Robert Mandan

Robert Mandan (February 2, 1932 – April 29, 2018) was an American actor, best known for his roles as Sam Reynolds on ''Search for Tomorrow'' (1965–1970), Chester Tate, the womanizing businessman husband of Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond) on the satirical sitcom ''Soap'' (1977–1981) and James Bradford on the short lived ''Three's Company'' spin off ''Three's A Crowd'' (1984–1985) that lasted for one season.

Career

Mandan first acted in such television serials as NBC's ''From These Roots'' (1958–1961) and businessman Sam Reynolds on ''Search for Tomorrow'' (1965–1970). He also appeared on Broadway in the 1970 musical ''Applause''.

His sitcom appearances prior to ''Soap'' include an auctioneer in the 1972 premiere episode of ''Sanford and Son'', attorney Mr. Morrison in a 1973 episode of ''All in the Family'', and Maude's gay friend Barry on a 1974 episode of '' Maude''. He also appeared in the ''Barnaby Jones'' episodes titled "Counterfall" and "Killer on Campus", and guest-starred in an episode of the western series ''Sara'' in 1976. He played Mr. Kirby in the 1979 NBC television adaptation of '' You Can't Take it With You'' and the ineffective but well-meaning Colonel Fielding on the 1981 TV adaptation of '' Private Benjamin''. He also had roles in two movies in 1982, as school principal Walter J. Coolidge in ''Zapped!'' and Senator Charles Wingwood in ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas''. In 1982 he also played Henry's older brother Bill Rush in ''Too Close for Comfort.''

In 1984–85, he played James Bradford on ABC's ''Three's a Crowd'' opposite John Ritter, and in 1986 he was Peace Corps member Dr. Bruce Gaines, who married Mrs. Garrett (played by Charlotte Rae) in her final episodes on '' The Facts of Life''. He appeared as Steven in the 1990 episode of ''The Golden Girls'' entitled "Great Expectations". In 1991, he reunited with Katherine Helmond for two episodes of her next series, '' Who's the Boss?''.

In 1993, he played the Cardassian character Kotan Pa'Dar in the ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' episode "Cardassians", and had a role on '' Married... with Children'' in the episode "The D'Arcy Files" (1994). His return to serials included the roles of Maxwell Hammer, a friend of Minx, on '' Santa Barbara'' (1990), Mr. Jonesy (alongside Louise Sorel) on ''Days of Our Lives'' from 1997 to 1998, and guest-starring as a judge on ''General Hospital'' in early 2006.

He appeared onstage throughout his career. Aside from ''Applause'', he starred in the pre-Broadway version of the 1990s revival of ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'' as J.B. Biggley, he played Andrew Wyke in several touring company productions of the Anthony Shaffer mystery, ''Sleuth'', and he was in the 2002 production of ''A Twilight Romance'' at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, California.

Mandan was a frequent special guest on '' The $25,000 Pyramid'' during the 1980s. He also appeared on many other game shows, including ''Match Game'', ''Family Feud'', ''Super Password'', ''Chain Reaction'', and ''Hollywood Squares''.

Death

Mandan died in Los Angeles on April 29, 2018, following a long battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife, Sherry Dixon, a licensed primal psychotherapist; the couple wed in 1963. Upon his death, he was cremated.

Filmography

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandan, Robert
1932 births
2018 deaths
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors
American male musical theatre actors
American male soap opera actors
American male television actors
Male actors from Missouri
People from Christian County, Missouri