Richard Anderson, Actor Best Known For Portrayal Of Oscar Goldman On The Six Million Dollar Man & Bionic Woman, Passes Away At 91, RIP

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Richard Anderson, actor from ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ and ‘The Bionic Woman,’ dies at 91

BEVERLY HILLS >> Richard Anderson, best known for his portrayal of Oscar Goldman — boss to Lee Majors on “The Six Million Dollar Man” and Lindsay Wagner in the spinoff “The Bionic Woman” — died Thursday at age 91.

Anderson died at his home in Beverly Hills, according to publicist Jonathan Taylor.

A New Jersey native, Anderson began his career with MGM, where he worked as a messenger before signing an acting contract and appearing in films such as “Forbidden Planet” and “The Magnificent Yankee.” He later appeared in director Stanley Kubrick’s World War I drama “Paths of Glory,” John Frankenheimer’s “Seven Days in May” and Sidney Sheldon’s “The Buster Keaton Story.”

He also worked opposite Paul Newman in “The Long, Hot Summer.”

Anderson also had a prolific television career, appearing in more than 100 series, most notably portraying the brother-in-law of Dr. Richard Kimble in the final episodes of the ABC drama “The Fugitive.”

But it was his work as Oscar Goldman, head of a secretive government agency that “rebuilt” severely injured astronaut Steve Austin in “The Six Million Dollar Man,” that made him truly famous.

Majors, who portrayed Austin in the classic series, recalled that he first met his future TV boss when Anderson guest-starred on “The Big Valley” in 1967.

“Richard became a dear and loyal friend, and I have never met a man like him,” Majors said. “I called him ‘Old Money.’ His always stylish attire, his class, calmness and knowledge never faltered in his 91 years. He loved his daughters, tennis and his work as an actor. He was still the sweet, charming man when I spoke to him a few weeks ago. I will miss you, my friend.”

Anderson is survived by three daughters, Ashley, Brooke and Deva. Their mother, Katharine Thalberg — daughter of Irving Thalberg and Norma Shearer — died in 2006. She and Anderson were married from 1961-73.

Memorial services are expected to be private.

John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page, his instagram feed and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!