ACTOR · BORN 1922 · DIED 2016
William Schallert
- Born
- 6 July 1922, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Died
- 8 May 2016
- Known for
- Gremlins (1984), How I Met Your Mother (2005), Singin' in the Rain (1952), True Blood (2008)
26 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
12 Facts From William Schallert's Career
- #001
Schallert said that although he appeared in countless film and television productions over his career, the role that brought him the most recognition was Federation Undersecretary of Agriculture Nilz Baris in the 1967 Star Trek episode 'The Trouble with Tribbles', from the 1966 series. The episode is regarded as one of the most beloved and best-remembered in the Star Trek universe, and Schallert's performance is still fondly remembered by fans of the series. Nilz Baris stands out as a bureaucratic figure at the center of the chaos caused by the cute creatures known as tribbles.
- #002
In high school, Schallert was educated at the same school as Alan Hale Jr., Nanette Fabray and Mickey Rooney, who would later become major Hollywood names. The trio became well-known faces in television and film, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. Schallert's presence at the same school as these figures during the same period shows that he grew up from a young age in a circle close to the entertainment industry. This experience may have laid the groundwork for his later acting career.
- #004
Beyond acting, Schallert also displayed his talents as a composer, pianist and singer. This versatility allowed him to make his mark in different areas of the arts. His interest in music may have given him an advantage in various projects throughout his career. He used these talents especially in his theater and television work.
- #005
The character Martin Lane, whom Schallert played on The Patty Duke Show (1963), ranked 39th on TV Guide's list of the '50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time', published in the magazine's June 20, 2004 issue. The list ranked the most unforgettable father figures in television history, and Martin Lane earned that honor through Schallert's performance. This shows how impressive a father figure he could create as a character actor.
- #007
Along with Warren Kenner, Schallert is one of only two actors who appeared in both the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night and the television series of the same name that began in 1988. This is an interesting detail showing how long and varied his career was. He won praise for his performance in the first film and later returned in the series as a different character.
- #010
In the 1940s, Schallert was a member of the theater company The Group Theatre in Los Angeles. The company was known as the West Coast version of The Actor's Studio in New York and was an important center for acting training. There he took the stage in W. Somerset Maugham's play 'Rain', directed by the famous director Charles Chaplin. This experience helped lay the foundations of his acting career.
- #011
In 1971, Schallert was awarded an OBIE Award for his performance in the play 'The Trial of Catonsville Nine', staged off-Broadway in New York. The OBIE Awards are a prestigious prize given to actors for outstanding performances in off-Broadway theaters. This award confirmed his talent and success in the theater. The play deals with a protest against the Vietnam War.
- #012
For many years, Schallert did voice work in television commercials for the Oscar Meyer brand. He also worked as a skilled voice-over announcer for many different products. In this way he became a voice familiar to television viewers. His voice-over career was as successful and wide-ranging as his acting career.
- #017
Schallert appeared alongside Harry Hamlin in the premiere of the play 'House', staged at the Falcon Theatre in Los Angeles. The play was received with interest by theatergoers and made an important contribution to Schallert's theater career. His chemistry with Harry Hamlin was a factor in the play's success.
- #020
By appearing in The Trouble with Tribbles (1967) and Innerspace (1987), Schallert became one of two actors who appeared both in outer space and in inner space (inside the human body). The other actor is Robert Picardo. This interesting coincidence shows how varied and unusual the projects of his career were.
- #021
Over a career spanning 1947 to 2014, Schallert appeared in nearly 400 productions, making him one of Hollywood's longest-lasting character actors. He successfully portrayed a wide range of characters, from simple peasants to wise father figures to white-collar villains. This diversity demonstrates the breadth of his acting ability.
- #023
Schallert is the only actor to appear in all three of The Twilight Zone (1959), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) and The Twilight Zone (1985). This shows his special connection to the legendary series. Appearing in three different versions across three different eras proves how long and varied his career was.
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