Tony Swartz obit

Russell Anthony “Tony” Swartz has died.

 

He was not on the list.

Tony (Russell A.) Swartz, 73, died on Sept. 27, 2016 from complications due to a lung biopsy done in May of this year.
Tony had many roles in life, but he will be most fondly remembered for those of husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Helen; daughter, Kathryn; son-in-law, Nick Rees; and brother, Dan Swartz. He is preceded in death by father, Russell H.; mother, Elaine M. (Pickrel); and sisters, Suzanne Behal and Judie Lester.
Tony was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa and a graduate of New York University School of the Arts, with BFA and MFA degrees. From there he pursued an acting career in theatre and television. He was a member of Screen Actor’s Guild and Actors’ Equity Association. His numerous theater credits include productions with The Tyrone Guthrie Repertory company in Minneapolis; Broadway and off-Broadway shows in New York; and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. His television credits include roles in “The Golden Girls,” “Kojak,” “James Michener’s Dynasty,” and, most notably, a series regular role as Flight Sergeant Jolly on 1978’s “Battlestar Galactica.” He appeared in the feature films “Lover Boy,” “Xanadu,” and “Won Ton Ton,” among others.
In 1989, Tony relocated with his family to Omaha, Neb., and moved behind the camera as a producer, director and editor for clients such as ABC/Tokyo productions and The Americana Television Network. He worked on many television commercials, industrials for Paramount Studios’ Boy Scout/Cub Scout Home Video Library and Union-Pacific Railroad, music videos for new-age artist Mannheim Steamroller, and behind the scenes on locally filmed movies “Election” and “About Schmidt.”
Tony was an avid reader, history buff, New York Times crossword fiend, and accomplished chef. We will dearly miss him (as well as his cooking).
His passing leaves a hole in our hearts. He was beloved.
Cremation Society of Kansas & Missouri.