Terry Rhoads, “Denver’s leading man,” dies at 61
Terry Rhoads may have moved on from Denver years ago, but his impact on Colorado theater was enduring.
Rhoads played the leading man at dozens of Country Dinner Playhouse shows. He was the undisputed star for much of producer Bill McHale’s heyday in the 1980s before moving on to a significant career in TV, music, film and commercials in California. Last year, he appeared in the Anthony Hopkins film “Hitchcock,” as Jack Russell.
Rhoads died yesterday of amyloidosis, a rare disease of unknown cause. It occurs when an abnormal protein produced by cells in your bone marrow builds up in your organs and tissue. He was 61.
His wife, actor Lise Simms, is telling friends that Rhoads’ transition was beautiful, “and to celebrate his life.” They lived together in Encino, Calif.
“We lost an amazing talent and spirit today,” said fellow Country Dinner Playhouse actor Patty Holland-Trout.
Rhoads started with Bill Oakley’s melodrama ensemble at the former Heritage Square Opera House and came to the Country Dinner Playhouse as a Barnstormer — the actor-waiters who performed the musical pre-show. He starred in shows like “Fiddler on the Roof” and dozens more. He also starred in shows at Boulder’s Dinner Theatre.
Terry played the leading role in the short-lived sitcom “Living in Captivity” and was the host of HGTV’s “Desperate Spaces.” He appeared in TV shows including “Murphy Brown,” “Seinfeld,” “Party of Five,” “7th Heaven,” “The Norm Show,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Friends” “Yes, Dear,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Ally McBeal,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Navy NCIS,” “Phil of the Future,” “House M.D.,” “What I Like About You,” “Two and a Half Men,” “Hannah Montana,” “Bones” and others.
Rhoads made a career of playing supporting roles in California, but here he was Denver’s leading man.
“Even when he had a small role, like when he played Sonny in ‘Grease,’ he made it big,” said fellow actor Brian Smith, who remembers Rhoads as a devoted Broncos fan who was so nervous during games that he could never sit down.
“He was the only actor I know who Bill McHale ever let ad lib,” Smith said, “because he knew he could control it.”
Rhoads was born Dec. 31, 1951, in Phoenix and graduated from Central High School in Scottsdale. He is the father of a son, Tony, and daughter, Sarah.
Smith remembers among Rhoads’ many highlights was starring in “They’re Playing Our Song,” opposite his wife, and as Ali Hakim in “Oklahoma.”
“But he was amazing in ‘Me and My Girl,’ ” Smith said. “It just became a one-man show show. He was hilarious one moment and tearing your heart out the next. Everything he did was perfect.”
Last year, Rhoads appeared on an episode of the TV Series “Better with You,” and appeared in seven episodes of “Better Off Ted” (as Chet). He released a CD of songs titled “Lean.”
Rhoads returned to Colorado in 2008 to join more than 170 former actors, artisans and loyal customers of the Country Dinner Playhouse. Attendees came all the way from Spain for an emotional reunion that spanned all 37 years of the barn’s storied history.
Actor (73 credits)
1996-2017 Ned and Stacey (TV Series)
Mr. Pace / Ray
- The Skyward's the Limit (2017) ... Mr. Pace
- Loganberry's Run (1996) ... Ray
2012 Hitchcock
Jack Russell
2011 Pizza Man
Professor Marsley
2011 Better with You (TV Series)
Gerard
- Better with a Bargain (2011) ... Gerard
2009-2010 Better Off Ted (TV Series)
Chet
- Swag the Dog (2010) ... Chet
- It's a Party and I'll Lie If I Want To (2010) ... Chet
- The Long and Winding High Road (2010) ... Chet
- Battle of the Bulbs (2009) ... Chet
- The Lawyer, the Lemur and the Little Listener (2009) ... Chet
2009 Dance Flick
Audition Judge
2008-2009 Hannah Montana (TV Series)
Mack
- Welcome to the Bungle (2009) ... Mack
- He Ain't a Hottie, He's My Brother (2008) ... Mack
2008 Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control (Video)
Maitre D'
2008 Notes from the Underbelly (TV Series)
Tour Bus Driver
- Friends and Neighbors (2008) ... Tour Bus Driver
2007 Bones (TV Series)
Dr. Potoska
- Mummy in the Maze (2007) ... Dr. Potoska
2007 Cold Case (TV Series)
Martin Reed
- Stalker (2007) ... Martin Reed
2007 Andy Barker, P.I. (TV Series)
Tom Larivee
- Three Days of the Chicken (2007) ... Tom Larivee
2006 TV: The Movie
Doctor / Interventionist
2006 Desperate Housewives (TV Series)
Howard Keck
- Like It Was (2006) ... Howard Keck
2006 House (TV Series)
Artie
- Meaning (2006) ... Artie (uncredited)
2006 What About Brian (TV Series)
Dr. Vincent Oscar
- Moving Day (2006) ... Dr. Vincent Oscar
- Two in Twenty-Four (2006) ... Dr. Vincent Oscar
2001-2006 Malcolm in the Middle (TV Series)
Supervisor / Sheriff Chad
- Stevie in the Hospital (2006) ... Supervisor
- Malcolm's Girlfriend (2001) ... Sheriff Chad
2006 Still Standing (TV Series)
Dr. Holman
- Still Bad (2006) ... Dr. Holman
2004-2005 Phil of the Future (TV Series)
Mayor Da Luca
- Team Diffy (2005) ... Mayor Da Luca
- Neander-Phil (2004) ... Mayor Da Luca
2005 Death by Engagement
Vic Lord
2005 American Gun
Ed Hogan
2005 Life on a Stick (TV Series)
Herr Schmidt
- The Defiant Ones (2005) ... Herr Schmidt
2001-2005 That '70s Show (TV Series)
Dr. Don / Border Guard
- Gimme Shelter (2005) ... Dr. Don
- Canadian Road Trip (2001) ... Border Guard
2004 Center of the Universe (TV Series)
Dr. Foster
- Lily's Boyfriend (2004) ... Dr. Foster
2004 Joey (TV Series)
Jerry
- Joey and the Roadtrip (2004) ... Jerry
2004 Two and a Half Men (TV Series)
Dr. Andrew Sperlock
- Can You Feel My Finger (2004) ... Dr. Andrew Sperlock
2004 The Day After Tomorrow
L.A. Anchorman
2004 Significant Others (TV Series)
Rick
- Intercourse, an Official Gathering & a Big Fat Lie (2004) ... Rick
- A Dad, an Affair & a Blind Date (2004) ... Rick
2004 NCIS (TV Series)
Captain Brent Peters
- My Other Left Foot (2004) ... Captain Brent Peters
2003 Good Morning, Miami (TV Series)
Howie
- Her Place or Mine? (2003) ... Howie
2003 What I Like About You (TV Series)
Jay Miller
- The Loft (2003) ... Jay Miller
2003 The Parkers (TV Series)
Reginald
- A Plot of View (2003) ... Reginald
2002-2003 My Wife and Kids (TV Series)
Dr. Mason
- Sharon's Picture (2003) ... Dr. Mason
- Open Your Heart (2002) ... Dr. Mason
2003 Mister Sterling (TV Series)
Evan Dudley
- Sins of the Father (2003) ... Evan Dudley
2002 Hidden Hills (TV Series)
Shmuck Husband
- Pilot (2002) ... Shmuck Husband
2001-2002 Dharma & Greg (TV Series)
Howard / Kevin
- It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's... My Wife (2002) ... Howard
- Near-Death of a Salesman (2002) ... Howard
- With a Little Help from My Friend (2001) ... Kevin
2001 Ally McBeal (TV Series)
Mr. Furnwall
- I Want Love (2001) ... Mr. Furnwall
2001 Sabrina the Teenage Witch (TV Series)
Dick
- Finally! (2001) ... Dick
1998-2001 3rd Rock from the Sun (TV Series)
Salesman / Bill
- Glengarry Glen Dick (2001) ... Salesman
- Auto Erodicka (1998) ... Bill
2001 The Huntress (TV Series)
Larry
- Family Therapy (2001) ... Larry
2001 Nikki (TV Series)
Frank
- Bottoms Up (2001) ... Frank
2000 Yes, Dear (TV Series)
Lawyer
- All I Want for Christmas Is My Dead Uncle's Cash (2000) ... Lawyer
2000 Friends (TV Series)
the Maitre D'
- The One with the Holiday Armadillo (2000) ... the Maitre D'
2000 The Trouble with Normal (TV Series)
Moderator
- Speech! Speech! (2000) ... Moderator
2000 Action (TV Series)
Guy
- The Last Ride of the Elephant Princess (2000) ... Guy
2000 Just Shoot Me! (TV Series)
Dean Logan
- Blinded by the Right (2000) ... Dean Logan
1999 The Drew Carey Show (TV Series)
Doctor
- Drew's Stomachache (1999) ... Doctor
1999 It's Like, You Know... (TV Series)
Interviewer
- Enchanted April (1999) ... Interviewer
1999 The Omega Code
Reporter Matthews
1999 Norm (TV Series)
Frank
- The New Boss (1999) ... Frank
1998 Living in Captivity (TV Series)
Gordon
- Boogie Heights (1998) ... Gordon
- Put on a Happy Face (1998) ... Gordon
- The Alba Wars (1998) ... Gordon
- Safe & Sound (1998) ... Gordon
- The Unkindest Cut (1998) ... Gordon
Show all 8 episodes
1998 Living Out Loud
Bill, Across Hall Man
1998 Style & Substance (TV Series)
Stan
- Office Management for Beginners (1998) ... Stan
1998 7th Heaven (TV Series)
Kevin
- It Takes a Village (1998) ... Kevin
1998 Party of Five (TV Series)
Assessor
- I Give Up (1998) ... Assessor
1998 Alright Already (TV Series)
Jim
- Again with the Satellite Dish (1998) ... Jim
1997 Night Stand (TV Series)
Dr. Denton
- Mercy Killing (1997) ... Dr. Denton
1997 Jenny (TV Series)
Plastic Surgeon
- A Girl's Gotta Love a Wedding (1997) ... Plastic Surgeon
1997 The Parent 'Hood (TV Series)
Hugh Wheeler
- Bad Rap (1997) ... Hugh Wheeler
1997 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Assistant D.A.
1997 Cybill (TV Series)
Jeremy Ball
- How to Get a Head in Show Business (1997) ... Jeremy Ball
1997 Caroline in the City (TV Series)
Chauffeur
- Caroline and the Reception (1997) ... Chauffeur
1997 Seinfeld (TV Series)
Father
- The Nap (1997) ... Father
1997 Liar Liar
Co-Pilot
1996 NewsRadio (TV Series)
Roger
- Christmas (1996) ... Roger
1996 Men Behaving Badly (TV Series)
Owner
- Jamie's in Love (1996) ... Owner
1996 Murphy Brown (TV Series)
Alexander Operative
- The Bus Stops Here (1996) ... Alexander Operative
1995 Grace Under Fire (TV Series)
TV Announcer #1
- Grace Really Under Fire (1995) ... TV Announcer #1
1995 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV Series)
Maitre'd
- Speechless (1995) ... Maitre'd
1995 Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (TV Movie)
Robert Taylor
1992 Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (TV Movie)
Escort / Eddie
1991 Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (TV Movie)
Lance
1987 Prison for Children (TV Movie)
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