Richard Dysart, a veteran stage and screen actor who played senior partner Leland McKenzie in the long-running TV courtroom drama "L.A. Law," has died after a long illness. He was 86.
Dysart died Sunday at his home in Santa Monica, California, according to his daughter-in-law Jeannine Jacobi.
He created the Broadway role of the Coach in "That Championship Season," for which he won a Drama Desk Award in 1972, and his many film appearances included Hal Ashby's "Being There," Clint Eastwood's "Pale Rider" and John Carpenter's "The Thing."
But his most memorable role was likely that of head man in the firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak in NBC's 1986-1994 series. It was produced by Steven Bochco, who, having scored a hit with the police series "Hill Street Blues," was casting another multi-character series that would portray the life in a toney Los Angeles law office.
"I was trying to make it by doing films and TV movies," Dysart said in an Associated Press interview in 1988. Then he heard about the prospective "L.A. Law" project, and called his agent.
"After I read the script," he recalled, "I called him and said I wanted to talk to Steven Bochco. My agent said, 'That's funny, he wants to talk to you.'"
The role as Leland McKenzie was largely an official one, patiently advising his lawyers about their cases and their romances. But he had one experience during the 1988 season that was out of character: a romance with a beautiful law student 30 years McKenzie's junior. Dysart was delighted to depict this May-December fling.
"L.A. Law," for which Dysart won an Emmy, was the culmination of his long career.
But he hadn't thought much about acting when he was growing up in Maine. He worked at a local radio station, but only when he enrolled at Emerson College in Boston did he consider acting as a profession. After earning his master's degree, he headed to Broadway.
In the 1960s, he became interested in repertory and became one of the founding members of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. George C. Scott appeared with the company, and he and Dysart became good friends. Dysart later joined Scott in a New York revival of "The Little Foxes."
In 1968, Dysart made his film debut with Scott and Julie Christie in Richard Lester's "Petulia." He also appeared with Scott in "Hospital," ''Hindenberg," ''The Last Days of Gen. Patton" and on Scott's TV series "East Side/West Side."
Dysart portrayed a variety of prominent figures. He was Dwight D. Eisenhower in "The Last Days of Gen. Patton" and in a BBC film "Churchill and the Generals." He played Harry Truman in the CBS movie "Day One" and in the ABC miniseries "War and Remembrance." He was J. Edgar Hoover in "Panther" and Henry L. Stimson, secretary of war in 1940-1945, in "Truman."
In 1987, Dysart married artist Kathryn Jacobi, who survives him.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
“I’ve... Read More