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Mitchell Ryan
Mitchell Ryan
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Mitchell Ryan (January 11, 1934[1] – March 4, 2022) was an American actor. With six decades of television credits, he is best known for playing Burke Devlin in the 1960s gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, and later for his co-starring role as Greg Montgomery (Thomas Gibson)'s father Edward Montgomery on Dharma & Greg. He also played the villainous General Peter McAllister in the 1987 buddy cop action film Lethal Weapon.

Key Information

Early life

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Mitchell Ryan was born on January 11, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky.[2] His father was a salesman and his mother was a writer.[3] He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.[2]

Career

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A life member of the Actors Studio,[4] Ryan's Broadway theatre credits include Wait Until Dark, Medea, and The Price.[5] His off-Broadway credits include Antony and Cleopatra (1963) and The Price (1979).[6]

Ryan was an original cast member of the cult TV soap opera Dark Shadows, playing Burke Devlin until he was dismissed from the show in June 1967 due to his alcoholism,[7][8][9] and replaced by Anthony George.

In 1970, Ryan was in one episode of The High Chaparral as a character named Jelks, who was on the run from the law.

He appeared in an episode of Cannon, "Fool's Gold" in 1971, and in ABC's The Streets of San Francisco episode "The Unicorn". He portrayed the title character, Chase Reddick, on the crime drama Chase (1973–74).[10]

Mitchell Ryan in Chase

In 1975, Ryan played in Barnaby Jones, in the episode titled "Counterfall". He portrayed the leading character, Dan Walling, on Executive Suite (1976–77)[10]: 316  and played Blake Simmons in the drama Julie Farr, M.D. (1978–79) which paired him with lead actress Susan Sullivan, whom he reunited with to star together again in Dharma & Greg.[10]: 549 

Ryan portrayed Cooper Hawkins on the Western series The Chisholms (1980),[10]: 185–186  Sam Garrett on King's Crossing (1982)[10]: 567  Brennan Flannery on High Performance (1983),[10]: 459  Edward Wyler on Hot Pursuit (1984),[10]: 478  and Porter Tremont on 2000 Malibu Road (1992).[10]: 1122–1123 

Ryan's other acting credits include the films Liar Liar; Magnum Force, playing as "Dirty Harry" Callahan (Clint Eastwood)'s ill-fated despondent best friend and fellow police officer, a motorcycle patrolman named Charlie McCoy; Lethal Weapon, playing the key villain General Peter McAllister; Grosse Pointe Blank; Electra Glide in Blue; and Hot Shots! Part Deux, playing Senator Grey Edwards. In 1985, he portrayed Tillet Main, the patriarch of the Main family in the first North and South miniseries. In 1991, he played Ellis Blake in the sixth season Matlock episode "The Foursome".

Ryan appeared in NBC's The A-Team; he played Ike Hagan, as Grant Everett in a two-part Silk Stalkings episode; and as Kyle Riker, the father of Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes), in the Star Trek: The Next Generation second season episode "The Icarus Factor"; Ryan had been considered for the part of series lead Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart).[11] He also portrayed the roles of the abusive boyfriend of Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), Rex Huntington, in The Golden Girls season 6 episode "The Bloom is off the Rose", and Jack Hanlan, a police officer in "Emission Accomplished", a 1993 season 1 episode of NYPD Blue. The same year, Ryan played Dallas Shields in Renegade. He appeared in the 1983 episode of Hart to Hart "Highland Fling". In 1994, he appeared again in Hart to Hart in one of the made-for-TV movies, Home Is Where the Hart Is. In 1995, he appeared in the films Judge Dredd and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers as Dr. Terence Wynn (played by Robert Phalen in the original Halloween film).

Ryan played the role of Greg Montgomery (Thomas Gibson)'s father, Edward Montgomery, on the comedy Dharma & Greg (1997–2002).[10]: 256  The following year, Ryan voiced Highfather on Justice League.

Ryan was the president of Screen Actors Guild Foundation.[12]

Personal life

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Ryan married Lynda Morse in 1972, and they had a son.[13] Ryan and Morse divorced in 1982, and Ryan married Barbara Albertine in 1998. They had two children and five grandchildren.

Ryan died of heart failure at his home in Los Angeles, California, on March 4, 2022, at the age of 88.[14]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1958 Thunder Road Jed Moultrie Uncredited
1970 Monte Walsh Shorty Austin
1971 My Old Man's Place Martin Flood
The Hunting Party Doc Harrison
Chandler Chuck Kincaid
1972 The Honkers Lowell
A Reflection of Fear Inspector McKenna
1973 High Plains Drifter Dave Drake
The Friends of Eddie Coyle Waters
Electra Glide in Blue Harvey Poole
Magnum Force Charlie McCoy
1976 Midway Aubrey Fitch Uncredited
Two-Minute Warning Priest
1987 Lethal Weapon General Peter McCallister
1989 Winter People Drury Campbell
1992 Aces: Iron Eagle III General Simms
The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them Kenneth Davenport
1993 Hot Shots! Part Deux Gray Edwards
1994 Blue Sky Ray Stevens
Speechless Lloyd Wannamaker
1995 Judge Dredd Vartis Hammond
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Dr. Terrence Wynn
1996 Ed Abe Woods
1997 The Devil's Own Jim Kelly
Liar Liar Mr. Allan
Grosse Pointe Blank Bart Newberry
2005 Love for Rent Doctor Uncredited

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1959 Brenner Detective Mack Episode: "Record of Arrest"
1961 'Way Out Bill Fontaine Episode: "Soft Focus"
1961–1963 Naked City Various 5 episodes
1961–1965 The Defenders Harry Cook/Jack Bostick 2 episodes
1966–1967 Dark Shadows Burke Devlin 107 episodes
1967 Coronet Blue Oscar Davis Episode: "Faces"
1967–1969 N.Y.P.D. Joseph Robert Maloney/Mr. Whitaker 2 episodes
1970 The High Chaparral Jelks Episode: "Jelks"
1971 O'Hara, U.S. Treasury Brad Fletcher Episode: "Operation: Pay Off"
1971–1975 Cannon Alexander Roper/John Flatow/Ed Farrell 3 episodes
1973 The Fuzz Brothers Ben Television film
The Streets of San Francisco Abel Hoffman Episode: "The Unicorn"
1973–1974 Chase Captain Chase Reddick 23 episodes
1974 The Manhunter Tom Bailey Episode: "The Man Who Thought He Was Dillinger"
Kodiak Prisoner Episode: "Thunder Mountain"
1975 Barnaby Jones Dennis Kelly Episode: "Counterfall"
The Rockford Files Colonel Hopkins Episode: "2 Into 5.56 Won't Go"
The Entertainer Mr. Pasko Television film
Baretta Bax Baxter Episode: "Nobody in a Nothing Place"
1976 The Blue Knight Peter Stryker Episode: "Cop Killer"
The Hemingway Play Ernest Hemingway Television film
1976–1977 Executive Suite Dan Walling 18 episodes
1977 Most Wanted Keith Garner Episode: "The Spellbinder"
Escape from Bogen County Ambler Bowman Television film
Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion Jethro Lundy Television film
Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. Matthew Sullivan Television film
1978 Having Babies III Dr. Blake Simmons Television film
Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Applegate Television film
Family Mike Dunston Episode: "Expectations"
1978–1979 Julie Farr, M.D. Dr. Blake Simmons 8 episodes
1979 Flesh & Blood Jack Fallon Television film
1980 The Chisholms Cooper Hawkins 9 episodes
Angel City Silas Creedy Television film
1981 The Choice Jerry Clements Television film
The Monkey Mission Keyes Television film
The Five of Me Dr. Ralph B. Allison Television film
Death of a Centerfold Hugh Hefner Television film
Of Mice and Men Slim Television film
1982 King's Crossing Sean Garrett Episode: "Long Ago Tomorrow"
1983 Uncommon Valor Chief Tom Riordan Television film
High Performance Brennan Flannery 2 episodes
Medea Jason Television film
The Gambler: The Adventure Continues Charlie McCourt Television film
Hart to Hart Ramsey MacLeish Episode: "Highland Fling"
1984 Hardcastle and McCormick Sheriff Stretch Carter 2 episodes
1985 Hotel Steve Cutler Episode: "Lifelines"
Dallas Captain Merwin Fogarty 3 episodes
Hot Pursuit Mr. Wyler 2 episodes
Fatal Vision Paul Strombaugh Episode: "1.2"
Robert Kennedy and His Times Robert McNamara Episode: "1.1"
Riptide Colonel John Litvak Episode: "Boz Busters"
The A-Team Ike Hagen Episode: "Waste 'Em!"
North and South Tillet Main 6 episodes
Hostage Flight Captain Malone Television film
Hell Town Howard Bane Episode: "My Girlfriend, Annie"
Northstar Colonel Even Marshall Television film
1985–1995 Murder, She Wrote Various 4 episodes
1986 All My Children Alex Hunter Episode: "1.4186"
Penalty Phase Donald Faulkner Television film
1987 St. Elsewhere George Deaton Episode: "Rites of Passage"
1988 The English Programme Slim 5 episodes
Favorite Son Vice President Dan Eastman Episode: "Part One"
1989 The Ryan White Story Tom Television film
Star Trek: The Next Generation Kyle Riker Episode: "The Icarus Factor"
Double Exposure: The Story of Margaret Bourke-White General George S. Patton Television film
Mission: Impossible Edgar Sheppard Episode: "Submarine"
Santa Barbara Anthony Tonell 36 episodes
Hardball Captain Jake Griffin Episode: "The Fighting 52nd"
1989–1990 Jake and the Fatman Lieutenant Dan Gorecki/Ethan Mitchell 2 episodes
1990 Who's the Boss? Jack Episode: "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?"
Judgment Dave Davis Television film
L.A. Law Duncan Young Episode: "Smoke Gets In Your Thighs"
1991 The Golden Girls Rex Huntington Episode: "The Bloom is Off the Rose"
Hunter Tom Reed Episode: "Shadows of the Past"
Deadly Game Admiral Mark Nately Television film
In a Child's Name Peter Chappell 2 episodes
Matlock Ellis Blake Episode: "The Foursome"
1992 Civil Wars Judge Kosarin Episode: "Denise and De Nuptials"
Mann & Machine Bennet Tyler Episode: "Water, Water ,Everywhere"
The Young Riders Marshall Luke Murphy Episode: "Lessons Learned"
Dirty Work Frank Esposito Television film
2000 Malibu Road Porter Tremont 4 episodes
Majority Rule John Wade Television film
1993 Reasonable Doubts Hugh Mandrake Episode: "Wish You Were Here"
Star Harrison Barclay Television film
NYPD Blue Jack Hanlan Episode: "Emission Accomplished"
General Hospital Frank Smith 2 episodes
1993–1994 Renegade Dallas Bronson/Ted Shields 4 episodes
1994 Hart to Hart: Home is Where the Hart Is Chief Carson Television film
Walker, Texas Ranger Judge Riley Episode: "The Committee"
One West Waikiki Cosmetic Surgeon Episode: "'Til Death Do Us Part"
1995 Gramps Oliver Television film
The Single Guy Mr. Brimley 2 episodes
Silk Stalkings Grant Everett 2 episodes
1996 A Face to Die For Joe Thomas Television film
Raven Hawk White Television film
Champs Mr. Shuester Episode: "We'll Never Have Paris"
Wings Jonathan Clayton 3 episodes
1997 Dark Skies William Paley Episode: "To Prey in Darkness"
Spy Game Morganthal Episode: "What, Micah Worry?"
The Practice Judge George Nelson Episode: "The Civil Right"
1997–2002 Dharma & Greg Edward Montgomery 119 episodes
1998 Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story W. Averell Harriman Television film
1999 Aftershock: Earthquake in New York Frank Agostini 2 episodes
2003 Justice League Highfather (voice) Episode: "Twilight"[15]
2004 The West Wing Senator Roland Pierce Episode: "The Supremes"
The Drew Carey Show Woody Episode: "Drew Hunts Silver Fox"
2021 Smartphone Theatre Harry Episode: "What Friends Do (#Expendables)"

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Mitchell Ryan (January 11, 1934 – March 4, 2022) was an American actor renowned for his versatile character roles in television and film across a career spanning over six decades. Born in , , and raised in , Ryan began his acting career with an uncredited role in the 1958 film Thunder Road, marking the start of a prolific journey in entertainment. He gained early prominence for portraying Burke Devlin, a brooding tycoon, in the gothic Dark Shadows from 1966 to 1967, which helped establish his reputation for intense, authoritative characters. Ryan's film work included memorable villainous turns, such as the corrupt retired general Peter McAllister in the 1987 action thriller Lethal Weapon, directed by Richard Donner, and supporting roles in Clint Eastwood Westerns like High Plains Drifter (1973) and Magnum Force (1973). In television, he appeared in guest spots on series including Star Trek: The Next Generation as Kyle Riker and had recurring roles on daytime dramas like Santa Barbara. His later career featured a prominent role as the gruff patriarch Edward Montgomery in the sitcom Dharma & Greg from 1997 to 2002, showcasing his comedic timing alongside dramatic prowess. Ryan died of congestive heart failure at his home in Los Angeles on March 4, 2022, at the age of 88, as confirmed by his stepdaughter Denise Freed. Throughout his life, he maintained a low-profile personal existence, having been married twice and fathering two children from his first marriage.

Early life

Family background

Mitchell Ryan was born on January 11, 1934, in , . Following his family's relocation, Ryan was raised in , where he experienced a modest upbringing amid the lingering effects of the . His father, Charles Connor Ryan, worked as a novelty salesman, a profession that exposed the young Ryan to elements of salesmanship and performance from an early age. Ryan's mother, Mitchell Ryan, was a , though details about her life and career remain limited. He had a sister, (later Mrs. Margaret Cherry).

Education and military service

He graduated from Male High School in Louisville. At age 17, Ryan enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War. Assigned to the Special Services Entertainment branch, he performed in shows for troops, taking on non-combat roles that instilled discipline and ignited his passion for acting. His service ended after the armistice in 1953, providing foundational experiences that shaped his future career. Following his discharge, Ryan pursued formal acting training as a life member of Studio in New York, where he honed his craft through intensive techniques.

Career

Stage and early television work

After completing his service in the U.S. Navy, Mitchell Ryan relocated to in the late to launch his acting career, immersing himself in the city's theater community during the early 1960s. Ryan made his off-Broadway debut in a 1963 production of Shakespeare's at the Delacorte Theatre in , marking his entry into professional stage work. His Broadway debut followed in 1966, where he portrayed Mike Talman, a complex con artist, in Frederick Knott's thriller , opposite ; the production ran for nearly a year and earned critical acclaim for its suspenseful staging. A life member of the Actors Studio since the early , Ryan drew on its principles to deepen his performances during this formative period. Transitioning to television, Ryan appeared in episodic roles on 1960s soap operas and dramas, which paved the way for his breakthrough as the brooding, ambitious Burke Devlin on the gothic serial from 1966 to 1967; the character's central rivalry with the Collins family propelled the show's early popularity and elevated Ryan's profile as a compelling screen presence.

Major television roles

Ryan's first starring role in television came as Captain Chase Reddick in the crime drama series Chase, which aired on from 1973 to 1974. In the show, he portrayed the leader of an unconventional unit employing unorthodox methods to solve crimes. During the , Ryan appeared in guest roles on popular series, including as Hopkins in an episode of in 1975. His performance highlighted his ability to play authoritative military figures in investigative narratives. In the , Ryan took on the role of Tillet Main, the patriarch of a Southern , in the ABC miniseries North and South (1985), based on ' novel; he reprised the character in subsequent adaptations through 1994. The production showcased his dramatic range in historical epics depicting the era. A notable shift toward occurred in the late 1990s when Ryan joined the cast of the ABC sitcom (1997–2002) as Edward Montgomery, the eccentric father of the protagonist Greg. Appearing in over 100 episodes, the role emphasized Ryan's versatility in portraying a detached yet endearing patriarch opposite his more conservative wife. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ryan demonstrated his adaptability across genres with guest appearances in dramatic series such as Murder, She Wrote (multiple episodes, 1985–1995), where he played various authority figures like Captain Ernest Lenko and Senator Brent Renwyck; Santa Barbara (1989), as the ruthless businessman Anthony Tonell; and The Practice (1997), as Judge George Nelson. These roles underscored his enduring presence in both mystery and legal dramas.

Film roles

Mitchell Ryan's film career began with an uncredited role in the 1958 film Thunder Road. He transitioned from and early television work to credited supporting roles in cinema in the late , often leveraging his authoritative presence shaped by prior U.S. service. His early film appearances established him as a versatile in Westerns and action genres during the . Ryan's breakthrough in features came with the 1970 Western Monte Walsh, where he portrayed Shorty Austin, a loyal hand alongside Lee Marvin's titular , contributing to the film's gritty depiction of fading frontier life. The following year, he appeared in The Hunting Party () as Doc Harrison, a rugged in a violent tale of starring and . These roles highlighted his ability to embody tough, no-nonsense figures in the revisionist Westerns of the era. In 1973, Ryan delivered memorable supporting performances in two Clint Eastwood-directed films. As Dave Drake in , he played a corrupt town enforcer in the supernatural revenge thriller, adding menace to the ensemble of antagonists. That same year, in , the second installment of the series, Ryan portrayed Officer Charlie McCoy, Harry Callahan's (Eastwood) troubled former partner grappling with personal demons amid vigilante killings. His portrayal underscored the film's exploration of moral ambiguity in law enforcement. Ryan's film career peaked in the action genre with his turn as the antagonist General Peter McAllister in Lethal Weapon (1987), a retired military officer orchestrating a heroin smuggling operation opposite Mel Gibson and Danny Glover; the role showcased his commanding screen presence and fit within high-stakes buddy-cop dynamics. Later, he appeared in The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them (1993) as Kenneth Davenport, a father navigating comedic family tensions in the ensemble romantic comedy. Over his six-decade career, Ryan amassed over 30 film credits, cementing his status as a reliable supporting player in both dramatic and genre fare.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Ryan was first married to Lynda Morse from 1972 until their divorce in 1982. The couple had two children together. In 1998, Ryan married Barbara Albertine. He was survived by his second wife, stepdaughter Denise Freed from Albertine's previous relationship, and five grandchildren named Ashley, Jacqueline, Olivia, Kaila, and Noah. Ryan resided with his family in , , during his later years.

Death

Mitchell Ryan died on March 4, 2022, at the age of 88 from congestive heart failure at his home in , . His stepdaughter, Denise Freed, announced the death to media outlets including . Ryan was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in . Initial reactions came from co-stars and the entertainment industry, with Dark Shadows actress posting a heartfelt tribute on , describing Ryan as "a great gift in my life" and cherishing "his generous spirit, his humor and his loving heart." Industry obituaries in outlets like Variety and The New York Times highlighted his six-decade career spanning stage, film, and television.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleDirector
1970Monte WalshShorty AustinWilliam A. Graham
1971ChandlerChuckPaul Magwood
1971The Hunting PartyFrankDon Medford
1971My Old Man's PlaceSgt. Peaches
1973Mayor Jason Tobin
1973Officer Charlie McCoy
1976MidwayRear Adm. Aubrey W. Fitch
1976Capt. Peter Fuller
1978Dr. LockHoward Avedis
1980Agent 000
1982The BorderGrant
1983Harold
1987Death Wish 4: The CrackdownNathan White
1987General McAllister
1987Admiral (voice)Don Jurwich
1989Rob
1993Admiral Benson
1994SpeechlessLloyd Hunter
1995Judge Griffin
1995Halloween: The Curse of Michael MyersDr. Terrence Wynn
1996Raven HawkThe General
1997Ed Simpson
1997Dr. William Squier
1997Mr. Allan
1998Major League: Back to the MinorsGus CantrellJohn Warren
1999Blue StreakCaptain Howard
2005Love for RentDoctor (uncredited)Dick Lowry
This table lists Mitchell Ryan's feature film appearances in chronological order, compiled from his profile.

Television

Mitchell Ryan's television career encompassed a wide range of roles across soap operas, prime-time dramas, sitcoms, , and guest appearances on anthology and procedural series, spanning from the 1960s to the 2010s. He began with significant work in before transitioning to leading and supporting parts in short-lived network series and high-profile miniseries productions. His breakthrough in television came with the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows (1966–1967), where he originated the role of the brooding Burke Devlin in 25 episodes, establishing him as a charismatic presence in the genre. In the 1970s, Ryan starred as the determined police captain Steve McNeill in the action-drama Chase (1973–1974, 15 episodes), a role that highlighted his authoritative screen persona. He followed with leading turns in several short-lived series, including The Blue Knight (1975–1976) as Detective Bumper Morgan, Executive Suite (1976–1977) as business executive Matt Lindsey, Having Babies (1978–1979) as obstetrician Dr. David Farr, and The Chisholms (1979–1980) as family patriarch Jeb Chisholm. Ryan's versatility extended to miniseries and guest roles in the 1980s and 1990s. He portrayed the stern Southern industrialist Tillet Main in the historical epic North & South (1985, 6 episodes), contributing to the production's portrayal of Civil War-era tensions. Notable guest appearances included Colonel Hopkins, a military contact, in The Rockford Files (1975, 1 episode: "2 Into 5.56 Won't Go"). He made multiple appearances on Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996), playing characters such as aide Ray Dixon in "Capitol Offense" (1985), Senator Brent Renwyck in "Big Easy Murder" (1995), and others across at least four episodes, often as authoritative figures entangled in intrigue. In science fiction, he guest-starred as the estranged father Kyle Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989–1993, 2 episodes: "The Icarus Factor" and "Second Chances"). Later in his career, Ryan embraced comedic supporting roles, most prominently as the gruff but lovable Edward Montgomery, father to the leads, in the sitcom (1997–2002, 119 episodes), a recurring role that showcased his dry wit and earned him widespread recognition. He continued with guest spots in prestige dramas, such as Senator Roland Pierce in (2002–2003, 2 episodes), and animated voice work as the wise Highfather in (2004–2005, 3 episodes). He appeared in guest roles including hospital administrator Ben Wilder in (2000, 1 episode).
Year(s)TitleRoleNotes
1966–1967Burke DevlinRecurring; 25 episodes;
1973–1974ChaseCapt. Steve McNeillLead; 15 episodes; crime drama series
1975Col. HopkinsGuest; 1 episode
1975–1976The Blue KnightDet. Bumper MorganLead; 25 episodes; police drama
1976–1977Matt LindseyRegular; 18 episodes;
1978–1979Having BabiesDr. David FarrRegular; 13 episodes;
1979–1980Jeb ChisholmRegular; 13 episodes; western drama
1985North & SouthTillet MainMiniseries; 6 episodes
1985–1996Various (e.g., Ray Dixon, Sen. Brent Renwyck)Recurring guest; at least 4 episodes
1989–1993Star Trek: The Next GenerationKyle RikerRecurring guest; 2 episodes
1997–2002Edward MontgomeryRecurring; 119 episodes; sitcom
2000Ben WilderGuest; 1 episode;
2002–2003Sen. Roland PierceGuest; 2 episodes
2004–2005Highfather (voice)Recurring guest; 3 episodes; animated

References

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