Randall Carver

Randall Carver (born May 25 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American actor. Carver started his acting career in the late 1960s, and had roles in films and television. He portrayed John Burns throughout the first season (1978–79) of ''Taxi''.

Early life and education

Carver, a Texan native, graduated from Missouri Military Academy and then West Texas State University. He also graduated from the Fine Arts program of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Career

Carver appeared in minor roles, including his uncredited debut in the 1969 film ''Midnight Cowboy''. His first major appearance was the 1973 drama film ''Time to Run'' as Jeff Cole, an environmentalist who attempts to sabotage his father's ( Ed Nelson) nuclear power plant. He portrayed Jeffrey DeVito, gangster husband of Cathy Shumway ( Debralee Scott), in the 1977–78 television series ''Forever Fernwood''. He also made guest appearances in other television series, like '' Emergency!'', ''The Six Million Dollar Man'', and '' The Waltons'', and appeared in stage plays and in made-for-television films during the 1970s.

''Taxi''

In the first season (1978–79) of the television sitcom series ''Taxi'', Carver portrayed John Burns, "a aïve studentref name=LAT94 /> who lands in the taxi business more by default than design." Marley Brant in her book ''Happier Days'' (2006) praised Carver's acting but found his character John not well developed, even with his wedding subplot. Carver said,

His character did not return for the second season.

Post-''Taxi'' career

Carver appeared in other films and television programs thereafter. He made a guest appearance as the fiancé of "a girl from West Virginia" ( Loni Anderson) in one segment of the two-part 1980 episode, which was filmed in 1979, of the television series '' The Love Boat'', alongside other guest stars of the similar segment Donny Osmond and Rich Little. He portrayed a killer in the 1980 made-for-television film ''Detour to Terror''. He portrayed Lieutenant Vaughn Beuhler, the "doltish ieutenant and the station'sprogram director," one of the principal characters in the 1980 sitcom ''The Six O'Clock Follies'', set in the television station in Saigon, South Vietnam, in 1967 (during the Vietnam War). He also appeared in '' The Norm Show'' and ''Malcolm in the Middle'' in late 1990s and 2000s. Carver portrayed Mr. Bankside in the 2007 film '' There Will Be Blood''.

Personal life

Carver is married to writer Shelley Herman.

Selected filmography

Films
* ''Midnight Cowboy'' (1969), uncredited role
* ''Time to Run'' (1974), Jeff Cole – Carver's first major role
* ''Detour to Terror'' (1980, TV), Nick – killer
* '' There Will Be Blood'' (2007), Mr. Bankside

Television series
* '' Emergency!'' (1970s), various roles
* '' The Waltons'', Monty Vandenberg – "The Deed" (1973)
* ''The Six Million Dollar Man'', PFC Robert E. Barris – "Survival of the Fittest" (1974)
* ''Forever Fernwood'' (1977–78), Jeffrey DeVito – rebranded title of ''Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman''
* ''Taxi'', John Burns (1978–79)
* '' The Love Boat'', Elmar Fargas – Season 3, Episode 18–19 (1980)
* ''The Six O'Clock Follies'' (1980), Lt. Vaughn Beuhler
* '' The Norm Show'' (1999–2001), various roles
* ''Malcolm in the Middle'', Joshua – "The Block Party" (2004)

References

; General
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External links

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Living people
Male actors from Fort Worth, Texas
Missouri Military Academy alumni
Place of birth missing (living people)
University of California, Los Angeles alumni
West Texas A&M University alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors