Richard Erdman

Biography

Richard Erdman (June 1, 1925 - March 16, 2019) was a prominent American actor and director whose illustrious career spanned an impressive seven decades. He gained widespread recognition for his memorable performances, particularly as Hoffy, the barracks chief, in the iconic film *Stalag 17* and as McNulty in the celebrated *Twilight Zone* episode titled "A Kind of a Stopwatch."

In the epic war film *Tora! Tora! Tora!*, Erdman portrayed Colonel Edward F. French, who faced the critical challenge of utilizing commercial telegraphy for transmitting alerts regarding the Pearl Harbor attack, rather than the more conventional military communication channels.

Erdman's television career was equally noteworthy. He played the role of Arthur Binney, a blackmailer, in the first season of *Perry Mason* during the episode "The Case of the Gilded Lily," which aired on May 24, 1958. In 1960, he co-starred with Tab Hunter in *The Tab Hunter Show*, a short-lived NBC series that competed with the likes of *The Ed Sullivan Show*. Known for his comedic talent, Erdman showcased his skills as a Broadway wardrobe man named Buck Brown on *The Dick Van Dyke Show* and later became a familiar face in the NBC series *Saints and Sinners*, where he appeared as Klugie, the photographer.

Throughout his career, Erdman left an indelible mark on both film and television, solidifying his legacy as a versatile performer.