Actor. He is best remembered for his recurring portrayal of the gold hearted Private Littlejohn on the syndicated sitcom "Combat!". Born Richard Peabody, after serving in the United States Army during World War II, upon returning to civilian life following the end of the war, he attained his degree in communications under the G.I. Bill from the University of Kansas and began his career as a leading man on the stage in stock companies. While attending a social function at the Beverly Hills Hotel, he was introduced to actor Lorne Green. Impressed by his dark good looks, slim physique, and distinctive voice, he took notice of his potential and arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing alongside him in an episode of "Bonanza". From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 20 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, boyfriends, blue-collared guys, cowboys, bailiffs, sheriffs, deputies, policemen, city slickers, bodyguards, state troopers, villains, detectives, reporters, businessmen, landlords, neighbors, eccentrics, curmudgeons, authority figures, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Mackenna's Gold" (1969), "Support Your Local Sheriff!" (1969), "The Good Guys and the Bad Guys" (1969), "The Moonshine War" (1970), "Your Money or Your Wife" (1972), "Sidekicks" (1974), and "Cop on the Beat" (1975). On television, he appeared in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Gunsmoke," "The Big Valley," "Daniel Boone," "Here Come the Brides," "Lancer," "Cannon," "Cade's County," "Adam-12," "Dusty's Trail," "Kojak," "Switch," "Airwolf," and "Knight Rider". During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was a producer for several major studios, had been a notable author who had his own weekly newsletter entitled "Peabody's Place", recorded several audiobooks for the blind, presided on his local charters of the American Red Cross and the United Way, was the celebrity spokesman for Lipton Tea and Paper Mate Ballpoint Pens, had been a theatrical instructor for the UCLA, was one of the many founding members of the Canyon Theatre Guild, was a certified electrical engineer, was cited by gossip columnist Louella Parsons as being "Hollywood's Most Gentle Giant", had been the host of the radio show "KFI-AM", and he was married to fashion model Tina Peabody (their union ended upon his death and produced no children). Following his 1984 retirement, he spent the remainder of his life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions and was a generous benefactor for several state parks and public libraries until his death.