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Actor Ronnie Schell, Gomer Pyle Star, Dies at 94

6/13/2026

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Summary

Ronnie Schell Dies

Ronnie Schell died of natural causes at UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026, at age 94, survived by wife Janet, sons Gregory and Christian, and granddaughter Chiara.
Schell is best known for playing Pvt. Duke Slater on the 1964-1969 sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show.
His career spanned over 150 TV appearances, more than 20 films, and voice work on The Smurfs.

Summary

Mayor's Crazy Resume

He served as mayor of Encino, appointing Phil Hartman as sheriff and John Goodman as attorney general.
He married Janet Rodeberg in 1968, naming Jerry Van Dyke best man.
He performed stand-up in Las Vegas clubs for four decades.
He acted as adviser to Richard Dreyfuss on the 2019 Netflix film “The Last Laugh.”
He voiced the NHL character Peter Puck in the 1970s, despite not knowing hockey.

History

Historical Context

The Andy Griffith Show debuted on CBS on October 3 1960, created by producer Sheldon Leonard and starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor. Its portrayal of a sleepy Mayberry town launched the small-town sitcom format and led to the 1964 spin-off Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. The series ran eight seasons, delivering 249 episodes and finishing its final season as the nation’s #1 rated program.

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Ronnie Schell Dies

Ronnie Schell died of natural causes at UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026, at age 94, survived by wife Janet, sons Gregory and Christian, and granddaughter Chiara.
Schell is best known for playing Pvt. Duke Slater on the 1964-1969 sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show.
His career spanned over 150 TV appearances, more than 20 films, and voice work on The Smurfs.

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