Charles Siebert of Trapper John, M.D. is gone... (1 Viewer)

[bmasters9]

Just heard it that Charles Siebert, who was Dr. Stanley Riverside II on CBS' hit Sunday medical series Trapper John, M.D. from 1979-86, has passed on at 84.

Charles Siebert Dies: ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ Actor Was 84

Charles Siebert, who played the pompous Dr. Stanley Riverside II on the CBS drama 'Trapper John, M.D.,' died May 1 of Covid-related pneumonia at 84.

deadline.com

Also, billing credits...

 

[Matt Hough]

Oh, such sad news. He was such a stalwart as a guest star on so many shows and always gave an interesting and involving performance. Deep thoughts to his friends and family.

 

[Wiseguy]

Also on One Day at a Time as Ann's boss. Interesting the way they did that role. The firm's name was Connors and Davenport. We first saw John Hillerman in the role of Connors in 1976-77. When Hillerman left to do The Betty White Show they brought in Charles Siebert to play the previously unseen Davenport. Then Siebert left in 1979 to do Trapper John, M.D. so they brought back Hillerman to play Connors again. When Hillerman left in 1980 to do Magnum, P.I. and with Trapper John renewed, instead of bringing a new boss in, they had Ann quit her job! I was surprised to see that both Hillerman and Siebert appeared only a total of six times each.

 

[bmasters9]

Also on One Day at a Time as Ann's boss. Interesting the way they did that role. The firm's name was Connors and Davenport. We first saw John Hillerman in the role of Connors in 1976-77. When Hillerman left to do The Betty White Show they brought in Charles Siebert to play the previously unseen Davenport. Then Siebert left in 1979 to do Trapper John, M.D. so they brought back Hillerman to play Connors again. When Hillerman left in 1980 to do Magnum, P.I. and with Trapper John renewed, instead of bringing a new boss in, they had Ann quit her job! I was surprised to see that both Hillerman and Siebert appeared only a total of six times each.

That is weird that the producers/showrunners of One Day would go back and forth on the roles of the bosses of Ann's job (BTW, what kind of job/business was it?).

 

[Wiseguy]

According to nostalgiacentral.com (hard to remember the details after 40 years),

"When the show began, Ann was working for the Connors and Davenport Advertising Agency, then later founded the Romano and Handris Ad Agency with Nick Handris (Ron Rifkin). When the business folded, Ann and her former co-worker (and rival) at Connors and Davenport, Francine Webster (Shelley Fabares), pooled their resources and opened the Romano and Webster Ad Agency."

Coincidentally (or not), Ann’s mother, Katherine was played by veteran actor Nanette Fabray (and Shelley Fabares' aunt) eventually becoming a series regular, appearing in almost every episode.

 

[Dave Lawrence]

That’s too bad. I always enjoyed Mr. Siebert on Trapper John. He had the kind of role that could easily become one-note and caricature in the wrong hands. Instead, his character was often arrogant and frustrating but still likable.

Prior to that series, I think the Norman Lear folks really liked him and were hoping to eventually find a permanent place for him, as they used him in guest roles for several of their shows. Besides his occasional work on One Day at a Time, he appeared in a Good Times episode as the quirky banker the family met with regarding a home loan, and on Maude as Carol’s ex-husband. He showed up on Mary Hartman and also made 3 appearances on All in the Family (3 different roles), including as a rabbi in the classic episode where Archie gives the eulogy for his best friend Stretch Cunningham.

He was also great on game shows, including Super Password and the various incarnations of Pyramid.

RIP, Charles.