Peter Mark Richman, the actor who played Blake Carrington’s lawyer on Dynasty and was the first CC Capwell on Santa Barbara, has died. He was 93.
Peter Mark Richman Has Passed Away
The actor guest-starred in over 500 TV shows. He also recurred as Suzanne Somers’ father, Rev. Snow, on Three’s Company.
Richman died in Woodland Hills, Calif. of natural causes on Thursday, January 14. Born on April 16, 1927, he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science as a licensed pharmacist in two states. However, he felt called to the stage and became a member of the Actors Studio, appearing in End as a Man, by Calder Willingham.
He starred in mover than 400 performances as the character of Jerry in Edward Albee’s original production of The Zoo Story.
His film career includes the credits Friendly Persuasion, Black Orchid, The Strange One, Naked Gun 2, and Friday the 13th Part 8.
In 1961, Richman headlined his own series Cain’s Hundred, playing Nick Cain, a former underworld lawyer who goes to work for the Federal Government, determined to bring 100 top criminals to justice.
Other TV credits included appearances on The Outer Limits, Murder, She Wrote, Fantasy Island, and Star Trek the Next Generation.
He appeared briefly as Jenna Wade’s (Morgan Fairchild) wealthy lover on Dallas, Maynard Anderson, in 1978. From 1981-84, Richman played the part of Andrew Laird, lawyer to John Forsythe’s Blake Carrington on Dynasty. Andrew was called upon to handle a variety of legal matters for the oil tycoon. He subtly got Blake’s bride Krystle (Linda Evans) to sign a pre-marital agreement on the day of her wedding; later, he defended Blake for the murder of his son Steven’s (Al Corley) lover, Ted Dinard (Michael Patrick Lane).
In 1984, Peter Mark Richman was tapped to take on the role of patriarch C.C. Capwell on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara. He stepped in for Lloyd Bochner (ex-Cecil Colby, Dynasty), who was originally cast in the role but dropped out due to reported health issues. Richman played the role for approximately 25 episodes before being recast with another Dynasty alumni, Paul Burke (ex-Neal McVane).
Post-Dynasty and Santa Barbara, Richman continued to work in episodic television. In 1986, he voiced the role of The Phantom in the animated series Defenders of the Earth. He also voiced the characters of Dr. Strange and Old Spider-man and Old Peter Parker in Spiderman: the Animated Series.
His last credit was a role in the 2016 short film The Final Show in which Jerry Douglas (ex-John, The Young and the Restless) also appeared.
Richman was also a writer, who published novels, short stories, and plays. An accomplished painter, Richman had over 15 critically acclaimed one-man exhibitions of his work.
In 1990, The Motion Picture and Television Fund awarded Richman the Silver Medallion for outstanding humanitarian achievement.
Richman is survived by wife Helen Richman to whom he was married for 67 years; five children: Howard Richman and his wife, Cherie; Kelly Lester and her husband, Loren; Lucas Richman and his wife, Debbie; Orien Richman and his wife, Alevé; and Roger Richman; as well as six grandchildren, Jenny, Lily, Max, Julia, Oliver and Danica.
Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions in honor of Peter Mark Richman can be made to the Motion Picture Television Fund. Soap Hub sends deep sympathies to Richman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
