Richard Marner

Most often cast in military roles, Russian-born character actor Richard Marner grew up in the United Kingdom, where he joined the Royal Air Force during World War II. After an injury brought an abrupt end to his military career, Marner turned to acting. He started out in theater but broke into film in 1950 with a small role in the largely forgotten British drama "Lilli Marlene." Though inauspicious, this debut proved to be the start of a long and prolific career. Throughout the next 30 years, Marner snagged supporting roles in a number of films and television programs, where the grim-mugged actor was often typecast as Russian military men. In 1980, he was made a cast member on the Jack Galloway TV drama "Mackenzie," which proved short-lived. Marner rebounded with ease, when his well-established line of stern military men led to his role on the World War II-set sitcom "'Allo! 'Allo!." In a staggering list of roles, Marner is best remembered as the bullying German Colonel Kurt von Strohm on the long-running series set in a small café in occupied France that is frequented by a colorful cast of characters. After 10 years, the show wrapped, and the aging Marner grew more selective in choosing roles. He made his final onscreen appearance in 2002 playing President Zorkin in the Ben Affleck political thriller "The Sum of All Fears." Two years later, the beloved and diligent character actor died. He was 82 years old.