S
ome people are always cast as the straight man. Sometimes the straight man roles can make you a star. One of the most famous straight men on 1960's and 1970's television was Richard Deacon. He is most famous for playing the stoic and unflappable Mel Cooley on the "Dick Van Dyke Show". He was also cast as the always unpleasant Fred Rutherford on "Leave it to Beaver"
Deacon was born and raised in Philadelphia and attended Bennington College. His career took him to Hollywood where he played a series of smaller roles in some very funny movies. He was a comedian but he did it through deadpan looks. His dour appeal made him even funnier than if he had the gag line. He was always the but of Morey Amesterdam's joke on "The Dick Van Dyke Show". He also appeared on "The Lucy Show" playing Tallulah Bankhead's butler. Deacon also appeared on Broadway in "Hello Dolly" along the side of Phyllis Diller.
Richard Deacon was also a gourmet cook. He did infact near the end of his life host a cooking show on Canadian TV. It was based on his own cookbook. his cookbook was all about microwave cooking. He was very social and entertained frequently in his Beverly Hills home. He was very friendly with the likes of Paul Lynde and Nancy Walker. He was also a very quiet gay man and life long bachelor.
Deacon died of heart attack in his home at the age of 62.
