Actor Richard Moll, famous for role on TV's 'Night Court,' dies at age 80
The showbusiness world was saddened last week to learn that Richard Moll, perhaps best known for his work in TV's Night Court, passed away at the age of 80, as Entertainment Weekly reports.
Moll's death was said to have taken place at the actor's home in Big Bear Lake, California, and it was confirmed by publicist Jeff Sanderson, according to Breitbart.
Many will remember Moll primarily for his portrayal of “Bull” Shannon on the aforementioned NBC comedy, which aired from 1984-1992.
The character Moll played on the show was one of a lovable, gentle giant who frequently uttered the catchphrase “Ohh-kay” as a means of comic relief.
Though the role made successful use of Moll's impressive stature -- he stood 6 feet 8 inches tall -- the show's storyline also featured Shannon's close bond with fellow court bailiff Roz Russell, brought to life by actress Marsha Warfield.
While it is true that large segments of the TV-watching populace recognize Moll mainly from the aforementioned role, his career included appearances in a range of popular programs, including Happy Days, Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley, The Rockford Files, and Welcome Back, Kotter.
Perhaps somewhat less known was Moll's prolific work as a voice-over actor, with roles included that of Harvey Dent/Two-Face in three separate Batman productions and that of Scorpion on Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Other credits accumulated by Moll over the course of his career included turns in Jingle All the Way, The Flintstones, Scary Movie 2, Driving Me Crazy, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 7th Heaven, Smallville, and Cold Case, to name just a few.
Moll was born in Pasadena, California in January of 1943, and was a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley.
Though he studied history in college, it soon became evident to Moll that his career aspirations did not lie in the law, as had his father's.
Instead, Moll's interests shifted to acting, and it was not long before he found himself performing in Shakespearean productions at the Will Geer Theater.
Though his unusual height and distinctive voice initially hindered his ability to secure roles, they eventually became the very things that set him apart and made him appealing to casting directors in the realms of both stage and screen.
Moll was not part of NBC's recent reboot of Night Court, though his former castmate, John Larroquette, did sign on to reprise his prior role.
Rather, Moll appeared content to continue his retirement in Big Bear Lake, where he was known to be an enthusiastic bird watcher and nature lover and someone who will now be remembered fondly not just by his legions of fans, but also by children Chloe and Mason, ex-wife Susan Moll, and two stepchildren.