Ron Masak
Sheriff Mort Metzger in Murder, she wrote
Birth name : Ron Masak
Birth date : 1936/07/01 (89 years old)
Birth place : Chicago
Height: 1.85 m
Biography for Ron Masak
Trained in the Classics at CCC in Chicago, Ron has proven himself equally at home on stage or screen with Shakespeare or Slapstick. Professionally he has played everything from Stanley in "Streetcar Named Desire" to Sakini in "Teahouse of the August Moon". From Will Stockdale in "No Time For Sergeants" to Marc Antony in "Julius Caesar". More proof of his versatility was seen in "Mr. Roberts", where in one production he played Ensign Pulver and in another production Mr. Roberts himself. He was resident leading man at Candlelight Theatre in Chicago for 3 1/2 years. He never missed a performance. His knack at doing impressions won him a trip around the world as a member of the All Army show. Again in over 700 shows he never missed a performance. He was the only Military Policeman ever to do the show. It was while doing theatre and commercials in Chicago that he was brought to the attention of producer Harry Ackerman and was brought to California to test for the lead in a pilot. While here, Ron met John Sturges and was cast in Ice Station Zebra (1968).
His filmography speaks for his versatility. Equally at home on the concert tour, he has emceed hundreds of shows for the top names in the variety field. He is also a popular talk and game show guest. An outstanding athlete, he has his own uniform and has worked out with the LA Dodgers for over 20 years. He is often introduced as "One of America's most familiar faces" but since his 8 year run as Sheriff Mort Metzger on "Murder, She Wrote" (1984), we can safely say "One of the World's most
Ron Masak is an American player, producer and director born July 1, 1936 in Chicago. He started working in the theater. His 1st role on the screen was in an episode of the "fourth dimension" in 1960. He is better known for his recurring role of the Sherrif Dead Metzger in the series "Arabesque". He also made the voice for Vetaran Holt in the video game Medal of Honor: European Assault.
Ron Masak is an American actor known for his work in the 1970s and 1980s. He played in many popular television series of that time, such as "Lancelot Link, Chimp investigator" and "The adventures of Brisco County Jr.".
Masak was born in 1937 in Chicago, Illinois. He studied theater at the University of Northwestern before starting his acting career. He first appeared in television series such as "funny ladies" and "Woman police".
In 1975, he obtained his most famous role as Sergeant Chuck O'Hara in the television series "Remington Steele" surveys. In this series, he played the partner of investigator Laura Holt, interpreted by Stephanie Zimbalist. The series was very successful and was broadcast for five seasons.
After "Remington Steele's investigations", Masak continued to work in many television series, including "Perry Mason", "Moonlighting" and "Murder, She Wrote". He also played in films such as "The Bad News Bears Go To Japan" and "The Bears and I".
In addition to his acting career, Masak is also a film and television producer. He produced several independent films, including "The Last Round" and "No Safe Haven".
Over the years, Masak has won several awards for his work as an actor. He notably received an Emmy Award in 1982 for his performance in "The Grace Kelly Story".
Apart from his acting career, Masak is also passionate about golf and classical music. He was also a member of the California Artists Radio Theater. Finally, he is also an ardent defender of animal rights and has worked with several charities to protect animals in danger.
Photos
Filmography
| Title | Role |
|---|---|
| American Dragon: Jake Long - Family Business (2006) TV Episode | Marty Voice |
| The Benchwarmers (2006) | Principal |
| Medal of Honor: European Assault (2005) (VG) (voice) | Vetaran Holt |
| The Stoneman (2002) | Detective Lt. J.D. Hill |
| The Thundering 8th (2000) | Spike Sills |
| No Code of Conduct (1998) | Julian Disanto |
| Columbo: Ashes to Ashes (1998) (TV) | Eddie Fenelle |
| Snowden on Ice (1997) (TV) (voice) | |
| When Time Expires (1997) (TV) | TV Evangelist, Thermot's Interface |
| Murder, She Wrote | Sheriff Mort Metzger (1989-1996) |
| Adventures of Nicholas at Roaring Camp (1996) (TV) | Narrator |
| Cops n Roberts (1995) | Vince Palermo |
| Intruders (1992) (TV) | Manning |
| They Came from Outer Space - Ads Are Us (1991) TV Episode | Mr. Smackles |
| Listen to Me (1989) | Mr. Tomanski |
| She's the Sheriff - New Year's Eve (1987) TV Episode | The Governor |
| The Law and Harry McGraw (1987) TV Series | Lieutenant Paul |
| Starman - Dusty (1987) TV Episode | Henry Bridges |
| Bustin' Loose - Rain, Rain Go Away (1987) TV Episode | |
| Webster - The Derby (1986) TV Episode | Woody |
| New Love, American Style - Love and Passion Point (????) TV Episode | |
| Remington Steele - Forged Steele (1985) TV Episode | Harry Cranston |
| Falcon Crest - The Trial (1985) TV Episode | Doug Eberhart |
| Diff'rent Strokes - Sam's New Pal (1985) TV Episode | Ray Harris |
| E/R - Mr. Fix-It (1984) TV Episode | Rudy |
| Jennifer Slept Here - Take, Jennifer Please (1984) TV Episode | Maloney |
| Masquerade - Sleeper (1984) TV Episode | |
| The Yellow Rose - Debt of Honor (1984) TV Episode | Johnny Tupeio |
| Goodnight, Beantown - Lost and Foundering (1984) TV Episode | Capt. Brolley |
| Meatballs and Spaghetti (1982) TV Series (voice) | Meatballs |
| The Neighborhood (1982) (TV) | Nick Riccardo |
| The Kid from Nowhere (1982) (TV) | Olympics Announcer |
| Jessica Novak - Closeup News (1981) TV Episode | Sgt. Galvin |
| Quincy M.E. | |
| Magnum, P.I. - Skin Deep (1981) TV Episode | J.J. Stein |
| Private Benjamin - Undercover Judy (1981) TV Episode | Sgt.Bender |
| Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop (1980) (TV) | Dimaggio |
| The Aliens Are Coming (1980) (TV) | Harve Nelson |
| Eischied | |
| Pleasure Cove (1979) (TV) | Joe |
| Wally Brown (1979) TV Series | Warren Burdett |
| Wonder Woman | |
| Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978) | Herbie Maddox |
| The Bastard (1978) (TV) (voice) | |
| Police Story | |
| No Margin for Error (1978) (TV) | Onorato |
| Laserblast (1978) | Sheriff |
| Alice - The Eyes of Texas (1978) TV Episode | J.W. |
| The Rockford Files | |
| The Feather and Father Gang - Welcome Home, Vinie (1977) TV Episode | Arnold |
| In the Glitter Palace (1977) (TV) | Fred Ruggiero |
| Barnaby Jones - Fraternity of Thieves (1976) TV Episode | Albert Woods |
| Once an Eagle (1976) (mini) TV Series | Maynard Lambert |
| Woman in the Rain (1976) | |
| Good Heavens - Good Neighbor Maxine (1976) TV Episode | Buck |
| McNaughton's Daughter (1976) (TV) | Sam Bacon |
| This Is the Life | |
| Lucky Lady (1975) (voice) | |
| Barney Miller - Horse Thief (1975) TV Episode | Officer Shriker |
| The Law (1975) (mini) TV Series | Matt Lee |
| Police Woman - Sidewinder (1975) TV Episode | Pincus |
| Jeremiah of Jacob's Neck (1975) | Chief Tom Rankin |
| The Man from Clover Grove (1975) | Claude Raintree |
| Land of the Lost - Hurricane (1974) TV Episode | Beauregard Jackson |
| Emergency! | |
| The Law (1974) (TV) | |
| Marcus Welby, M.D. | |
| Good Times - J.J. Becomes a Man: Part 2 (1974) TV Episode | Sloane |
| Love, American Style | |
| Love Thy Neighbor (1973) TV Series | Charlie Wilson |
| Medical Center - No Margin for Error (1973) TV Episode | Ron |
| The Sandy Duncan Show - Episode #1.8 (1972) TV Episode | |
| The Bob Newhart Show - P-I-L-O-T (1972) TV Episode | Mike Mitchell |
| Heat of Anger (1972) (TV) | |
| Longstreet - The Sound of Money Talking (1972) TV Episode | |
| Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law - The Color of Respect (1972) TV Episode | Stan Krause - Men Who Care: Part 2 (1971) TV Episode |
| Mannix - The Sound of Murder (1972) TV Episode | Barry Gates |
| Mission: Impossible - Nerves (1971) TV Episode | Ed Campbell |
| Evel Knievel (1971) | Pete |
| McMillan and Wife | |
| Mary Tyler Moore | |
| The Priest Killer (1971) (TV) | Michaels |
| The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1971) | 1st Baseball Fan |
| The Young Lawyers - And the Walls Came Tumbling Down (1971) TV Episode | F.P. Expert |
| Assault on the Wayne (1971) (TV) | CPO Corky Schmidt |
| Bewitched | |
| Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) | Lt. Laurence Ruff |
| Nanny and the Professor - I Think That I Shall Never See a Tree (1970) TV Episode | Frankie |
| Mayberry R.F.D. - Goober and the Telephone Girl (1969) TV Episode | Jim |
| Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969) (uncredited) | Paul Fleming |
| I Dream of Jeannie - Jeannie and the Secret Weapon (1969) TV Episode | MacWhorter - Genie, Genie, Who's Got the Genie? (1968) TV Episode |
| A Time for Dying (1969) | Sam, the Bartender |
| Vernon's Volunteers (1969) (TV) | |
| The Good Guys (1968) TV Series | Andy Gardner (1968) |
| Get Smart - The Worst Best Man (1968) TV Episode | Schlermer |
| Ice Station Zebra (1968) | CPO Paul Zabrinczski |
| The Flying Nun | |
| The Monkees - Monstrous Monkee Mash (1968) TV Episode | Count Dracula |
| Second Effort (1968) | Ron |
| The Second Hundred Years - Oh Dad, Oh Dad (1967) TV Episode | Cop |
| Love on a Rooftop - Frocks of Trouble (1966) TV Episode | |
| Nightmare in Chicago (1964) (TV) | |
| Kraft Suspense Theatre - Once Upon a Savage Knight (1964) TV Episode | Sergeant Ford |
Trivia
- Was offered a contract by The Chicago White Sox while only 16. The scout was Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby.
- Post Soldier of the Month (Fort Benjamin Harrison) [1960]
- Was only Military Policeman to ever appear in world touring All Army Show
- Was the first recipient of Muscular Dystrophys "Humanitarian of the year" award. Was named "Man of the Year" by Volunteers Assisting Cancer Stricken Families. Worldwide Ambassador for "Childhelp USA".
- Hosted Jerry Lewis Telethon in Los Angeles 10 years.
- Starred as Lou Costello in 5 different advertising campaigns.
- Was voice of Vlasic pickle stork 15 years.
- Headlined World Touring All Army Show "Rolling Along 1960" voted one of the "Outstanding Young Men in America" 1963-4
- Toured World doing impressions: Considered the first Elvis impersonator as early as 1956. Did Elvis on "Spade Cooley TV Show" in 1957
- Among others in his "View Of Vegas" were Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Darin, Shelley Berman, Joe E. Lewis and Johnnie Ray.
- Chicago College Actor of the Year 1956
- During his 8 years as Sheriff Mort Metzger on "Murder, She Wrote" (1984), he only had one female deputy, Deputy Lynn Olsen. She was played by his actress daughter Kathryn Masak.
- In the Episode "Wheel Of Death" The Carnival Knife thrower "Nicky" was played by actor Jimi Defilippis, who is now married to Ron's daughter Debbie.
- Honorary sheriff of Tarzana, California
- In 1954 he was voted "Homecoming King" at Kelly High School in Chicago Illinois.
- Appeared in 32 consecutive Hollywood Stars Games at Dodger Stadium.
- An All Around Athlete while in the Army he was Quarterback on the Ft. Ord Football Team, Guard on the Ft. Gordon Basketball team and Shortstop on the Ft. Benjamin Harrison Baseball team
- Was presented The Allen Ludden Humanitarian Award for 2003 by the Motion Picture Mothers. It was presented by former winner Tom Selleck.
- Named 2003 Man of the Year....by The Blind Childrens Center
Quotes
"Individuals win trophies ... teamwork wins championships"
"There are no reasons for failure...just excuses"
Family
- Spouse : Kay Knebes (23 September 1961 - present) 3 children
- 6 children: 4 daughters, twin boys.
- Cousin of actor Michael Gross.
- Cousin of actress Mary Gross.
- Father of actress Kathryn Masak and actor Mike Masak.
Author of the card
- Creation date: 01/07/2003 by abdest











