# Show me "Dead!" - Richard Dawson dead at 79 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 3, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937 "2012-06-03T14:49:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [June 3, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/21 "2012-06-03T17:22:48Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Schultz was benevolent. Before the war he was a toymaker. He didn’t have an axe to grind, and just wanted the war to be over. **Klink:** So, Schultz. You worked for the Schatzi Toy Company [before the war]? **Schultz:** No. I **own** the Schatzi Toy Company. **Klink:** _(Switches into bootlicker mode.)_ Have a cigar? > [@](#): > > There was a sad sack skinny guard who didn’t seem a bad sort. He wasn’t benevolent, but he wasn’t a bad guy either. Corporal Karl Langenscheidt, one of Klink’s adjutants. Can you name the other?\* \ ***Hint:** Think “toilet paper.” 😃 ---
**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:** [June 3, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/22 "2012-06-03T17:23:02Z")
Richard was always my favorite on Hogans Heroes. I remember him guest hosting the Tonight Show a few times in the 70’s when Johnny was off. Richard was really good at it too. He was extremely versatile and talented performer. He’ll be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/23 "2012-06-03T17:23:07Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > Before Hogan he appeared on an episode of the Dick van Dyke Show playing ‘Racy’ Tracy Rattigan. He is absolutely inspired in this. Just watch this YouTube clip from the show where he does his Bird Impressions. It’s obvious that van Dyke and the others are in genuine fits of laughter as they watch him. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZ6P2ClHAg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZ6P2ClHAg) He was a cutie, thanks. I found the reaction of van Dyke the funniest thing about that clip. I agree, that wasn’t acting, he was cracking UP. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/24 "2012-06-03T17:25:48Z")
If your kids ever ask you, “Dad what were the 70s like” make 'em watch this celebrity episode of “Family Feud”, [Eight is Enough vs. Love Boat.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPGRxDrQ6h8) (best part the “suprise” at 3:43). ---
**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:** [June 3, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/25 "2012-06-03T17:33:11Z")
> [@fumster](#): > > He saud he was in New York to receive prizes for the show, so it must have aired already. “We’re very pleased; you’ve heard we want to buy it,” is, I assume, a reference to the series pilot. How this relates to the Beatles appearing on Ed Sullivan, I don’t know. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/V4t8K-xTliM/hqdefault.jpg "Richard Dawson on Newkirk's accent on Hogan's Heroes - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4t8K-xTliM) ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/26 "2012-06-03T20:47:30Z")
He was terrific in the Running Man. ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/27 "2012-06-03T21:58:47Z")
I had an aunt appear on the show. They skunked out, but she got a peck on the cheek from him. Loved him in _The Running Man_ as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/28 "2012-06-03T22:35:27Z")
Nitpick: Apparently he was just mimicking a Liverpool accent for the TV role - it wasn’t his native accent since, as aldiboronti points out, he was from a completely different part of England. ---
**Author:** ![Boggette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@Boggette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boggette)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/29 "2012-06-03T22:57:29Z")
I came in just to applaude the thread title. I can see and hear it perfectly in my head. Bravo. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/30 "2012-06-03T23:29:42Z")
I guess Robert Clary (LeBeau) is the only remaining main actor from “Hogan’s Heroes”. There are a couple who were on one or two seasons: ken Washington (Baker) and Cynthia Lynn (Helga). Clary survived Buchenwald and outlasts his mates. From what an “E! True Hollywood Story” on “Family Feud” said a few years ago, he was very demanding on. Always after people to do their jobs better, to make sure the seats were packed so he could perform better. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/31 "2012-06-03T23:35:40Z")
Frog, alligator, september! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/32 "2012-06-03T23:43:21Z")
RIP, Richard. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/33 "2012-06-03T23:58:25Z")
I just read this elsewhere on the web, but it seems that Richard did two separate stints on Family Feud. During the first one was when he met his last wife. Apparently, she was non-plussed by all the kidding, so when he was afforded the chance to return, she asked him to cut it out. He complied. So if you ever watch old episodes were his lips aren’t in action, that would be why. Isn’t that sweet, giving up something for love that you were famous for? Anyway, I loved him on Match Game. His wit was incredible and, once I was old enough, the innuendo was hilariously inappropriate but highly preferable to today’s boring ass standards. May he rest in peace and his loved ones find comfort where they can. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/34 "2012-06-04T01:13:50Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > “We’re very pleased; you’ve heard we want to buy it,” is, I assume, a reference to the series pilot. > > How this relates to the Beatles appearing on Ed Sullivan, I don’t know. > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4t8K-xTliM&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4t8K-xTliM&feature=related) I’m being nitpicky, but the chronology doesn’t match up to me. He says he was in New York because they were up for a couple of prizes. Assuming he means Hogan’s Heroes was up for the prizes, then it would have already aired when he went to see A Hard Days Night, but the movie came out in 1964 and the TV show aired in 1965. But let’s assume the pilot was shot before the Beatles became famous, you still have the problem of the network exec not hearing of The Beatles until Dawson mentioned the movie to him. The Beatles had already been on Ed Sullivan when the movie came out, and trust me, everyone had heard of The Beatles after that and knew they were from Liverpool and had heard how they talk. I assume the gist of the story is true: they asked him to change his accent for the pilot and then later when The Beatles became famous he had a “haw, haw” moment. It just couldn’t have happened when and how he said. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/35 "2012-06-04T04:20:48Z")
Panel in Heaven for Match Game: God, Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Richard Dawson, and the Holy Spirit. Rayburn (to contestant): And which celebrity would you like to try to match? Contestant: Richard, please. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/36 "2012-06-04T12:36:32Z")
Back when GSN didn’t suck ass, they used to have the Dawson Family Feud on every day at 5 pm. Now all the ever show are the vastly inferior modern incarnations. He was one of the great game show hosts, seemed to care about the contestants and sometimes bent the rules just a bit to give them a better shot at the big money. In the Match Game, he was the reliable one. Some of the celebs didn’t take it seriously nor seem to give a damn if they matched the player or not, Richard always gave the best answer that he had. I didn’t care for Hogan’s Heros, the notion of jocularity with the Nazis just doesn’t seem plausible. Not sure how good an actor he was, but as a game show personality he was a great one. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/37 "2012-06-04T12:49:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Did you know that virtually all the actors who played Germans on “Hogan’s Heroes” were Jewish (inlcuding Howard Caine, aka Hochstetter) and that some (including Robert Clary, aka LeBeau) had actually been in Nazi concentration camps? > > They all jumped at the chance to ridicule their former oppressors. Bob Crane once stated in an interview that the point of the series was to show how clever Allied prisoners of war were in outsmarting their captors. > > If you’ve ever read _The Great Escape_, you know what he was talking about. Wow, that’s fascinating. I did not know that. Puts a whole new spin on the show which I only watched as a child. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/38 "2012-06-04T12:58:18Z")
I am actually amazed I know Richard Dawson as well as I do–I have never watched game shows (except the 1950s reruns) and _Hogan’ Heroes_ was \*not \*permitted in my house (my parents wouldn’t even set foot in a Volkswagen or buy from Chanel). ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/39 "2012-06-04T13:01:37Z")
Didn’t Dawson also appear in an episode of M_A_S_H_? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937/40 "2012-06-04T13:03:25Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Always liked him. He was the less-creepy Peter Lawford. I had the exact opposite reaction. I never liked him. He oozed creepiness and I always had the gut feeling he was a deeply unpleasant man IRL. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-me-dead-richard-dawson-dead-at-79/623937.md?page=3)