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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
[edit]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
[edit]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]
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
[edit]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
[edit]Film
[edit]| 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
[edit]- ^ Bio
- ^ a b "'Chase' – Jack Webb's Newest Dramatic Series". Sunday News. Pennsylvania, Lancaster. September 30, 1973. p. 62. Retrieved May 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Medina, Eduardo (March 5, 2022). "Mitchell Ryan, Who Played the Villain in 'Lethal Weapon,' Dies at 88". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ Garfield, David (1980). "Appendix: Life Members of The Actors Studio as of January 1980". A Player's Place: The Story of The Actors Studio. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. p. 279. ISBN 0-02-542650-8.
- ^ "Mitchell Ryan". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Mitchell Ryan". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Lucille Lortel Foundation. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "MItchell Ryan – The Fall Of A Sparrow". www.mitchellryan.net. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "The Stars of Dark Shadows: Where Are They Now? Mitchell Ryan". www.darkshadowsonline.com. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ Barnabas & Company: The Cast of the TV Classic Dark Shadows, Craig Hamrick & R. J. Jamison: Ryan is quoted as saying "I was so drunk that year, I barely remember what it was about" in a 1976 TV Guide interview
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- ^ "Letters of Note: STAR TREK/Casting". Retrieved March 25, 2010.
- ^ "Screen Actors Guild Foundation Launches Storyline Online II". Screen Actors Guild. June 21, 2003. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ California Marriage Index 1960–1985; Ancestry.com
- ^ "Mitchell Ryan, Actor in 'Lethal Weapon' and 'Dharma & Greg,' Dies at 88". The Hollywood Reporter. March 5, 2022. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ "Mitchell Ryan (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 30, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
External links
[edit]- Mitchell Ryan at IMDb
- Mitchell Ryan at the Internet Broadway Database
- Mitchell Ryan at the Internet Off-Broadway Database (archived)
Mitchell Ryan
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Mitchell Ryan was born on January 11, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio.[2][6] Following his family's relocation, Ryan was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where he experienced a modest upbringing amid the lingering effects of the Great Depression.[2][7] 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.[2][6][7] Ryan's mother, Genevieve Mitchell Ryan, was a writer, though details about her life and career remain limited. He had a sister, Margaret (later Mrs. Margaret Cherry).[2][7][8]Education and military service
He graduated from Male High School in Louisville.[3] At age 17, Ryan enlisted in the United States Navy in 1951 and served during the Korean War.[9] 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.[10] His service ended after the armistice in 1953, providing foundational experiences that shaped his future career.[11] Following his discharge, Ryan pursued formal acting training as a life member of the Actors Studio in New York, where he honed his craft through intensive method acting techniques.[12]Career
Stage and early television work
After completing his service in the U.S. Navy, Mitchell Ryan relocated to New York City in the late 1950s to launch his acting career, immersing himself in the city's theater community during the early 1960s.[2] Ryan made his off-Broadway debut in a 1963 production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, marking his entry into professional stage work.[13] His Broadway debut followed in 1966, where he portrayed Mike Talman, a complex con artist, in Frederick Knott's thriller Wait Until Dark, opposite Lee Remick; the production ran for nearly a year and earned critical acclaim for its suspenseful staging.[14] A life member of the Actors Studio since the early 1960s, Ryan drew on its method acting principles to deepen his performances during this formative period.[12] 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 Dark Shadows 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.[15][1]Major television roles
Ryan's first starring role in television came as Captain Chase Reddick in the crime drama series Chase, which aired on NBC from 1973 to 1974. In the show, he portrayed the leader of an unconventional Los Angeles Police Department unit employing unorthodox methods to solve crimes.[16] During the 1970s, Ryan appeared in guest roles on popular series, including as Colonel Hopkins in an episode of The Rockford Files in 1975. His performance highlighted his ability to play authoritative military figures in investigative narratives.[17] In the 1980s, Ryan took on the role of Tillet Main, the patriarch of a Southern family, in the ABC miniseries North and South (1985), based on John Jakes' novel; he reprised the character in subsequent adaptations through 1994. The production showcased his dramatic range in historical epics depicting the American Civil War era.[18] A notable shift toward comedy occurred in the late 1990s when Ryan joined the cast of the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg (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 family patriarch opposite his more conservative wife.[15] 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.[5][1][19]Film roles
Mitchell Ryan's film career began with an uncredited role in the 1958 film Thunder Road. He transitioned from stage and early television work to credited supporting roles in cinema in the late 1960s, often leveraging his authoritative presence shaped by prior U.S. Navy service.[9] His early film appearances established him as a versatile character actor in Westerns and action genres during the 1970s.[12] Ryan's breakthrough in features came with the 1970 Western Monte Walsh, where he portrayed Shorty Austin, a loyal ranch hand alongside Lee Marvin's titular cowboy, contributing to the film's gritty depiction of fading frontier life. The following year, he appeared in The Hunting Party (1971) as Doc Harrison, a rugged outlaw in a violent tale of revenge starring Gene Hackman and Oliver Reed. 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 High Plains Drifter, he played a corrupt town enforcer in the supernatural revenge thriller, adding menace to the ensemble of antagonists.[20] That same year, in Magnum Force, the second installment of the Dirty Harry 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.[2] 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.[21][4] 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.[22]Personal life
Marriages and family
Ryan was first married to Lynda Morse from 1972 until their divorce in 1982.[23] The couple had two children together.[6] In 1998, Ryan married Barbara Albertine.[23] 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.[2][24] Ryan resided with his family in Los Angeles, California, during his later years.[2]Death
Mitchell Ryan died on March 4, 2022, at the age of 88 from congestive heart failure at his home in Los Angeles, California.[1][2] His stepdaughter, Denise Freed, announced the death to media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter.[2][1] Ryan was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, California.[23] Initial reactions came from co-stars and the entertainment industry, with Dark Shadows actress Kathryn Leigh Scott posting a heartfelt tribute on social media, describing Ryan as "a great gift in my life" and cherishing "his generous spirit, his humor and his loving heart."[12] Industry obituaries in outlets like Variety and The New York Times highlighted his six-decade career spanning stage, film, and television.[12][4]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Monte Walsh | Shorty Austin | William A. Graham[25] |
| 1971 | Chandler | Chuck | Paul Magwood[26] |
| 1971 | The Hunting Party | Frank | Don Medford[27] |
| 1971 | My Old Man's Place | Sgt. Peaches | Edwin Sherin[28] |
| 1973 | High Plains Drifter | Mayor Jason Tobin | Clint Eastwood[29] |
| 1973 | Magnum Force | Officer Charlie McCoy | Clint Eastwood[30] |
| 1976 | Midway | Rear Adm. Aubrey W. Fitch | Jack Smight[31] |
| 1976 | Two-Minute Warning | Capt. Peter Fuller | Larry Peerce[32] |
| 1978 | The Fifth Floor | Dr. Lock | Howard Avedis[33] |
| 1980 | The Nude Bomb | Agent 000 | Clive Donner[34] |
| 1982 | The Border | Grant | Tony Richardson[35] |
| 1983 | D.C. Cab | Harold | Joel Schumacher[36] |
| 1987 | Death Wish 4: The Crackdown | Nathan White | J. Lee Thompson[37] |
| 1987 | Lethal Weapon | General McAllister | Richard Donner[38] |
| 1987 | G.I. Joe: The Movie | Admiral (voice) | Don Jurwich[39] |
| 1989 | Winter People | Rob | Ted Kotcheff[40] |
| 1993 | Hot Shots! Part Deux | Admiral Benson | Jim Abrahams[41] |
| 1994 | Speechless | Lloyd Hunter | Ron Underwood[42] |
| 1995 | Judge Dredd | Judge Griffin | Danny Cannon[43] |
| 1995 | Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers | Dr. Terrence Wynn | Joe Chappelle[44] |
| 1996 | Raven Hawk | The General | Albert Pyun[45] |
| 1997 | The Devil's Own | Ed Simpson | Alan J. Pakula[46] |
| 1997 | Grosse Pointe Blank | Dr. William Squier | George Armitage[47] |
| 1997 | Liar Liar | Mr. Allan | Tom Shadyac[48] |
| 1998 | Major League: Back to the Minors | Gus Cantrell | John Warren[49] |
| 1999 | Blue Streak | Captain Howard | Les Mayfield[50] |
| 2005 | Love for Rent | Doctor (uncredited) | Dick Lowry[51] |
Television
Mitchell Ryan's television career encompassed a wide range of roles across soap operas, prime-time dramas, sitcoms, miniseries, and guest appearances on anthology and procedural series, spanning from the 1960s to the 2010s.[22] He began with significant work in daytime television 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.[19] 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.[22] 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.[22] 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.[18] Notable guest appearances included Colonel Hopkins, a military contact, in The Rockford Files (1975, 1 episode: "2 Into 5.56 Won't Go").[17] 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.[52][53] 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 Dharma & Greg (1997–2002, 119 episodes), a recurring role that showcased his dry wit and earned him widespread recognition.[9] He continued with guest spots in prestige dramas, such as Senator Roland Pierce in The West Wing (2002–2003, 2 episodes), and animated voice work as the wise Highfather in Justice League (2004–2005, 3 episodes).[54] He appeared in guest roles including hospital administrator Ben Wilder in Gideon's Crossing (2000, 1 episode).| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966–1967 | Dark Shadows | Burke Devlin | Recurring; 25 episodes; soap opera |
| 1973–1974 | Chase | Capt. Steve McNeill | Lead; 15 episodes; crime drama series |
| 1975 | The Rockford Files | Col. Hopkins | Guest; 1 episode |
| 1975–1976 | The Blue Knight | Det. Bumper Morgan | Lead; 25 episodes; police drama |
| 1976–1977 | Executive Suite | Matt Lindsey | Regular; 18 episodes; soap opera |
| 1978–1979 | Having Babies | Dr. David Farr | Regular; 13 episodes; medical drama |
| 1979–1980 | The Chisholms | Jeb Chisholm | Regular; 13 episodes; western drama |
| 1985 | North & South | Tillet Main | Miniseries; 6 episodes |
| 1985–1996 | Murder, She Wrote | Various (e.g., Ray Dixon, Sen. Brent Renwyck) | Recurring guest; at least 4 episodes |
| 1989–1993 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Kyle Riker | Recurring guest; 2 episodes |
| 1997–2002 | Dharma & Greg | Edward Montgomery | Recurring; 119 episodes; sitcom |
| 2000 | Gideon's Crossing | Ben Wilder | Guest; 1 episode; medical drama |
| 2002–2003 | The West Wing | Sen. Roland Pierce | Guest; 2 episodes |
| 2004–2005 | Justice League | Highfather (voice) | Recurring guest; 3 episodes; animated |