Michael Keenan obit

Michael Keenan Dies: ‘Picket Fences’, ‘Dallas’ Actor Was 80

 

He was not on the list.

Michael Keenan, an actor who played Mayor Bill Pugen on CBS 1990s series Picket Fences and Baron van Swieten in the 1999 Broadway revival of Amadeus, died April 30 at the Motion Picture & Television Fund Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, CA from non-COVID natural causes.

His death was announced by his family and the USC School of Dramatic Arts, where Keenan was a faculty member for more than 25 years. A noted actor and director on the regional theater circuit, Keenan performed in more than 100 productions for theater companies including South Coast Repertory, Seattle Repertory Theatre, the San Diego Shakespeare Festival, and, in Los Angeles, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum and Taper, Too.

As a director, Keenan staged works at the Old Globe Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, the Asolo State Theatre, Occidental College, and L.A.’s Tiffany Theater.

His many TV credits include appearances on Starsky and Hutch, Alice, WKRP in Cincinnati, Hill St. Blues and St. Elsewhere, with recurring roles on Picket Fences, Dallas and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

A faculty member at USC’s School of Dramatic Arts, Keenan directed plays there from 1987 to 2015. “With his inimitable combination of technical brilliance, artistic perception, and dry wit, Michael Keenan inspired legions of students as a studio teacher and, perhaps most poignantly, as a stage director,” said David Bridel, dean of the USC School of Dramatic Arts. “He had a particular gift – based on his own illustrious acting career – in staging high comedies, including the works of authors such as Oscar Wilde and Georges Feydeau: fiendishly difficult to accomplish with students, but always impeccable in Michael’s seasoned and gifted hands. His kindness, wisdom, humility and loyalty will long be remembered among his colleagues and collaborators. He was, quite simply, a wonderful man.”

Keenan is survived by sisters-in-law Diana, Sally and Jan and eight nieces and nephews. Due to coronavirus restrictions, a memorial will be scheduled at a later date. 

 

Actor

Gloves (2016)

Gloves

8.1

Short

Happy

2016

 

Chase Williamson, Joe Sofranko, Alex Skinner, Lili Fuller, Ben Sidell, and Lizzie Fabie in Complete Works (2014)

Complete Works

7.8

TV Series

Damien George

2014

5 episodes

 

Vicariously

7.1

TV Series

Elderly Gentleman

2009

1 episode

 

Walkout (2006)

Walkout

6.7

TV Movie

J.C. Chambers

2006

 

Jade Empire (2005)

Jade Empire

8.4

Video Game

Mad Wen Zhi

Scholar Gu

Additional Voices (voice)

2005

 

EverQuest II (2004)

EverQuest II

7.0

Video Game

Fredrick Losce

Kinamer Galemaul (voice)

2004

 

Century City (2004)

Century City

6.7

TV Series

Judge

2004

1 episode

 

The District (2000)

The District

7.2

TV Series

Supreme Court Judge

2002

1 episode

 

John Cho, Jason George, Sean Maguire, Lauren Stamile, and Eddie Kaye Thomas in Off Centre (2001)

Off Centre

7.7

TV Series

Man

2001

1 episode

 

Earth vs. the Spider (2001)

Earth vs. the Spider

4.3

TV Movie

Willie

2001

 

Circuit (2001)

Circuit

5.6

Police Captain

2001

 

Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in Nash Bridges (1996)

Nash Bridges

6.8

TV Series

Ron Sekora

2001

1 episode

 

Sabrina Lloyd, Jerry O'Connell, Cleavant Derricks, and John Rhys-Davies in Sliders (1995)

Sliders

7.4

TV Series

George

1999

1 episode

 

Nancy Cartwright, Christine Cavanaugh, Tara Strong, Cheryl Chase, Elizabeth Daily, Dionne Quan, Kath Soucie, and Cree Summer in Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats

7.4

TV Series

Professor

Conan McNulty (voice)

1998–1999

2 episodes

 

Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell, Colm Meaney, Nana Visitor, Avery Brooks, Armin Shimerman, Rene Auberjonois, and Alexander Siddig in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

8.1

TV Series

Patrick

1997–1998

2 episodes

 

Robert Davi and Ally Walker in Profiler (1996)

Profiler

7.2

TV Series

Judge Freed

1998

1 episode

 

Johnny Bravo (1997)

Johnny Bravo

7.2

TV Series

Waiter

Cop #2 (voice)

1997

1 episode

 

Joey Lawrence, Andrew Lawrence, and Matthew Lawrence in Brotherly Love (1995)

Brotherly Love

7.1

TV Series

The Announcer

1997

1 episode

 

Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

6.7

TV Series

Lawrence Rankin (uncredited)

1997

1 episode

 

Christine Cavanaugh, Charlie Adler, and David Eccles in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994)

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

7.2

TV Series

Capulet

Puppeteer

Zeke (voice) ...

1994–1996

3 episodes

 

Robert Beltran, Jennifer Lien, Robert Duncan McNeill, Kate Mulgrew, Robert Picardo, Jeri Ryan, Roxann Dawson, Ethan Phillips, Tim Russ, and Garrett Wang in Star Trek: Voyager (1995)

Star Trek: Voyager

7.9

TV Series

Hrothgar

1995

1 episode

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

Maturin

1994

1 episode

 

Picket Fences (1992)

Picket Fences

7.8

TV Series

Bill Pugen

Mayor Bill Pugen

1992–1993

15 episodes

 

Tawny Kitaen, Frank Bonner, Gordon Jump, Marla Rubinoff, Richard Sanders, French Stewart, and Mykelti Williamson in The New WKRP in Cincinnati (1991)

The New WKRP in Cincinnati

5.6

TV Series

Reverend Little Ed Pembrook

1991

1 episode

 

Ted Danson, Shelley Long, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Nicholas Colasanto, and Rhea Perlman in Cheers (1982)

Cheers

8.0

TV Series

Dr. Eugene Eckworth

1990

1 episode

 

Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, and Steve Kanaly in Dallas (1978)

Dallas

7.1

TV Series

Keller

1990

5 episodes

 

Freddy's Nightmares (1988)

Freddy's Nightmares

6.2

TV Series

Mr. Smithers (as Michael P. Keenan)

1989

1 episode

 

L.A. Law (1986)

L.A. Law

7.1

TV Series

Dr. Shale (as Michael P. Keenan)

1988

1 episode

 

Denzel Washington, Ed Begley Jr., David Morse, Howie Mandel, Cynthia Sikes, Ellen Bry, William Daniels, and Ed Flanders in St. Elsewhere (1982)

St. Elsewhere

8.0

TV Series

Headmaster - Dr. Lindstrom (as Michael P. Keenan)

1988

1 episode

 

Robert Clohessy, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz in Hill Street Blues (1981)

Hill Street Blues

8.2

TV Series

Dr. Mendelsohn (as Michael P. Keenan)

1986

1 episode

 

Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele (1982)

Remington Steele

7.3

TV Series

SWAT Captain

1985

1 episode

 

Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker in Simon & Simon (1981)

Simon & Simon

7.0

TV Series

Police Magistrate

1984

1 episode

 

CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984)

CBS Schoolbreak Special

6.8

TV Series

1984

1 episode

 

Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story (1982)

Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story

6.8

TV Movie

Dr. Hallinan

1982

 

Catherine Bach, Ben Jones, Denver Pyle, John Schneider, and Tom Wopat in The Dukes of Hazzard (1979)

The Dukes of Hazzard

7.1

TV Series

Rayford Flicker

1982

1 episode

 

Redd Foxx in Sanford (1980)

Sanford

6.7

TV Series

Prosecuting Attorney

1981

1 episode

 

Jim Baker, Joyce Bulifant, Leo Burmester, Polly Holliday, Stephen Keep Mills, and Geoffrey Lewis in Flo (1980)

Flo

5.6

TV Series

Sim Lowman

1981

2 episodes

 

The Cheap Detective

7.8

TV Movie

Arloe Fairweather

1980

 

"WKRP In Cincinnati" Bottom Row,Jan Smithers,Loni Anderson,Howard Hesseman, Second Row,Frank Bonner,Gary Sandy,Tim Reid, Top Row,Richard Sanders,Gordon Jump Gary Sandy,

WKRP in Cincinnati

8.0

TV Series

Rev. Little Ed Pembrook

1979

1 episode

 

Polly Holliday, Beth Howland, and Linda Lavin in Alice (1976)

Alice

6.8

TV Series

Customer #1

TV Announcer

Customer ...

1977–1979

4 episodes

 

Lucan (1977)

Lucan

7.3

TV Series

Gheorghi

1977

1 episode

 

Jack Klugman in Quincy M.E. (1976)

Quincy M.E.

7.3

TV Series

Man

1977

2 episodes

 

Starsky and Hutch (1975)

Starsky and Hutch

7.0

TV Series

De Meo

1977

1 episode

 

Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, and Arnold the Piggy in Green Acres (1965)

Green Acres

7.3

TV Series

3rd German (as Michael P. Keenan)

1971

1 episode

 

Producer

Flock of Four (2017)

Flock of Four

6.2

co-producer

2017