Charles Dierkop

Charles Dierkop
Born
Charles Richard Dierkop

(1936-09-11)September 11, 1936
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedFebruary 25, 2024(2024-02-25) (aged 87)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1961–2016
Spouse
Joan Addis
​
​
(m. 1958; div. 1974)​
Children2

Charles Richard Dierkop (September 11, 1936 – February 25, 2024) was an American character actor. He is most recognized for his supporting roles in the films Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973) and the television series Police Woman (1974-1978).

Early years

Dierkop was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and attended Aquinas High School[1] in La Crosse. He was raised by his aunt and uncle after his father left when Dierkop was an infant and his mother "left home when he was still a tot".[2]

Military service

Dierkop dropped out of high school after his junior year and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.[3] He served in Korea during the Korean War and was discharged from the Marine Corps at age 19. Upon his return, he lived with his mother in Philadelphia, and with the help of the G.I. Bill, he enrolled in the American Foundation of Dramatic Arts in Philadelphia.[2]

Career

Dierkop was a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. His first role as a professional actor was in television's Naked City.[2]

Dierkop was cast in two George Roy Hill films, and played an outlaw both times — as "Flat Nose Curry" in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), he played a member of the Hole in the Wall Gang,[4] and as "Floyd" in The Sting (1973), he acted as a bodyguard with Lee Paul to Robert Shaw's New York gangster/griftee, Doyle Lonnegan.[5] He is best known for playing Detective Pete Royster on the television series Police Woman between 1974 and 1978.[6]

Dierkop appears briefly in the music video of "Man on the Moon", a hit song by the American alternative rock band R.E.M.[7]

Personal life and death

Dierkop was married to Joan Addis from 1958 to 1974. They had a daughter, Lynn, and a son.[1][8]

On February 25, 2024, Dierkop died at the age of 87 from complications of pneumonia and a heart attack at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles.[9][8]

Partial filmography

Television credits

Further reading

  • Aquinas News, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin, September 18, 1975, vol. 45, no. 2, pg. 1, "Former Aquinite is TV Star"
  • Aquinas News, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin, September 2, 1978, Special 50th Anniversary edition, pg. 12, "Former Aquinite has his name in lights", Sue Schmidt, class of 1978.

References

  1. ^ a b Lienlokken, Marguerite (March 30, 1968). "Charles Dierkop, TV 'Baddie' Is Visiting His Hometown". La Crosse Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved August 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c Martin, Bob (April 18, 1976). "'Police Woman' actor finds dad--after 39 years". Independent Press-Telegram. Long Beach, Calif. p. TeleViews 1. Retrieved August 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Goolsby, Denise (November 10, 2016). "WWII vet fought in four battles, earned Bronze Star". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs, Calif. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  4. ^ "Flat Nose Curry in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' 'Memba Him?!". TMZ. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  5. ^ Eagan, Daniel (November 26, 2009). America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 2027. ISBN 978-1-4411-7541-0.
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland. p. 844. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0.
  7. ^ Charles Dierkop cameo (3min 28sec) (September 13, 2017). R.E.M. - Man On The Moon (Official Music Video) (Motion picture / Music video). REMHQ - R.E.M.'s Official YouTube Channel. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Rice, Lynette (February 28, 2024). "Charles Dierkop Dies: 'The Sting', 'Butch Cassidy' & 'Police Woman' Actor Was 87". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  9. ^ Barnes, Mike (February 26, 2024). "Charles Dierkop, Actor in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,' 'The Sting' and 'Police Woman,' Dies at 87". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2024.