- Lonny Chapman
Lonny Chapman (
October 1 ,1921 –October 12 ,2007 ) was an Americantelevision actor best known for his numerous guest star appearances on detective dramas, including "Quincy, M.E. ", "The A-Team ", "Murder, She Wrote ", "Matlock", and "NYPD Blue ". He also appeared as a guest star on several episodes of "McCloud", which starred his long-time friendDennis Weaver , whom he originally urged to go into show business.Chapman was born in
Tulsa, Oklahoma . Following service in the South Pacific during World War II, Chapman graduated from theUniversity of Oklahoma and then moved to New York City where he landed the role of Turk in "Come Back, Little Sheba ", a role played byRichard Jaeckel in the 1952 film version. After moving to California Chapman appeared in "East of Eden" and "The Birds".He had a starring role in the short-lived 1965 series "For the People". In 1972, Chapman founded the "Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre" in Los Angeles and was named artistic director, a title he held until his death. Under his direction, the nonprofit 99-seat theater staged more than 350 productions and at least 45 premieres of original works.
He appeared in several motion pictures, including the 2000 movie "
Reindeer Games ". Chapman was also a playwright; his works "The Buffalo Skinner" and "Cry of the Raindrop" were both produced Off-Broadway.In the fall of 2005, Lonny Chapman was named "Outstanding Alumnus" at
Missouri Southern State University inJoplin, Missouri . Chapman graduated fromJoplin High School and, in 1940, Joplin Junior College, Missouri Southern's predecessor institution.Chapman died in an area care facility of complications from heart disease. He is survived his wife of 65 years, Erma Dean, and his son Wyley Dean.
External links
* [http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-5120/ TV Tome site on Lonny Chapman]
*imdb name|id=0152452|name=Lonny Chapman
* [http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/11896 Obituary]
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-chapman20oct20,0,4752271,full.story?coll=la-home-obituaries LA Times Obituary]
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