Richard Deacon was the bald, bespectacled character actor most famous for playing television producer Mel Cooley on _"The Dick Van Dyke Show" as the eponymous heroine in the 1969-70 season. Deacon continued appearing on television and in the movies until his death. In real life, Deacon was a gourmet chef. In the 1980s he hosted a Canadian TV program on microwave cookery, and even wrote a companion book on the subject On the night of August 8, 1984, he was stricken by a heart attack in his Beverly Hills home. He was rushed to Cedars Sinai Hospital, where he died later that night. He was 63 years old.
Imposing, bald-pated, bespectacled character actor, best known for playing imperious authority figure types. In private life, a bookish man and a renowned gourmet chef.
He was cremated at Grandview Crematory. The funeral director was from Westwood Village Mortuary.
Deacon was an expert cook and wrote a book on microwave cooking that sold 1.7 million copies and had a syndicated Canadian TV cooking show. At the time of his death he was working on a cooking video.
Made his film debut in Dsire and considered it his favorite role.
Attended Ithaca College as a Drama major for two years and later became the actor in residence at Bennington College for a semester.
Was stricken with polio at age 11 and took up dancing in an effort to build up his weakened legs.
Was friends with Barbara Billingsley , and Dick Van Dyke.
He was awarded the C.B.E. in the 1999 Queens New Years Honors List for his services to sculpture.
(January 2007) He is based in London, England.
