Vale: Richard Anderson

US actor Richard Anderson, best known for The Six Million Dollar Man, has died, aged 91.

He died at his home in Beverly Hills, his publicist announced.

Anderson played secret government agent Oscar Goldman on both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, two hits in the 1970s.

He famously uttered the words in the opening credits of The Six Million Dollar Man: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man.”

He first portrayed Goldman in two 1973 Six Million Dollar Man telemovies before the series began in 1974. The Bionic Woman premiered two years later, with Anderson becoming the first actor to portray the same character on two TV series running concurrently on two US networks.

Mentored by Cary Grant he chalked up a whopping 188 credits on IMDb, mostly in support roles. He began as an MGM contract player in such films as The Magnificent Yankee, Scaramouche, Escape From Fort Bravo and as chief engineer Quinn in Forbidden Planet. Other film credits included The Long Hot Summer, Curse of the Faceless Man, Paths of Glory and Tora! Tora! Tora.

TV credits included The Fugitive, Perry Mason, Dan August, Lights Camera Action, Zorro, The Untouchables, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bus Stop, 12 O’Clock High, Charlie’s Angels, Knight Rider, Fantasy Island and Dynasty.

Lee Majors said, “Richard became a dear and loyal friend, and I have never met a man like him. I called him ‘Old Money.’ His always stylish attire, his class, calmness and knowledge never faltered in his 91 years. He loved his daughters, tennis and his work as an actor. He was still the sweet, charming man when I spoke to him a few weeks ago.”

Lindsay Wagner added: “I can’t begin to say how much I have always admired and have been grateful for the elegance and loving friendship I was blessed to have with Richard Anderson.”

Source: Variety, Hollywood Reporter