Hubbry Logo
Ramon BieriRamon BieriMain
Open search
Ramon Bieri
Community hub
Ramon Bieri
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ramon Bieri
Ramon Bieri
Ramon Bieri
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Ramon Arens Bieri (June 16, 1929 – May 27, 2001)[1] was an American film and television actor.

Key Information

Television work

[edit]

Bieri starred as the title character in the short-lived NBC sitcom Joe's World, from December 1979 to July 1980, playing Joe Wabash, a Detroit housepainter with a wife and five kids.[2]: 613–614  He co-starred on the short-lived 1981 TV series Bret Maverick with James Garner, as banker Elijah Crow.[2]: 154–155  Bieri appeared in many TV movies as well. In 1971–72, he played Lieutenant Barney Verick in the NBC drama Sarge.[3] Film roles included Badlands, The Sicilian, The Grasshopper, Grandview, U.S.A., Reds, and The Andromeda Strain.

Bieri made guest appearances in many TV shows, including Daniel Boone, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, Hawaii Five-O, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Rockford Files, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Partridge Family, Hogan's Heroes, Quincy, M.E., Mannix and Knight Rider. He was featured in recurring roles in Room 222 (as the vice principal) and St. Elsewhere. He appeared in The Final Chapter, the first episode of the 1977 NBC series Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected and an episode of the NBC series The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978).[4] His last role was in an episode of HBO's Arliss which aired in August 2001 which was a little over two months after his death.[citation needed]

Death

[edit]

Bieri died of cancer in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, on May 27, 2001, at age 71.[5]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Hogan's Heroes Steiner 1 episode
1968–1974 Gunsmoke Forbes / Jarvis / John Sontag / Doyle / Musgrove / Big Thicket 6 episodes
1969–1970 Room 222 Vice Principal Gil Casey 4 episodes
1969–1971 Mission: Impossible Colonel Rodriguez / Colonel Jaroslav Sardner 2 episodes
1970 The Grasshopper Roosevelt Dekker
R. P. M. Brown
Mannix Earl Waldon 1 episode
1971 The Andromeda Strain Major Manchek
Brother John Orly Ball
1971–1973 Bonanza Jonas Holt / Sheriff Solomon Budd 2 episode
1971–1972 Alias Smith and Jones Ted Thompson / Sheriff Moody
1972 The Honkers Jack Ferguson
1973 Badlands Cato
1973 Partridge Family Mr. Grisby
1974 The Conversation Man at Party Uncredited
The Rockford Files Sheriff Homer Prouty
It's Good to Be Alive Walter O'Malley Television film
1974–1975 Kolchak: The Night Stalker Captain Joe Baker / Captain Webster 2 episodes
1974–1976 Cannon Lt. Lancaster / Captain Stiles 3 episodes
1976 Crazed Malcolm
Bronk O' Flanagan 1 episode
Jigsaw John Gus Constantine 1 episode
1977 The Rhinemann Exchange Daniel Meehan 1 episode
Sorcerer Corlette
1978 Wheels Ernie Johnson TV
Quincy, M.E. Ben Mular 1 episode
TV mini-series: "How the West was Won" guest appearances as General Sheridan
True Grit: A Further Adventure Sheriff Ambrose TV movie
The Eddie Capra Mysteries Barney Kirk 1 episode
1979 The Frisco Kid Mr. Jones
1979–1980 Joe's World Joe Wabash (titular character) 11 episodes
1980 A Christmas Without Snow Henry Quist TV movie
1981 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Commissioner Bergstrom 1 episode
Reds Police Chief
1982 The Fall Guy Mayor John P. Littlefield 2 episodes
1983 Matt Houston Insp. Cory McFadden 1 episode
1984 The Dukes of Hazzard J.J. Carver 2 episodes
Grandview, U.S.A. Roger Pearson
1982–1985 Knight Rider Al Farland / 'Acid' John Byrock 2 episodes
1985 The Zoo Gang Pa Donnely
Highway to Heaven Sheriff Harm 1 episode
Hunter Charlie Coster 1 episode
1985-1987 St. Elsewhere Gene Galecki 4 episodes
1986 The Richest Cat in the World Oscar Kohlmeyer 1 episode
Crazy Like a Fox Fontana 1 episode
Blacke's Magic Victor Kroeger/Capt. Luis Gondolpho 1 episode
1987 The Sicilian Quintana
1988 Vibes Eli Diamond
1991 Love, Lies and Murder Howard 2 episodes
1994 Children of the Dark T. Hardy Fallbrook TV movie
1996 Ghosts of Mississippi James Holley

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ramon Bieri

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ramon Arens Bieri (June 16, 1929 – May 27, 2001) was an American character actor renowned for his portrayals of gruff, authoritative figures in film and television, including irate policemen, corrupt officials, and tough westerners. Born in , to Gladys Arens Shea and William Parker Bieri, he served as a decorated veteran in the before embarking on a multifaceted acting career that encompassed stage, screen, and television over more than four decades. A founding member of the in , Bieri honed his craft in prominent stage productions, such as Shakespeare in the Park, the Akron Shakespeare Festival, and the . Bieri's television work, which included over 100 roles from the early 1960s onward, featured recurring appearances as the vice principal in Room 222 (1969–1974), Lt. Barney Verick in Sarge (1971–1972), Elijah Crow in Bret Maverick (1981–1982), and the title role in the short-lived sitcom Joe's World (1979), alongside guest spots in series like Gunsmoke (1968) and St. Elsewhere (1982–1988). In film, he delivered memorable supporting performances as Major Arthur Manchek in The Andromeda Strain (1971), Cato in Badlands (1973), Corlette in Sorcerer (1977), and the Police Chief in Reds (1981), contributing to his reputation as a versatile and imposing presence in American entertainment. Bieri, an avid fisherman, sailor, and woodworker, passed away from cancer in Woodland Hills, California, at age 71.

Early life

Birth and family

Ramon Bieri was born Ramon Arens Bieri on June 16, 1929, in . He was the son of Gladys Katrina Arens (later known as Gladys Arens Shea) and William Parker Bieri. His mother, originally from , had immigrated roots through her parents, Anton Arens from and Augusta from . Bieri had a half-brother, Arens Shea, from his mother's subsequent marriage to Edward James Shea, as well as a sister, S. Hale. The recorded the ten-year-old Bieri, listed as Raymond Birie, residing in , in the household of his maternal grandparents, Anton and Augusta Arens, alongside his mother Gladys Shea and stepfather Edward Shea. Bieri spent his childhood in amid the economic hardships of the and the upheavals of , with scant public records available on his early education.

Military service and entry into acting

Bieri served in the United States Army during the in the early , earning decorations for his service, though specific details about his roles or awards remain undocumented in public records. Following his discharge, Bieri transitioned from military life to the , marking a pivotal shift in his career path. His entry into began with his debut stage appearance in , which initiated a professional trajectory centered on theater. This early foray launched Bieri's theatrical endeavors, including featured roles in productions and regional theater, laying the groundwork for his subsequent prominence in the field before broader recognition.

Career

Stage career

Ramon Bieri began his stage career in 1954 following his service in the , initially appearing in and regional theater productions that allowed him to build experience during the 1950s and 1960s. He was a founding member of the in , where he performed in productions during the 1960s. He performed in various ensembles, including New York's Shakespeare in the Park series, where he took on roles such as Polixenes in a 1963 production of at the , as well as appearances at Ohio's Akron Shakespeare Festival and San Diego's . Bieri's Broadway debut came in 1964 with the short-lived play The Passion of Josef D., where he appeared in an ensemble role under the direction of George Schaefer. The following year, he earned recognition off-Broadway for portraying Marco in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge at the Sheridan Square Playhouse, a production that also featured and and was later recorded as a Caedmon audio release. One of Bieri's most notable stage roles was as Uncle Ben in the 1975 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman at the Circle in the Square Theatre, directed by Arthur Miller himself and starring George C. Scott as Willy Loman; the production ran for 71 performances and highlighted Bieri's skill in dramatic, authoritative character parts. Throughout the 1970s, he continued to take on supporting roles in both on- and off-Broadway shows, often leveraging his gruff, commanding presence to portray tough, no-nonsense figures, though his theater work became less prominent as his screen career grew.

Television career

Bieri began his television career in the early 1960s, debuting with guest roles on Western series such as , where he appeared in six episodes between 1968 and 1974, portraying characters like the vengeful Musgrove and the Jarvis. These early appearances established his on-screen presence as a rugged, authoritative figure, often in or antagonistic roles. Throughout the and , Bieri secured several recurring and lead roles that showcased his versatility in dramatic and comedic formats. He played Barney Verick, a tough police contact, in the NBC crime drama Sarge from 1971 to 1972, supporting lead George Kennedy's priest-turned-detective. In the ABC Room 222, he portrayed Vice Principal Gil Casey in four episodes during the 1969–1970 season, contributing to the show's exploration of high school dynamics. Later, he appeared as Gene Galecki in multiple episodes of the medical drama St. Elsewhere in the mid-, embodying a gruff patient or member amid the series' ensemble narratives. Bieri took on lead roles as well, starring as the working-class housepainter Joe Wabash in the short-lived NBC Joe's World (1979–1980), which depicted life in , and as the local banker Elijah Crow in the Western comedy (1981), a revival featuring . Bieri amassed over 100 television guest appearances across four decades, frequently cast as irate cops, corrupt officials, or Western toughs in popular series. Notable examples include roles in The Rockford Files as a shady informant in the 1970s and Hawaii Five-O as a commanding officer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His final role was as Jake in the HBO series Arli$$, with the episode "Giving Something Back" airing posthumously in August 2001, shortly after his death in May. In addition to series work, Bieri featured in numerous made-for-television movies from the through the , often as authoritative or antagonistic figures in dramatic productions. Highlights include his portrayal of Judge John J. Sirica in (1989), a about the , and a supporting role in the biographical TV film Children of the Dark (1994), based on a true story of family resilience. These credits underscored his reliability in portraying complex, no-nonsense characters in telefilms addressing social and historical themes.

Film career

Ramon Bieri made his film debut in 1970 as Roosevelt Dekker in the drama The Grasshopper, marking his entry into cinema after establishing a foundation in stage acting. His early screen roles often cast him as authoritative or antagonistic figures, beginning with the supporting part of Major Manchek in Robert Wise's science fiction thriller (1971), where he portrayed a military officer overseeing a crisis response to an extraterrestrial . This appearance showcased Bieri's ability to convey stern professionalism in high-stakes ensemble narratives. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bieri appeared in several notable feature films, typically in supporting roles that highlighted his imposing presence as tough, no-nonsense characters. In Terrence Malick's (1973), he played Cato, a pursuing lawman in the crime drama inspired by real events, adding grit to the film's atmospheric tension alongside leads and . Other key credits include the bandit Mr. Jones in the Western comedy (1979), opposite and ; the police chief in Warren Beatty's historical epic Reds (1981); the gangster in Michael Cimino's (1987); and the reverend Eli Diamond in the supernatural adventure Vibes (1988), where he supported and . These roles emphasized his versatility in genres from drama to comedy, often as corrupt officials, law enforcers, or hardened criminals. Bieri's film career spanned approximately 25 roles from 1970 to the late 1990s, though he was less prolific in cinema compared to television, with most appearances as character actors in ensemble casts rather than leads. His contributions were critically noted for bringing authenticity to portrayals of gruff authority figures, such as in William Friedkin's Sorcerer (1977) as the driver Corlette, enhancing the film's intense survival thriller elements. This niche solidified his reputation as a reliable supporting player in Hollywood productions during the era.

Personal life and legacy

Family and relationships

Bieri was married twice. His first marriage was to Dorothy Whitney on July 7, 1965; they had one together and divorced in November 1967. He wed Charlene Polite on March 8, 1970, and the marriage ended in on December 24, 1979. Details on additional romantic partners remain sparse in . At the time of his death, Bieri was not reported to be in a long-term companionship. Bieri had two children. His daughter, Kathryn M. Pate, resided in Margate, Florida. His son, Ramon Whitney Bieri, lived in , , with his wife, Nancy Bieri.

Hobbies and later years

In his later years, Ramon Bieri pursued a variety of hands-on hobbies that reflected an outdoorsy and practical personality, distinct from the gruff characters he often portrayed on screen. He was an avid , woodworker, , and poker player, activities that provided outlets for relaxation and creativity amid his schedule. Bieri continued working steadily into the 1990s, taking on guest roles in television series such as Murder, She Wrote (1990) as fish market proprietor Nick Zavakis and In the Heat of the Night (1993) as rancher Cal Sims, alongside a prominent stage performance as the tough Captain in Mr. Roberts at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre in 1995. These engagements allowed him to maintain a presence in the industry while prioritizing personal time. Based in Northridge, , during his final decades, Bieri enjoyed proximity to ' entertainment hubs, facilitating a balanced that integrated his professional pursuits with hobbies like and .

Death

Ramon Bieri died on May 27, 2001, at the age of 71 from cancer at the Hospital in Woodland Hills, , . A private celebration of his life took place on June 9, 2001, at his home on Acre Street in Northridge, , where and friends gathered in his ; in lieu of flowers, donations were suggested to or the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Bieri was cremated following his death, with his ashes given to members, and no public burial was reported. His final on-screen role came posthumously in the series Arli$$, appearing as Jake in the episode "Giving Something Back," which aired on August 5, 2001—over two months after his passing—and marked the conclusion of his 49-year acting career.
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.