Monday, December 09, 2019

Remembering René Auberjonois of Benson; Brady Bunch Star to Give Tour of White House on HGTV

René Auberjonois

Actor René Auberjonois, who starred as Clayton Endicott III in Benson, has died. He died from metastatic lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles on December 8. Mr. Auberjonois was 79.

Auberjonois' early television drama guest appearances included Mod Squad, McMillan and Wife, Night Gallery, Harry O, Ellery Queen, The Rookies, Black Sheep Squadron, Delvecchio, The Bionic Woman, Starsky and Hutch, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Family, Hart to Hart and Charlie's Angels. Some of his early sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style, The Jeffersons, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Stockard Channing in Just Friends.

Benson

He starred as Clayton Endicott III in the ABC sitcom Benson. Clayton Endicott III was Governor James Gatling's (James Noble) snobbish and high-handed chief of staff. Auberjonois joined the series in the second season in 1980. His character replaced John Taylor (Lewis J. Stadlen) who appeared in the first season as chief of staff. Auberjonois received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 1984. The series also starred Robert Guillaume, Missy Gold, Inga Swenson, Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Didi Conn (1981-1985) and Billie Bird (1984-1986).

Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Doogie Howser, M.D., Frasier (two episodes as Professor William Tewksbury), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 1600 Penn (two episodes as Winslow Hannum).

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

He starred as Odo in the 1993-1999 syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Constable Odo was the station's chief of security. He was a Changeling, capable of assuming any shape he wishes, but usually assumed a shape of a male adult humanoid. Auberjonois also directed eight episodes of the series from 1995 to 1999. The series also starred Avery Brooks, Terry Farrell, Cirroc Lofton, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn and Nicole de Boer.

Boston Legal

Auberjonois starred as Paul Lewiston the 2004-2008 ABC drama Boston Legal. Paul Lewiston is a senior partner at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. He starred in the first three seasons and had a recurring role in the final two seasons. The series also starred James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Monica Potter, Rhona Mitra, Lake Bell, Julie Bowen, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Constance Zimmer, Craig Bierko, Gary Anthony Williams, Tara Summers and John Larroquette.

He received his second Emmy nomination in 2001 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Judge Mantz in The Practice. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Eerie, Indiana, Matlock, The Outer Limits, Chicago Hope, Stargate SG-1, Nash Bridges, Judging Amy, Star Trek: Enterprise, Warehouse 13, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy and The Good Wife. He appeared as Walter Nowack in four episodes of Madam Secretary in 2016.

Auberjonois was also known for his voice acting. He voiced Chef Louis in 1989's The Little Mermaid and Flanagan in 1997's Cats Don't Dance. Some of his television voice credits included Wildfire, Snorks, The Pirates of Dark Water, Xyber 9, The Legend of Tarzan, Xiaolin Showdown and Pound Puppies.

He made his credited film debut as Father John Mulcahy in M*A*S*H in 1970. He played expedition scientist Roy Bagley in 1976's King Kong. Some of his other film credits included Brewster McCloud, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Images, Pete 'n' Tillie, The Hindenburg, The Big Bus, Eyes of Laura Mars, Where the Buffalo Roam, Walker, The Ballad of Little Jo and The Patriot.

Survivors include his wife, Judith, and their two children, Tessa and Remy.

Mr. Auberjonois was a talented and versatile actor. He was wonderful as Clayton Endicott III in Benson. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us during his long career. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Benson message board. View photos in our galleries.

Benson currently airs on Antenna TV weekdays at 4pm ET/1pm PT and Sundays at 4am ET/1am PT. We'll keep you posted if any tributes are planned.



Maureen McCormick and Alison Victoria

Sparkling silver stars, glistening gold ornaments and illuminated glass panels etched with snowy scenes deck the halls of America's most iconic home in White House Christmas 2019. Premiering on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. ET/PT, the annual HGTV special follows Maureen McCormick -- from the classic television series The Brady Bunch and, most recently, HGTV's hugely successful series A Very Brady Renovation -- and Alison Victoria, star of Windy City Rehab, on an exclusive room-by-room tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue's magnificent holiday transformation.

This year's décor theme, The Spirit of America, is a tribute to the traditions, customs and history that shape our nation and celebrates the courageous individuals who have kept the American spirit alive. For example, the famed gingerbread replica of the White House features landmarks from around the country, such as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore, while the East Room trees take inspiration from the American flag with gilded eagle tree toppers and red and blue ribbons. During the special, Maureen and Alison craft handmade topiaries and ornaments, create a chocolate tree for the gingerbread display, and hang signs and paper flowers representing their home states on the official Blue Room Christmas tree.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, July 1

none scheduled

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 30)

Tuesday, July 1

  • Sam Rockwell (F Is for Family) - Catch Sam on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Isabela Merced (100 Things to Do Before High School/Growing Up Fisher) - Isabela is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Mariska Hargitay (Can't Hurry Love) - Mariska appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
  • Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation), Nico Santos (Superstore) and Pete Holmes (How We Roll/Crashing) - Billy, Nico and Pete are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
  • Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself/Schitt's Creek) and Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory/Happy Family/Welcome to New York/Cybill) - Annie and Christine talk about Nine Perfect Strangers on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
  • Olivia Munn (Perfect Couples) and Amanda Peet (Brockmire/Togetherness/Bent) - Olivia and Amanda talk about Your Friends & Neighbors on a repeat of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Susan Kelechi Watson (Louie) - Susan talks about The Residence on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear) - Liza talks about The Bear on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
  • Zoë Kravitz (High Fidelity) - Zoë is joining Drew to talk about her directorial debut Blink Twice. She's spilling on what it was like working with fiancé Channing Tatum and her take on their viral NYC bike photo on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series Frasier (2023) - Season Two Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered) Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/08 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


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