# RIP Richard Moll **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death\ **Created:** [October 28, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206 "2023-10-28T01:52:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/1 "2023-10-28T01:52:51Z")
Best known as Bull from _Night Court_, Richard Moll passed away Thursday at the age of 80. As an aside, it’s strange to realize how many cast members we’ve lost over the years from _Night Court_ whereas of the _Cheers_ ensemble we’ve only lost Kirstie Alley. > **[R.I.P. Night Court star Richard Moll](https://www.avclub.com/r-i-p-night-court-star-richard-moll-1850968994)** > > Moll played bailiff Bull Shannon on all 9 seasons of the NBC hit ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/2 "2023-10-28T01:56:30Z")
That leaves only 2 of the core cast. John Larroquette and Marsha Warfield. Richard Moll didn’t seem to enjoy his legacy as Bull. But he was so good in the role. Goodbye Nostradamus. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/3 "2023-10-28T01:57:04Z")
By some accounts he could be a rather difficult man at times. But he always seemed to give it his all, not just in Night Court but also in smaller roles like House. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/4 "2023-10-28T03:10:53Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > whereas of the _Cheers_ ensemble we’ve only lost Kirstie Alley. And Coach. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/5 "2023-10-28T03:19:16Z")
I had been thinking of cast members who passed since those shows ended production, but _Night Court_ likewise had two actresses who played bailiffs die in short succession before Marsha Warfield (Roz) joined the cast. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/6 "2023-10-28T03:23:40Z")
Selma, played by the legendary Selma Diamond and Florence played by Florence Halop. Selma was one of the two writers on the Show of Shows that were the inspiration for Sally Rogers of the Dick Van Dyke Show. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/7 "2023-10-28T04:01:48Z")
I’m surprised Moll lived so long. Lurch (Ted Cassidy) on The Adams Family died at 46. Shortened life spans are not unusual for the giants. Moll was very good as the imposing bailiff. RIP ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/8 "2023-10-28T04:11:10Z")
Hard to believe Ted Cassidy was only an inch taller than Moll. 6’9" vs. 6’8". I’m pretty sure Cassidy died from complications with a tumor and not a height related medical issue. He was in his 40s. I don’t think 6’8" qualifies as giant. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/9 "2023-10-28T04:18:37Z")
I always felt bad that Moll’s character had a shaved head. I remember seeing him with hair off season and he didn’t look scary. But, I suspect a long-term role, in a hit show made it worthwhile for Moll to go bald. Curly in the 3 Stooges made the same decision. Lose the hair and cash the checks. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/10 "2023-10-28T04:24:21Z")
Weirdly, that was almost an accident. He was apparently doing a small role in a movie with a buzz cut. So in the first episode he’s not shaved, but just very short. They decided they really liked the look and decided to go with bald. ETA, story in here instead of trusting my memory. > **[Richard Moll, 'Night Court's gentle giant bailiff 'Bull' Shannon, dead at 80](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/10/27/richard-moll-dies-bull-night-court/71349713007/)** > > Moll played bailiff Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on the original NBC comedy "Night Court." He died Thursday at age 80. No cause of death was given. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/11 "2023-10-28T04:40:41Z")
“No, no. Not a cow. BULL!” 🤣 In an interview on _ **ET** _, Moll was talking about his being cast as Bull: “They asked me if I was willing to shave my head for the part. I said ‘Are you kidding? I’d shave my _legs_ to get the part!’” I love _ **Night Court** _, and am really sad to hear he’s passed away. RIP, Richard! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/12 "2023-10-28T13:39:29Z")
Just the other night I was watching an old Night Court and thinking how odd it was that John Astin outlived Harry Anderson and Markie Post. In the death pool thread, I said that Selma would be glad to see Bull. I don’t actually believe in an afterlife but it’s a nice thought anyway. Thanks for the laughs, Mr. Moll! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/13 "2023-10-28T13:46:26Z")
Ellen Foley is still alive. My hubby keeps calling her “the Meatloaf girl”. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/14 "2023-10-28T14:29:10Z")
The first year clerk is still alive also. {Karen Austin} Many of the irregulars also like Data from Next Gen. Paula Kelly passed in 2020, she was only in 12 episodes of season 1 though. The first Public Defender on their way to getting Markie Post. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/15 "2023-10-28T14:41:11Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The first year clerk is still alive also. > > Many of the irregulars also like Data from Next Gen. - I was greatly surprised to learn that Bob Wheeler had an acting career. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/16 "2023-10-28T14:56:08Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Goodbye Nostradamus. I always liked that old hunchback. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/17 "2023-10-28T15:39:33Z")
John Larroquette once described Moll as “Three of the five cheapest men I know.” He then told a tale about how they once filmed a scene in which Bull had to borrow a dime to use as a improvised screwdriver. The did a bunch of takes and after each take the dime disappeared into Molls pocket. ETA: And Moll had my favorite line ever from Night Court: “I get it now! ‘Our Father who’s Art in heaven!’” ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/18 "2023-10-28T17:27:12Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I was greatly surprised to learn that Bob Wheeler had an acting career. > 😉 Oh, you’re making that up! 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/19 "2023-10-28T18:39:16Z")
My favorite line from Night Court is also from Bull, when Dan asks him why he carries all his money around instead of putting it in a bank. “People rob banks, Dan.” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206/20 "2023-10-28T18:39:44Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The first year clerk is still alive also. {Karen Austin} > > Many of the irregulars also like Data from Next Gen. John Astin is still alive too, believe it or not. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-richard-moll/992206.md?page=2)