Herbert Birchell Remsen Jr. (February 25, 1925 – April 22, 1999) was an American actor and casting director.
He began acting professionally after Navy service during World War II. During the 1950s he was active in both theatre and television, making his film debut in 1959 with Pork Chop Hill. In 1964 he was nearly killed on the set of the TV series No Time For Sergeants when a collapsing crane fell on him. A lengthy recovery from a broken back followed, and Remsen switched his focus to casting behind the scenes. During the 1970s he resurfaced as an actor, becoming part of Robert Altman’s production posse with major roles in such films as McCabe & Mrs. Miller and Thieves Like Us. Robert Benton’s 1984 drama Places in the Heart gave him another plum role.
Remsen was still acting at the time of his death of heart failure at age 74. He was married twice. His first, brief marriage was to actress Katherine MacGregor, later of Little House on the Prairie. He later married Barbara Dodd who, like him, split time between acting and casting. He and Dodd had two daughters, the actresses Kerry Remsen and Ann Remsen Manners.
Works with Bert Remsen:
open/close all folders
Film
- 1959 Pork Chop Hill: Lt. Cummings
- 1959 Destination Space: Technician (Made-for-TV Movie)
- 1960 Tess of the Storm Country: Mike Foley
- 1962 Moon Pilot: Agent Brown
- 1962 Kid Galahad: Max (Uncredited Role)
- 1964 Dead Ringer: Dan Lister
- 1965 Lollipop Cover: Salesman
- 1966 The Doomsday Flight: Police Officer (TV Movie)
- 1970 The Strawberry Statement: Policeman at Gate
- 1970 Brewster McCloud: Douglas Breen
- 1971 McCabe & Mrs. Miller: Bart Coyle
- 1971 If Tomorrow Comes: Coslow (TV Movie)
- 1972 Fuzz: Sgt. Murchison
- 1974 The Death Squad: The Chidf (TV Movie)
- 1974 Thieves Like Us: Thomas “T-Dub” Masefield
- 1974 California Split: Helen Brown
- 1975 Nashville: Star
- 1975 Sweet Hostage: Mr. Withers (TV Movie)
- 1976 Brinks The Great Robbery: Ted Flynn (TV Movie)
- 1976 Baby Blue Marine: Mr. Hudkins
- 1976 Harry And Walter Go To New York: Guard O’Meara
- 1976 Buffalo Bill And The Indians Or Sitting Bulls History Lesson: The Bartender (Crutch)
- 1977 Tarantulas The Deadly Cargo: Mayor Douglas (TV Movie)
- 1978 A Wedding (1978): William Williamson
- 1978 Uncle Joe Shannon: Braddock
- 1979 Fast Break: Bo Winnegar
- 1979 Joni: John Ereckson
- 1979 Flesh and Blood: Jorgenson (TV Movie)
- 1979 Love For Rent: Ben (TV Movie)
- 1980 Carny: Delno Baptiste
- 1980 Borderline: Carl J. Richards
- 1980 Second Hand Hearts: Voyd
- 1980 Inside Moves: Stinky
- 1981 Crazy Times: Father Burke (TV Movie)
- 1982 Victims: Lt. McClain (TV Movie)
- 1982 Lookin To Get Out: Smitty
- 1983 Independence Day: Red Malone
- 1983 The Sting II: Kid Colors
- 1983 MADD Mothers Against Drunk Drivers: Dick Dodridge (TV Movie)
- 1983 Policewoman Centerfold: Captain David Buckman (TV Movie)
- 1983 Memorial Day: Clay Gibbs (TV Movie)
- 1983 Hobsons Choice: Homer Ralston (TV Movie)
- 1983 Lies: Murray Haliday
- 1984 Places in the Heart: Tee Tot Hightower
- 1984 Burning Rage: J. D. Moses (TV Movie)
- 1984 I Married A Centerfold: Gramps (TV Movie)
- 1985 Code of Silence: Commander Kates
- 1985 Generation: Tom Breed (TV Movie)
- 1985 Stand Alone: Paddie
- 1986 TerrorVision: Grampa
- 1986 Convicted: Grandfather (TV Movie)
- 1986 Who Is Julia: Joseph Dineen (TV Movie)
- 1986 Eye Of The Tiger: Father Healey
- 1987 PK And The Kid: Al
- 1987 Three For The Road: Stu
- 1988 Remote Control: Bill Denver
- 1988 South Of Reno: Howard Stone
- 1989 Miss Firecracker: Mr. Stone
- 1989 Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat: Milt
- 1989 Curfew: Gentleman with Cane
- 1989 Night Walk: Chauncey (TV Movie)
- 1990 Vietnam Texas: Monsignor Sheehan
- 1990 Daddys Dyin Whos Got The Will: Daddy
- 1990 Peacemaker: Doc
- 1990 Dick Tracy: Bartender
- 1990 Jezebels Kiss: Doctor Samuel Whatley
- 1990 Payback: Burt
- 1991 Only the Lonely: Spats
- 1991 Evil Spirits: John Wilson
- 1992 Maid For Each Other: Minister (TV Movie)
- 1992 The Player: Bert Remsen
- 1992 Ladykiller: Medical Examiner O’Malley (TV Movie)
- 1992 The Bodyguard: Rotary Club President
- 1993 Joshua Tree: Woody Engstrom
- 1993 Jack The Bear: Mitchell
- 1993 There Is Was A Thing: Father McHenry (TV Movie)
- 1993 In The Shadows Someones Watching: Oliver London (TV Movie)
- 1994 Secret Sins Of The Father: Judge Kleiser (TV Movie)
- 1994 Rise And Walk The Dennis Byrd Story: Mr. Robinson (TV Movie)
- 1994 Maverick: Riverboat Poker Player
- 1994 Open Fire: Walter the Guard
- 1994 Bloodfist VI Ground Zero: Old Man
- 1995 Dillinger And Capone: Wheezy
- 1995 White Man's Burden: Hot Dog Vendor
- 1996 Crime Of The Century: Dr. John Condon (TV Movie)
- 1996 Humanoids from the Deep: Duffy the Coroner (TV Movie)
- 1997 Conspiracy Theory: Alice’s Father
- 1997 Road Ends: Arliss
- 1997 Hugo Pool: Sad Old Man
- 1999 Tycus: Randall Barnett
- 1999 Lansky: Senator Tobey (TV Movie)
- 1999 Forces of Nature: Ned
- 1999 The Sky Is Falling: Mr. Finch
- 1999 A Walk In The Park: Ken Sherry
Short Films
- 1983 The Luck Of Roaring Camp: Stumpy
- 1991 The Walter Ego: Bartender Jake
Television
- 1952 Suspense: Guard (1 episode)
- 1956 Playwrights 56: Hank (1 episode)
- 1956 The United States Steel Hour: Horse (1 episode)
- 1957 Telephone Time: Ned Cullen (1 episode)
- 1958 The Silent Service: Murdock (1 episode)
- 1958 Maverick: Deputy George (1 episode)
- 1958 Jefferson Drum: Jim Ford (1 episode)
- 1958 Man With A Camera: Barnes (1 episode)
- 1959 M Squad: Harry Frost (1 episode)
- 1959 Yancy Derringer: Major James Sampson (1 episode)
- 1959 The D As Man: Dewey Sander (1 episode)
- 1959 Rescue 8: Andrew Ramsey (1 episode)
- 1959 US Marshal: Ralph Lacey (1 episode)
- 1959 The Man And The Challenge: Ken (1 episode)
- 1959-61 Rawhide: Ash/Murdock (4 episodes)
- 1960 Johnny Staccato: Jason Eldridge (1 episode)
- 1960 The Detectives: Joe Kirby Jr. (1 episode)
- 1960 Tales Of Wells Fargo: Burkett (1 episode)
- 1960 Wanted: Dead or Alive: Lt. Pierce (1 episode)
- 1960 Lock Up: Brian Carter (1 episode)
- 1960 The Loretta Young Show: Ted Clevenger (1 episode)
- 1960 One Step Beyond (1959): Priest (1 episode)
- 1960 Thriller: First Detective (1 episode)
- 1961 The Islanders: Noel Parkinson (1 episode)
- 1961 Perry Mason: Police Lt. White (1 episode)
- 1961 Peter Gunn: Frank Dineen (1 episode)
- 1961 Alcoa Premiere: Burkhardt (1 episode)
- 1961 The Donna Reed Show: Carlson (1 episode)
- 1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Police Lieutenant/The Policeman/Jimmy – Bartender/The Officer (4 episodes)
- 1961-63 Route 66: Skeats/Higgy/Army Sergeant/Police Officer (5 episodes)
- 1961-64 Dr. Kildare: Dr. Oscar Hoag/Dr. Tom Belmanno/Dr. MacDonald (4 episodes)
- 1962 Surfside 6: Sgt. Owen Crawford (1 episode)
- 1962 Leave It to Beaver: Mr. Thompson (1 episode)
- 1962 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: The Sheriff (1 episode)
- 1962 The Eleventh Hour: Judge (1 episode)
- 1962 The Lloyd Bridges Show: Tom Taylor/Luke Mason (2 episodes)
- 1962 Going My Way: The 1st Salesman (1 episode)
- 1962-63 The Dick Powell Theatre: Charlie (2 episodes)
- 1962-63 My Three Sons: Captain Maynard/Mr. Fowler (2 episodes)
- 1963 Saints And Sinners: Chester Demlow (1 episode)
- 1963 Sam Benedict: Jack Seibert (1 episode)
- 1963 The Outer Limits (1963): Frank Summers (1 episode)
- 1963 The Fugitive: US Coast Guard Skipper (1 episode)
- 1964 Hazel: Federal Man (1 episode)
- 1964 The Third Man: Charlie (1 episode)
- 1964 Twelve O Clock High: Sergeant Nero (3 episodes)
- 1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre: 2nd Cop (1 episode)
- 1965 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea: Senator Kimberly (1 episode)
- 1965 The Andy Griffith Show: Jim Slater (1 episode)
- 1965-66 The Dick Van Dyke Show: Heckler/Announcer/Bartender (3 episodes)
- 1965-66 Peyton Place: Detective Lawrence (4 episodes)
- 1965-69 The F.B.I.: Spectrographic Examiner/Control Tower Supervisor/TV News Announcer’s Voice (3 episodes)
- 1966 The Virginian: Jury Foreman (1 episode)
- 1974-75 The Rookies: Malcolm Gates/Lucas Dawson (2 episodes)
- 1975 Ironside (1967): Billie Joe (1 episode)
- 1975-76 Doc: Father Murphy (2 episodes)
- 1975-77 Police Woman: Ed Berrigan/Mr. Bane (2 episodes)
- 1976 S.W.A.T. (1975): Heath (1 episode)
- 1976 Columbo: Mark (1 episode)
- 1976-77 Gibbsville: Mr. Pell
- 1977-78 Charlie's Angels: Pinky Tibbs/Brewster McFarland (2 episodes)
- 1978 The Awakening Land: Isaac Barker
- 1978 Family: Mr. Defilips (1 episode)
- 1979 Starsky & Hutch: Franklin Anderson (2 episodes)
- 1979 Wonder Woman (1975): Dr. Jaffe (2 episodes)
- 1979-82 Hart to Hart: Jimmy Delaney/Mr. McKenna (2 episodes)
- 1980-81 It's a Living: Mario (13 episodes)
- 1982 Knots Landing: Jackson Mobley (1 episode)
- 1982 Chi Ps: Jim (1 episode)
- 1982 The Phoenix: Hal Massey (1 episode)
- 1982 Cagney & Lacey: Deputy Chief (1 episode)
- 1982 Tuckers Witch: Senator MacGowan (1 episode)
- 1982-84 Trapper John, M.D.: Eugene/Tom Wheeler (2 episodes)
- 1983 Remington Steele: Barney Kiernan (1 episode)
- 1983-84 The Yellow Rose: Clem/Larry Goodell (3 episodes)
- 1984 Dynasty (1981): Jack Cager (4 episodes)
- 1985 Space: Ed Specktor
- 1987 Jack And Mike: Dalton (1 episode)
- 1987 Dallas: Dandy Dandridge (10 episodes)
- 1987 Matlock: Wilson Douglas (1 episode)
- 1988-92 Jake and the Fatman: Amos Banning/Shopkeeper (2 episodes)
- 1989 The New Adam 12: Howard (1 episode)
- 1990 Dragnet: Sid Dempsey (1 episode)
- 1991 Life Goes On: Gramps (1 episode)
- 1991 Pros And Cons: Father Karl (1 episode)
- 1993 The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.: Judge (1 episode)
- 1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Kubus (1 episode)
- 1995 Fallen Angels: Old Man (1 episode)
- 1995-98 Melrose Place: Judge George Markham/Joe Curtis/Sonny Skyler (3 episodes)
- 1996 Baywatch: Shop Owner (1 episode)
- 1997 Pensacola: Wings of Gold: Dave Henson (1 episode)
- 1999 Clueless: Bronson Alcott (1 episode)
- 1999 The Pretender: Father Moore (1 episode)
