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Richard Deacon

Richard Deacon

Actor · Died August 8, 1984, aged 62 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Richard Lewis Deacon (May 14, 1922 – August 8, 1984) was an American actor, best known for playing supporting roles in television shows on The Dick Van Dyke Show (as milksop producer Mel Cooley) and Leave It to Beaver (as Lumpy's self-aggrandizing father Fred Rutherford). He also had minor roles in films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 14, 1922
Died
August 8, 1984 (aged 62)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
77 on MovieCove · 137 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are Richard Deacon's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
35%
Morality
16%
Self
16%
Society
15%
Power
10%
Ideas
4%
Survival
4%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 5 · Wry 2 · Earnest 10

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 16 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 12

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
14
Absurd
10
Warm
9
Tense
4
Thrilling
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet1
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Richard Deacon's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 77 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Richard Deacon's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

137 credits, 77 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as City Councilman

  • Bad Manners(1984)

    as Ticket Salesman

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Awakening of Cassie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • No Man's Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Panda (voice)

  • The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood(1980)

    as Joseph Rottman

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Murder Can Hurt You!(1980)

    as Mr. Burnice

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Gossip Columnist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Director

  • Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty(1980)

    as King of Cey What

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Trapper John, M.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Piranha(1978)

    as Earl Lyon

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Getting Married(1978)

    as Wedding Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Rabbit Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as First Newscaster

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Yates

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Singleton

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • What's Happening!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bradford

  • The Man from Clover Grove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Charlie Strange

  • The Lost Saucer(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Honeymoon Suite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Luther Dorfman

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Man with Mallet (segment "How to Cure the Common Vampire")

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Boyd Daniels · as Charles Furman · as Charlie

  • Arsenic and Old Lace(1969)

    as Mr. Witherspoon

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Lady in Cement(1968)

    as Arnie Sherwin

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Here's Lucy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Harvey Hoople · as Loan Officer

  • The Narco Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Records Clerk

  • The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band(1968)

    as Charlie Wrenn

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Blackbeard's Ghost(1968)

    as Dean Wheaton

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Mothers-in-Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 26 episodes · as Roger Buell

  • The King's Pirate(1967)

    as Swaine

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Gnome-Mobile(1967)

    as Ralph Yarby

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Enter Laughing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Pike

  • Rango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Pruitts of Southampton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 4 episodes · as Baldwin

  • Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N.(1966)

    as Survival Manual Narrator

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title(1966)

    as Mr. Travis / Police Chief

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Carol Channing Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Leon Thatcher

  • Billie(1965)

    as Principal Arnold Wilson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • That Darn Cat!(1965)

    as Drive-in-Manager

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Get Smart(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Internship Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • I Dream of Jeannie(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Harley Z. Poof

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Green Acres(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Oglethorpe

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!(1965)

    as Maginot

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Dear Heart(1964)

    as Mr. Cruikshank

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Munsters(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Borden T. Pike

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Addams Family(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Mortimer Phelps

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Patsy(1964)

    as Sy Devore

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Raiders(1963)

    as Commissioner Mailer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Who's Minding the Store?(1963)

    as Tie Salesman

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • My Favorite Martian(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bentley

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Birds(1963)

    as Mitch's City Neighbor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Critic's Choice(1963)

    as Harvey Rittenhouse

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Brubaker

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • That Touch of Mink(1962)

    as Mr. Miller

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • About Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as The Butler

  • Everything's Ducky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Dr. Deckham

  • Lover Come Back(1961)

    as Dr. Melnick

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Dick Van Dyke Show(1961)

    Show 52 episodes · as Mel Cooley

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • 87th Precinct (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin

  • All in a Night's Work(1961)

    as Fur Salesman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mister Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 4 episodes · as Dr. Baker · as Tatti (voice) (uncredited)

  • North to Alaska(1960)

    as Angus - Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Guestward, Ho! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Three Sons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pete and Gladys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • A Summer Place(1959)

    as Pawnbroker (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • -30-(1959)

    as Chapman

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Skidmore

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Funeral Director

  • Bourbon Street Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Man Who Understood Women(1959)

    as Rossi (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Wallace V. Whipple

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Cecil Ellingboe

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Shark

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • It Started with a Kiss(1959)

    as Captain Porter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Silent Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Michael Gilmore

  • The Young Philadelphians(1959)

    as George Archibald

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker(1958)

    as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Hurrah(1958)

    as Graves (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Milburn Schroeder

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Wallace Friend

  • The Rifleman(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Ed Wynn Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Conway

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mr. Conroy · as Mr. Heflin

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The High Cost of Loving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Obstetrician (uncredited)

  • Jack Benny Christmas Shopping Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Shirt Salesman

  • Kiss Them for Me(1957)

    as Bill Hotchkiss (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Decision at Sundown(1957)

    as Reverend Zaron

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Winslow (uncredited)

  • My Man Godfrey(1957)

    as Farnsworth

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Leave It to Beaver(1957)

    Show 5 episodes · as Fred Rutherford

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Real McCoys(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Laidlaw

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Floyd Gimbel

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Wilmer Beaslee

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Thin Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Hired Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Harry Attwood

  • Designing Woman(1957)

    as Larry Musso (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Date with the Angels(1957)

    Show 60 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Spirit of St. Louis(1957)

    as Charles Levine - President, Columbia Aircraft Co. (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Spring Reunion(1956)

    as Sidney (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Affair in Reno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as H.L. Denham

  • Annette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 20 episodes · as Uncle Archie McCleod

  • The Power and the Prize(1956)

    as Howard Carruthers

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Solid Gold Cadillac(1956)

    as Williams (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Proud Ones(1956)

    as Barber (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Kettles in the Ozarks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Big Trout

  • Hot Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Mr. Swift (uncredited)

  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers(1956)

    as Emergency Room Doctor (uncredited) · as Dr. Harvey Bassett (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Good Morning, Miss Dove(1955)

    as Mr. Spivvy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Screen Director's Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)

  • The 20th Century Fox Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Erickson

  • My Sister Eileen(1955)

    as Baker's Receptionist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Navy Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Great Gildersleeve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Botkin

  • Lay That Rifle Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Glover Speckleton

  • This Island Earth(1955)

    as Pilot (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy(1955)

    as Semu

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Blackboard Jungle(1955)

    as Mr. Stanley (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Foundation Rep. Gibson · as Jeweler

  • Prince of Players (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Theatre Manager

  • The Bob Cummings Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as District Attorney

  • Cry Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Bartender at The Cameo Room

  • Désirée(1954)

    as Etienne Clary

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • December Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Bud Hodges · as James, Desi Arnaz's Butler

  • Private Hell 36 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Mr. Mace (uncredited)

  • Shield for Murder(1954)

    as The Professor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Them!(1954)

    as Bald Reporter at L.A. News Conference

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Public Defender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Truant Officer

  • The Danny Thomas Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as John Savich

  • Invaders from Mars(1953)

    as MP

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Life Of Riley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Chauffeur

  • The Ford Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Planter O'Toole

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Thomas Gregory

  • The Jack Benny Program (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 2 episodes · as Shirt Salesman

  • Lux Video Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · as Norton · as Sheldon

  • Ford Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 137 titles from 1948 to 1984; peak year 1967.

Biggest box office

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

$22M worldwide

Highest rated

The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19481984

Peak 1967 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting137 of 137: 137 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s71 · acting1960s44 · acting1970s13 · acting1980s8 · acting

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 0% of 34 roles
53586368

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Richard Deacon's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 53; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 77 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up26
  • 50th to 74th28
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

44 of their 77 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser44
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title (1966)

75th percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Richard Deacon's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Richard Deacon work with?

People who share at least 2 of Richard Deacon's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Henry Mancini shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers