertini played George W. Geezil, the greengrocer who constantly argued with Dooley's character, the hamburger-loving Wimpy. This film starred [[Robin Williams]] in the title role, and also featured [[Ray Walston]] as Popeye's "Pappy." After ''Popeye'', Libertini and Dooley worked on {{wt|Going Berserk}} (1983, featuring [[Kurtwood Smith]]) and {{wt|Big Trouble (1986 film)|Big Trouble}} (1986, with [[Warren Munson]] and [[Barbara J. Tarbuck]]).
   
Perhaps Libertini's most notable film role during the 1980s was that of Frank Walker (not to be confused with [[Frank Welker]]) in the hit 1985 comedy ''Fletch''. Libertini's fellow DS9 guest actor [[Kenneth Mars]] had a role in this film, as well, while [[James Avery]] and [[Bruce French]] made brief appearances. Libertini reprised his role as Frank in the 1989 sequel, ''Fletch Lives'' with [[Jordan Lund]] and [[Tom McCleister]].
+
Perhaps Libertini's most notable film role during the 1980s was that of Frank Walker (not to be confused with [[Frank Welker]]) in {{wt|Fletch (film)|Fletch}} (1985, with [[Kenneth Mars]], [[James Avery]] and [[Bruce French]]} Libertini reprised his role as Frank in {{wt|Fletch Lives}} (1989, with [[Jordan Lund]] and [[Tom McCleister]].
   
Libertini landed supporting roles in several other comedy films throughout the 1980s, including ''Soup for One'' (acting alongside [[Gerrit Graham]], [[Andrea Martin]], and [[Saul Rubinek]]), ''Best Friends'' (with [[Joan Pringle]]), ''Deal of the Century'' (with [[Richard Herd]], [[Graham Jarvis]], and [[Wallace Shawn]]), and ''All of Me'' (with [[Michael Ensign]]). He also appeared in the 1981 action thriller ''Sharky's Machine'', along with [[Bernie Casey]], [[John Fiedler]], and [[Brian Keith]], and in the 1988 action thriller ''Betrayed'', with [[David Clennon]] and [[Albert Hall]].
+
Libertini landed supporting roles in several other comedy films throughout the 1980s, including {{wt|Soup for One (film)|Soup for One}} (1982, acting alongside [[Gerrit Graham]], [[Andrea Martin]], and [[Saul Rubinek]]), {{wt|Best Friends (1982 film)|Best Friends}} (1982, with [[Joan Pringle]]), {{wt|Deal of the Century}} (1983, with [[Richard Herd]], [[Graham Jarvis]], and [[Wallace Shawn]]), and {{wt|All of Me (1984 film)|All of Me}} (1984, with [[Michael Ensign]]). He also appeared in {{wt|Sharky's Machine}} (1981, with [[Bernie Casey]], [[John Fiedler]], and [[Brian Keith]], and {{wt|Betrayed (1988 film)|Betrayed}} (1988, with [[David Clennon]] and [[Albert Hall]].
   
On television, Libertini was directed by [[Leo Penn]] on a two-part episode of ''Bret Maverick'' in 1981 and an episode of ''Trapper John, M.D.'' (with [[Anthony De Longis]] and [[Madge Sinclair]]) in 1984. He also played King Murrray opposite [[Rene Auberjonois]]' King Boris and [[Sally Kellerman]]'s Queen Natasha and Queen Farrah in the ''Faerie Tale Theatre'' production of ''Sleeping Beauty''. Later, he guest-starred on an episode of ''Moonlighting'' with [[Charles Rocket]] and made an appearance on ''Jeannetta Arnette'', which starred [[Jeannetta Arnette]]. In addition, Libertini had roles in the late 1980s TV movies ''The Trial of Bernhard Goetz'' (with [[Jordan Lund]] and [[Andrew Robinson]]) and ''Fair Game'' (with [[Clancy Brown]]).
+
On television, Libertini was directed by [[Leo Penn]] on a two-part episode of ''Bret Maverick'' in 1981 and an episode of {{wt|Trapper John, M.D.}} (with [[Anthony De Longis]] and [[Madge Sinclair]]) in 1984. He also played King Murray opposite [[René Auberjonois]]' King Boris and [[Sally Kellerman]]'s Queen Natasha and Queen Farrah in the ''Faerie Tale Theatre'' production of ''Sleeping Beauty''. Later, he guest-starred on an episode of ''Moonlighting'' with [[Charles Rocket]] and made an appearance on ''Jeannetta Arnette'', which starred [[Jeannetta Arnette]]. In addition, Libertini had roles in the late 1980s TV movies ''The Trial of Bernhard Goetz'' (with [[Jordan Lund]] and [[Andrew Robinson]]) and ''Fair Game'' (with [[Clancy Brown]]).
   
 
=== 1990s ===
 
=== 1990s ===
Libertini was the voice of Dijon in the animated 1990 Disney film ''DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp''. His character was the lackey of the film's main villain, the evil magician Morlock, who was voiced by [[Christopher Lloyd]]. Libertini had previously voiced Dijon in several episodes of the ''DuckTales'' TV series on which the movie was based.
+
Libertini was the voice of Dijon in the animated 1990 Disney film ''DuckTales: The Movie Treasure of the Lost Lamp''. His character was the lackey of the film's main villain, the evil magician Morlock, who was voiced by [[Christopher Lloyd]]. Libertini had previously voiced Dijon in several episodes of the ''DuckTales'' TV series on which the movie was based.
   
Libertini had a supporting role in the acclaimed, Academy Award-winning 1990 film ''Awakenings'', starring Robert De Niro and the aforementioned Robin Williams. Libertini was also seen in Brian De Palma's ''The Bonfire of the Vanities'', which was released one day after ''Awakenings''. The cast of ''The Bonfire of the Vanities'' also included fellow ''[[Star Trek]]'' alumni [[F. Murray Abraham]], [[Kim Cattrall]], [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Louis Giambalvo]], [[John Hancock]], [[Norman Parker]], and the aforementioned Saul Rubinek.
+
Libertini had a supporting role in {{wt|Awakenings}}, starring the aforementioned Robin Williams. Libertini was also seen in {{wt|The Bonfire of the Vanities}}, which was released one day after ''Awakenings''. The cast of ''The Bonfire of the Vanities'' also included fellow ''[[Star Trek]]'' alumni [[F. Murray Abraham]], [[Kim Cattrall]], [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Louis Giambalvo]], [[John Hancock]], [[Norman Parker]], and Saul Rubinek.
   
During the 1990-1991 television season, Libertini was a regular on the short-lived [[NBC]] series ''The Fanelli Boys''. He then became a regular on another NBC sitcom, ''Pacific Station'', but this series also did not last long. [[Megan Gallagher]] and the aforementioned John Hancock were also regulars on ''Pacific Station''.
+
During the 1990-1991 television season, Libertini was a regular on [[NBC]]'s {{wt|The Fanelli Boys}}. He then became a regular on {{wt|Pacific Station (TV series)|Pacific Station}}, but this series also did not last long. [[Megan Gallagher]] and the aforementioned John Hancock were also regulars on ''Pacific Station''.
   
In the 1994 film ''Nell'', Libertini played the supporting role of psychologist Alexander Paleyworked. That same year, he worked with [[David Huddleston]] and [[Vincent Schiavelli]] on a little known comedy film called ''Cultivating Charlie''. Libertini later made an uncredited appearance as a rabbi in ''Lethal Weapon 4'', which also featured [[Jack Kehler]] and [[Richard Riehle]].
+
In the 1994 film ''Nell'', Libertini played the supporting role of psychologist Alexander Paleyworked. That same year, he worked with [[David Huddleston]] and [[Vincent Schiavelli]] on a little known comedy film called ''Cultivating Charlie''. Libertini later made an uncredited appearance as a rabbi in {{wt|Lethal Weapon 4}} (1998, featuring [[Jack Kehler]] and [[Richard Riehle]]).
   
Throughout the 1990s, Libertini made guest appearances on television shows such as ''L.A. Law'' (starring [[Corbin Bernsen]] and [[Larry Drake]], in an episode with [[Joanna Cassidy]], John Fiedler, and [[Matt McCoy]]), ''Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'' (directed by [[James A. Contner]] and acting with [[K Callan]], [[Teri Hatcher]], and [[Tracy Scoggins]]), and ''Chicago Hope'' (with [[Jim Metzler]]). He was also a frequent guest star on [[CBS Television Studios|CBS]]' ''Murder, She Wrote'' (working with [[Sam Anderson]], [[Kim Darby]], [[Meg Foster]], [[Molly Hagan]], [[Kerrie Keane]], [[Wallace Langham]], [[Tracy Middendorf]], [[Jeffrey Nordling]], and [[Gregory Sierra]]) and NBC's ''Law & Order''. In addition, he took on voice-over roles on such cartoons as ''Animaniacs'', ''Pinky and the Brain'', and ''Duckman'' (the latter of which featured the voice of [[Jason Alexander]] in the title role).
+
Throughout the 1990s, Libertini made guest appearances on television shows such as {{wt|L.A. Law}} (starring [[Corbin Bernsen]] and [[Larry Drake]], in an episode with [[Joanna Cassidy]], John Fiedler, and [[Matt McCoy]]), {{wt|Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman}} (directed by [[James A. Contner]] and acting with [[K Callan]], [[Teri Hatcher]], and [[Tracy Scoggins]]), and {{wt|Chicago Hope}} (with [[Jim Metzler]]). He was also a frequent guest star on [[CBS Studios|CBS]]' {{wt|Murder, She Wrote}} (working with [[Sam Anderson]], [[Kim Darby]], [[Meg Foster]], [[Molly Hagan]], [[Kerrie Keane]], [[Wallace Langham]], [[Tracy Middendorf]], [[Jeffrey Nordling]], and [[Gregory Sierra]]) and {{wt|Law & Order}}. In addition, he took on voice-over roles on such cartoons as ''Animaniacs'', ''Pinky and the Brain'', and ''Duckman'' (the latter of which featured the voice of [[Jason Alexander]] in the title role).
   
 
Libertini was directed from [[Nicholas Meyer]] in the 1999 TV movie ''Vendetta'', which also featured Clancy Brown and [[Bruce Davison]]. Libertini's other TV movie credits during the 1990s included ''Extreme Close-Up'' (with [[Bibi Besch]], [[Jefrey Alan Chandler]], Kerrie Keane, and [[Cristine Rose]]), ''House of Frankenstein'' (with [[Karen Austin]], [[Steve Rankin]], and [[Jennifer Savidge]]), ''A Bright Shining Lie'' (with [[Ed Lauter]], [[Harve Presnell]], and Kurtwood Smith), and ''Columbo: Ashes to Ashes'' (with [[Spencer Garrett]], Sally Kellerman, and Richard Riehle).
 
Libertini was directed from [[Nicholas Meyer]] in the 1999 TV movie ''Vendetta'', which also featured Clancy Brown and [[Bruce Davison]]. Libertini's other TV movie credits during the 1990s included ''Extreme Close-Up'' (with [[Bibi Besch]], [[Jefrey Alan Chandler]], Kerrie Keane, and [[Cristine Rose]]), ''House of Frankenstein'' (with [[Karen Austin]], [[Steve Rankin]], and [[Jennifer Savidge]]), ''A Bright Shining Lie'' (with [[Ed Lauter]], [[Harve Presnell]], and Kurtwood Smith), and ''Columbo: Ashes to Ashes'' (with [[Spencer Garrett]], Sally Kellerman, and Richard Riehle).
   
 
=== 2000s ===
 
=== 2000s ===
In 2000, Libertini appeared on four different television shows: ''NYPD Blue'' (starring [[Gordon Clapp]]), ''Once and Again'' (working with [[William O. Campbell|Billy Campbell]], [[Ellen Geer]], and Jeffrey Nordling), ''Nash Bridges'' (in an episode with [[Melinda Clarke]], [[Caroline Lagerfelt]], Kenneth Mars, and [[Marc Worden]]), and ''The District''. The following year, he was seen on ''Cursed'', a short-lived NBC show which starred fellow DS9 guest actor [[Steven Weber]].
+
In 2000, Libertini appeared {{wt|NYPD Blue}} (starring [[Gordon Clapp]]), ''Once and Again'' (working with [[Billy Campbell]], [[Ellen Geer]], and Jeffrey Nordling), {{wt|Nash Bridges}} (in an episode with [[Melinda Clarke]], [[Caroline Lagerfelt]], Kenneth Mars, and [[Marc Worden]]), and ''The District''. The following year, he was seen on ''Cursed'', a short-lived NBC show which starred fellow ''Deep Space Nine'' guest actor [[Steven Weber]].
  +
 
Libertini subsequently appeared on ''The Drew Carey Show'' (on which [[Diedrich Bader]] and [[John Carroll Lynch]] were regulars), {{wt|Monk (2004 TV series)|Monk}} (in an episode with [[Daniel Roebuck]]), and {{wt|Numbers (TV series)|Numbers}}. He also lent his voice to episodes of the animated shows ''Static Shock'' and ''The Zeta Project''. One of his last guest appearances was on the CW series ''Supernatural'', along with [[John Rubinstein]].
   
 
Libertini's later film credits included {{wt|The 4th Tenor}} (2002, again working with both Hamilton Camp and Vincent Schiavelli), {{wt|Grilled (film)|Grilled}} (2002, with Jack Kehler), and, most recently, {{wt|Everybody Wants to Be Italian}} (2007). He was also seen in the 2007 TV movie ''Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss'', along with [[Stanley Kamel]] and [[Steve Vinovich]].
Libertini subsequently appeared on ''The Drew Carey Show'' (on which [[Diedrich Bader]] and [[John Carroll Lynch]] were regulars), ''Monk'' (in an episode with [[Daniel Roebuck]]), and ''Numb3rs''. He has also lent his voice to episodes of the animated shows ''Static Shock'' and ''The Zeta Project''. His most recent guest appearance was on the CW series ''Supernatural'', along with [[John Rubinstein]].
 
   
 
In 2004, Libertini appeared on the Broadway stage for the first time in thirty years when he briefly performed in a revival of Larry Gelbart's play ''Sly Fox''. For this production, Libertini took over the role of Jethro Crouch from his ''Deep Space Nine'' (and ''Sleeping Beauty'') co-star, René Auberjonois. Libertini played the role during the last two weeks of the show's performances; it had already been playing for over four months.
Libertini's latest film credits have included the 2002 Rodney Dangerfield comedy ''The 4th Tenor'' (again working with both Hamilton Camp and Vincent Schiavelli), the 2006 comedy ''Grilled'' (with Jack Kehler), and, most recently, the 2007 comedy ''Everybody Wants to Be Italian''. He was also seen in the 2007 TV movie ''Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss'', along with [[Stanley Kamel]] and [[Steve Vinovich]].
 
   
  +
=== 2010s ===
In 2004, Libertini appeared on the Broadway stage for the first time in thirty years when he briefly performed in a revival of Larry Gelbart's play ''Sly Fox''. For this production, Libertini took over the role of Jethro Crouch from his DS9 (and ''Sleeping Beauty'') co-star, Rene Auberjonois. Libertini played the role during the last two weeks of the show's performances; it had already been playing for over four months.
 
  +
In 2010, Libertini appeared in an episode of Disney Channel's ''Sonny with a Chance'' along with [[Daniel Roebuck]]. The following year, he was seen as a fisherman in the hit 2011 film ''Dolphin Tale'', starring [[Ashley Judd]]. He made his final screen appearances in 2015 with a guest role in two episodes of the NBC crime drama ''Aquarius'', the second of which was directed by [[Roxann Dawson]].
   
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
  +
* {{imdb|name/nm0508844||external}}
* {{wikipedia|Richard Libertini}}
+
* {{wikipedia}}
*{{IMDb-link|page=nm0508844}}
 
   
  +
{{DEFAULTSORT|Libertini, Richard}}
 
[[de:Richard Libertini]]
 
[[de:Richard Libertini]]
 
[[es:Richard Libertini]]
 
[[es:Richard Libertini]]
 
[[nl:Richard Libertini]]
 
[[nl:Richard Libertini]]
[[Category:Performers|Libertini, Richard]]
+
[[Category:Performers]]
[[Category:DS9 performers|Libertini, Richard]]
+
[[Category:DS9 performers]]

Latest revision as of 09:57, 22 January 2024

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Richard Libertini (21 May 19337 January 2016; age 82) was the actor who played Akorem Laan in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fourth season episode "Accession".

Personal

Libertini was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated from Emerson College in Boston. From 1963 through 1978, he was married to Academy Award-nominated actress Melinda Dillon, with whom he has a son.

Libertini died on 7 January 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 82. [1]

Career

1960s

Libertini moved to New York, where, in 1960, he developed an off-Broadway revue called Stewed Prunes, along with two former college classmates. During the early 1960s, he was part of a stand-up comedy act consisting of himself and Paul Dooley known as "Paul Dooley and Dick Liberti". Although the act split up after a short time, Libertini and Dooley later worked on several films and stage productions together. Dooley himself also became a guest star on Deep Space Nine.

In 1966, Libertini made his Broadway stage debut playing Father Drobney in Woody Allen's Don't Drink the Water. He reprised the role in the 1969 film adaptation of the same name, having made his film debut the year before in the comedy The Night They Raided Minksy's. Andrew Laszlo was the Director of Photography on this latter film.

1970s

In 1970, Libertini and Paul Dooley performed together in the off-Broadway play, The White House Murder Case. That same year, they had small roles as baggage handlers in The Out-of-Towners (in which Graham Jarvis played a mugger). Libertini also had a supporting role in Paramount Pictures' Catch-22 (1970). He returned to Broadway later that year, acting opposite fellow Deep Space Nine guest actor Hamilton Camp in Paul Sills' Story Theatre. The following year, he continued working with Camp in another Paul Sills production, Ovid's Metamorphoses. In 1974, Libertini was an understudy on the Broadway production Bad Habits, which starred F. Murray Abraham.

In 1975, Libertini appeared in the film I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now?, along with Harvey Jason and Jay Robinson. Libertini's subsequent film credits during the 1970s included small roles in Fire Sale (1977, with Don Keefer) and Days of Heaven (1978, from Paramount Pictures). These were followed by the principal role of General Garcia, an insane Latin American dictator, in The In-Laws (1979, featuring Ed Begley, Jr. and Rosana DeSoto).

During the late 1970s, the majority of Libertini's credits were guest appearances on television. Some of the shows on which he appeared were Quincy, M.E. (with Robert Ito and Garry Walberg), Charlie's Angels (with Alfred Ryder), Baretta (with Elisha Cook), The Bionic Woman (also with Elisha Cook), The Bob Newhart Show (two episodes, including one with Craig Wasson), Alice (with Victor Tayback), and Laverne & Shirley (with David L. Lander and Michael McKean). He also played the recurring role The Godfather during the first season of the daytime soap opera spoof Soap and appeared in three episodes of Barney Miller, on which Ron Glass was a regular. One of Libertini's Marney Miller episodes also featured James Gregory and Nehemiah Persoff.

Libertini's other TV credits during the 1970s included a role in a segment of Hallmark Hall of Fame titled Fame, on which he was directed by Marc Daniels. Libertini also had a role in the 1978 TV movie Three on a Date, as did Branscombe Richmond.

1980s

Libertini and former stand-up partner Paul Dooley acted together in Robert Altman's 1980 film Popeye. Libertini played George W. Geezil, the greengrocer who constantly argued with Dooley's character, the hamburger-loving Wimpy. This film starred Robin Williams in the title role, and also featured Ray Walston as Popeye's "Pappy." After Popeye, Libertini and Dooley worked on Going Berserk (1983, featuring Kurtwood Smith) and Big Trouble (1986, with Warren Munson and Barbara J. Tarbuck).

Perhaps Libertini's most notable film role during the 1980s was that of Frank Walker (not to be confused with Frank Welker) in Fletch (1985, with Kenneth Mars, James Avery and Bruce French} Libertini reprised his role as Frank in Fletch Lives (1989, with Jordan Lund and Tom McCleister.

Libertini landed supporting roles in several other comedy films throughout the 1980s, including Soup for One (1982, acting alongside Gerrit Graham, Andrea Martin, and Saul Rubinek), Best Friends (1982, with Joan Pringle), Deal of the Century (1983, with Richard Herd, Graham Jarvis, and Wallace Shawn), and All of Me (1984, with Michael Ensign). He also appeared in Sharky's Machine (1981, with Bernie Casey, John Fiedler, and Brian Keith, and Betrayed (1988, with David Clennon and Albert Hall.

On television, Libertini was directed by Leo Penn on a two-part episode of Bret Maverick in 1981 and an episode of Trapper John, M.D. (with Anthony De Longis and Madge Sinclair) in 1984. He also played King Murray opposite René Auberjonois' King Boris and Sally Kellerman's Queen Natasha and Queen Farrah in the Faerie Tale Theatre production of Sleeping Beauty. Later, he guest-starred on an episode of Moonlighting with Charles Rocket and made an appearance on Jeannetta Arnette, which starred Jeannetta Arnette. In addition, Libertini had roles in the late 1980s TV movies The Trial of Bernhard Goetz (with Jordan Lund and Andrew Robinson) and Fair Game (with Clancy Brown).

1990s

Libertini was the voice of Dijon in the animated 1990 Disney film DuckTales: The Movie Treasure of the Lost Lamp. His character was the lackey of the film's main villain, the evil magician Morlock, who was voiced by Christopher Lloyd. Libertini had previously voiced Dijon in several episodes of the DuckTales TV series on which the movie was based.

Libertini had a supporting role in Awakenings, starring the aforementioned Robin Williams. Libertini was also seen in The Bonfire of the Vanities, which was released one day after Awakenings. The cast of The Bonfire of the Vanities also included fellow Star Trek alumni F. Murray Abraham, Kim Cattrall, Kirsten Dunst, Louis Giambalvo, John Hancock, Norman Parker, and Saul Rubinek.

During the 1990-1991 television season, Libertini was a regular on NBC's The Fanelli Boys. He then became a regular on Pacific Station, but this series also did not last long. Megan Gallagher and the aforementioned John Hancock were also regulars on Pacific Station.

In the 1994 film Nell, Libertini played the supporting role of psychologist Alexander Paleyworked. That same year, he worked with David Huddleston and Vincent Schiavelli on a little known comedy film called Cultivating Charlie. Libertini later made an uncredited appearance as a rabbi in Lethal Weapon 4 (1998, featuring Jack Kehler and Richard Riehle).

Throughout the 1990s, Libertini made guest appearances on television shows such as L.A. Law (starring Corbin Bernsen and Larry Drake, in an episode with Joanna Cassidy, John Fiedler, and Matt McCoy), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (directed by James A. Contner and acting with K Callan, Teri Hatcher, and Tracy Scoggins), and Chicago Hope (with Jim Metzler). He was also a frequent guest star on CBS' Murder, She Wrote (working with Sam Anderson, Kim Darby, Meg Foster, Molly Hagan, Kerrie Keane, Wallace Langham, Tracy Middendorf, Jeffrey Nordling, and Gregory Sierra) and Law & Order. In addition, he took on voice-over roles on such cartoons as Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Duckman (the latter of which featured the voice of Jason Alexander in the title role).

Libertini was directed from Nicholas Meyer in the 1999 TV movie Vendetta, which also featured Clancy Brown and Bruce Davison. Libertini's other TV movie credits during the 1990s included Extreme Close-Up (with Bibi Besch, Jefrey Alan Chandler, Kerrie Keane, and Cristine Rose), House of Frankenstein (with Karen Austin, Steve Rankin, and Jennifer Savidge), A Bright Shining Lie (with Ed Lauter, Harve Presnell, and Kurtwood Smith), and Columbo: Ashes to Ashes (with Spencer Garrett, Sally Kellerman, and Richard Riehle).

2000s

In 2000, Libertini appeared NYPD Blue (starring Gordon Clapp), Once and Again (working with Billy Campbell, Ellen Geer, and Jeffrey Nordling), Nash Bridges (in an episode with Melinda Clarke, Caroline Lagerfelt, Kenneth Mars, and Marc Worden), and The District. The following year, he was seen on Cursed, a short-lived NBC show which starred fellow Deep Space Nine guest actor Steven Weber.

Libertini subsequently appeared on The Drew Carey Show (on which Diedrich Bader and John Carroll Lynch were regulars), Monk (in an episode with Daniel Roebuck), and Numbers. He also lent his voice to episodes of the animated shows Static Shock and The Zeta Project. One of his last guest appearances was on the CW series Supernatural, along with John Rubinstein.

Libertini's later film credits included The 4th Tenor (2002, again working with both Hamilton Camp and Vincent Schiavelli), Grilled (2002, with Jack Kehler), and, most recently, Everybody Wants to Be Italian (2007). He was also seen in the 2007 TV movie Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss, along with Stanley Kamel and Steve Vinovich.

In 2004, Libertini appeared on the Broadway stage for the first time in thirty years when he briefly performed in a revival of Larry Gelbart's play Sly Fox. For this production, Libertini took over the role of Jethro Crouch from his Deep Space Nine (and Sleeping Beauty) co-star, René Auberjonois. Libertini played the role during the last two weeks of the show's performances; it had already been playing for over four months.

2010s

In 2010, Libertini appeared in an episode of Disney Channel's Sonny with a Chance along with Daniel Roebuck. The following year, he was seen as a fisherman in the hit 2011 film Dolphin Tale, starring Ashley Judd. He made his final screen appearances in 2015 with a guest role in two episodes of the NBC crime drama Aquarius, the second of which was directed by Roxann Dawson.

External links