Richard Erdman

Character actor John Richard Erdmann was born on June 1, 1925 in Enid, Oklahoma, of Dutch descent.

Often cast as amiable sailors, rowdy soldiers, or wisecracking best buddies, Richard's career in both films and television alike encompassed several decades starting in the mid-1940's and continued going strong well into the 2010's. Outside of acting, Erdman also directed two movies and some episodic television. Richard was acting almost right to the end.

Raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Erdman and his single mother moved to Los Angeles, California in 1941 after his high school drama teacher told him he could make it in movies. Richard subsequently enrolled in Hollywood High School. Moreover, Erdman was immediately offered and quickly signed a contract at Warner Bros. while still a teenager upon meeting director Michael Curtiz in his office.

(1/23/10) Attended the San Francisco Film Noir Festival screening of his 1951 film Cry Danger (1951). He got up on stage and talked for 15 minutes, telling several stories about his acting days, actors he worked with, directors and his one-time agent.

Talks about the Swedish-made horror melodrama Face of Fire (1959) in the book "A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde" (McFarland, 2010) by Tom Weaver.

(8/4/07-8/5/07) Attended the 2007 Twilight Zone Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.

Richard & Sharon's daughter, poet Erica Erdman, died in her sleep on February 18, 2010, at age 55.

Williamsburg, VA, USA: Attended the Williamsburg Film Festival. [March 2012]