Robert Mandan, the Womanizing Chester Tate on ‘Soap,’ Dies at 86
Robert Mandan, the veteran television actor who starred as Chester Tate, the philandering husband of Katherine Helmond's character, on the ABC sitcom 'Soap,' has died. He was 86.
He was not on the list.
Robert Mandan, the veteran television actor who starred as Chester Tate, the philandering husband of Katherine Helmond’s character, on the ABC daytime-serial spoof Soap, has died. He was 86.
Mandan died April 29 in Los Angeles after a long illness, his friend, playwright and screenwriter Gary Goldstein, told The Hollywood Reporter. Mandan starred in Goldstein’s first play, Just Men, at the Stella Adler Theater in Hollywood in 1996.
Mandan, who often played suits and white-collar types during his long career, also portrayed the wealthy investment banker James Bradford at the end of ABC’s Three’s Company and on its 1984-85 spinoff, Three’s a Crowd.
Mandan also was the bombastic Col. Lawrence Fielding on the CBS adaptation of Private Benjamin, and his doctor character married Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) on NBC’s The Facts of Life and whisked her away to the Peace Corps.
Mandan had worked on such soap operas as The Edge of Night, From These Roots and Search for Tomorrow when he was hired to play Chester, a conniving Wall Street stock broker, on Soap.
Susan Harris created the sitcom, which aired for four seasons, from 1977-81, and spawned the Robert Guillaume-starring Benson. The show, always a critical darling, was a top 10 hit in its first season but suffered in the ratings as it was moved around the schedule.
Mandan and Helmond reunited for two episodes of her next series, Who’s the Boss?, and for a 2002 production of A Twilight Romance at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. He also returned to the soap opera world with gigs on Santa Barbara, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital.
His other notable TV work included playing an unctuous attorney on All in the Family and a homosexual friend of Bea Arthur’s character on Maude, and he appeared on Sanford and Son, Barney Miller, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Married … With Children as well.
A native of Clever, Missouri, Mandan grew up in Southern California and majored in theater at Pomona College. He got a big break when veteran actor Edward Arnold pushed for him to star alongside him in a production of All My Sons in Palm Springs.
Mandan made his Broadway debut in 1956 in Speaking of Murder, directed by Delbert Mann, and he worked with Lauren Bacall in the original 1970 production of the Betty Comden-Adolph Green musical Applause.
On the big screen, Mandan played a senator in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and appeared in other films including Hickey & Boggs (1972), MacArthur (1977) and, as a principal, in Zapped! (1982).
He did lots of local theater late in his career, Goldstein noted.
Survivors include his wife, Sherry.
Actor (120 credits)
2014 Our Man in Madras (Short)
HB
2010 Hunter and Prayer (Short)
Jerome
2006 General Hospital (TV Series)
Judge Bryant
- Episode #1.11185 (2006) ... Judge Bryant
2004 Stanley Marshall's Myth (Short)
Chris
2002 ER (TV Series)
John Doe
- Tell Me Where It Hurts (2002) ... John Doe
2002 The Face of the Hero (TV Short)
Narrator
2001 Teddy Bears' Picnic
Stanton Vandermint
2001 Judging Amy (TV Series)
Dr. Wendice
- 8 1/2 Narrow (2001) ... Dr. Wendice
2000 Family Law (TV Series)
Roger Dunbar
- A Mother's Son (2000) ... Roger Dunbar
1999 HBO First Look: The Making of the End of the Affair (TV Short)
Narrator
1999 Behind the Passion (TV Movie)
Narrator (voice)
1997-1998 Days of Our Lives (TV Series)
Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
- Episode #1.8426 (1998) ... Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
- Episode #1.8415 (1998) ... Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
- Episode #1.8413 (1998) ... Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
- Episode #1.8410 (1998) ... Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
- Episode #1.8408 (1998) ... Steven 'Jonesy' Jones
1998 Weird Science (TV Series)
Principal Farber
- School Spirits (1998) ... Principal Farber
1997 The MatchMaker
McGlory Senior
1995-1997 Sherman Oaks (TV Series)
Fred / Mr. Duckworth
- Sanford's Crisis (1997) ... Fred
- Killer Breasts (1995) ... Mr. Duckworth
1996 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Legacy of Fear (TV Movie)
Narrator
1995 Fast Track (TV Movie)
Narrator
1995 Lights, Camera, Magic (TV Movie)
Narrator
1995 Burke's Law (TV Series)
Arlen Dooley
- Who Killed Cock-a-Doodle Dooley? (1995) ... Arlen Dooley
1994 Sisters (TV Series)
Governor Musgrove
- Heroes (1994) ... Governor Musgrove
1994/II Last Resort (Video)
Hemlock
1994 Married... with Children (TV Series)
Walter Traugott
- The D'Arcy Files (1994) ... Walter Traugott
1993 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series)
Kotan Pa'Dar
- Cardassians (1993) ... Kotan Pa'Dar
1993 Delta (TV Series)
Sid Broder
- Red Hot Mama (1993) ... Sid Broder
1992 The Nutt House
Mr. Henderson
1992 Intruders (TV Series)
Dr. Stanley Epstein
- Episode #1.2 (1992) ... Dr. Stanley Epstein
- Episode #1.1 (1992) ... Dr. Stanley Epstein
1991-1992 Who's the Boss? (TV Series)
Reed Hamilton
- Tony, Can You Spare a Dime? (1992) ... Reed Hamilton
- Tony Bags a Big One (1991) ... Reed Hamilton
1992 Pacific Station (TV Series)
Bill DuPont
- My Favorite Dad (1992) ... Bill DuPont
1991 The New WKRP in Cincinnati (TV Series)
McKenzie Ballard
- The Cincinnati Kids (1991) ... McKenzie Ballard
1990-1991 Santa Barbara (TV Series)
Maxwell Hammer
- Episode #1.1643 (1991) ... Maxwell Hammer
- Episode #1.1639 (1991) ... Maxwell Hammer
- Episode #1.1631 (1991) ... Maxwell Hammer
- Episode #1.1604 (1990) ... Maxwell Hammer
- Episode #1.1603 (1990) ... Maxwell Hammer
Show all 13 episodes
1990 Dr. Ruth's House (TV Movie)
Dean Richard Gordon
1990 My Two Dads (TV Series)
Louis J. Frazier
- You Only Surprise the Ones You Love (1990) ... Louis J. Frazier
1990 The Golden Girls (TV Series)
Steven
- Great Expectations (1990) ... Steven
1989 Mama's Family (TV Series)
Leslie LaMoyne
- Tri-State's Most Wanted (1989) ... Leslie LaMoyne
1989 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Irving Randolph
- Three Strikes, You're Out (1989) ... Irving Randolph
1987 Foofur (TV Series)
- Annabell Gets Framed/Scary Harry (1987) ... (voice)
- Look Homeward, Foofur (1987) ... (voice)
- Fencer Gets Soul/You Bet Your Life (1987) ... (voice)
- Rocki's Big Fib/Bye, Bye, Birdie (1987) ... (voice)
- Annabell Goes Punk/Puppy Love (1987) ... (voice)
1987 Dolly (TV Series)
Mr. Edgar Fullbright
- A Down Home Country Christmas (1987) ... Mr. Edgar Fullbright
1987 Hotel (TV Series)
Edward Nicholson
- Past Tense (1987) ... Edward Nicholson
1987 You Are the Jury (TV Series)
Peter Farley
- The State of Oregon vs. Stanley Manning (1987) ... Peter Farley
1987 Stingray (TV Series)
Captain Redler
- Caper (1987) ... Captain Redler
1978-1987 The Love Boat (TV Series)
Robert Mandan / Ernie Ryan / Jim White / ...
- Who Killed Maxwell Thorn? (1987) ... Robert Mandan
- The Father of the Bride/The Best Man/Members of the Wedding (1986) ... Ernie Ryan
- The Anniversary Gift/Honey Bee Mine/Bewigged, Bothered and Bewildered (1982) ... Jim White
- The Return of the Captain's Lady/Love Ain't Illegal/The Irresistible Man (1982) ... Irwin Budge
- Second Chance/Don't Push Me/Like Father, Like Son (1979) ... Woody Billingsley
1987 Matlock (TV Series)
General Connors
- The Court-Martial: Part 2 (1987) ... General Connors
- The Court-Martial: Part 1 (1987) ... General Connors
1987 Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love (TV Movie)
Dr. Michaels
1986 Here to Stay (TV Movie)
1986 Highway to Heaven (TV Series)
Frank Kelly
- Love and Marriage: Part 2 (1986) ... Frank Kelly
- Love and Marriage: Part 1 (1986) ... Frank Kelly
1986 The Facts of Life (TV Series)
Dr. Bruce Gaines
- Out of Peekskill: Part 2 (1986) ... Dr. Bruce Gaines
- Out of Peekskill: Part 1 (1986) ... Dr. Bruce Gaines
1984-1985 Three's a Crowd (TV Series)
James Bradford
- A Star Is Born (1985) ... James Bradford
- Jack Gets Trashed (1985) ... James Bradford
- King for a Day (1985) ... James Bradford
- The New Mr. Bradford (1985) ... James Bradford
- Deeds of Trust (1985) ... James Bradford
1984 E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind
Earl The Bartender
1984 Three's Company (TV Series)
James Bradford
- Friends and Lovers: Part 2 (1984) ... James Bradford
- Friends and Lovers: Part 1 (1984) ... James Bradford
- Cupid Works Overtime (1984) ... James Bradford
1984 The Outlaws (TV Movie)
Nicholas Zotanis
1983 Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series)
Dr. J.D. Everett
- All About Everett (1983) ... Dr. J.D. Everett
1983 For Members Only (TV Movie)
Austin Ruggles
1982-1983 Private Benjamin (TV Series)
Col. Lawrence Fielding
- Judy's Cousin (1983) ... Col. Lawrence Fielding
- Take My Mother, Please (1983) ... Col. Lawrence Fielding
- Sacred Land (1982) ... Col. Lawrence Fielding
- Tank's Soldier (1982) ... Col. Lawrence Fielding
- The Talent Show (1982) ... Col. Lawrence Fielding
1982 In Love with an Older Woman (TV Movie)
Senator Strickland
1982 Zapped!
Walter J. Coolidge
1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Senator Wingwood
1982 Too Close for Comfort (TV Series)
Bill Rush
- Brotherly Hate (1982) ... Bill Rush
1980-1982 Fantasy Island (TV Series)
King Arthur / Captain Rosicker
- King Arthur in Mr. Roarke's Court/Shadow Games (1982) ... King Arthur
- Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns (1980) ... Captain Rosicker
1981 Today's F.B.I. (TV Series)
Barton
- Charleston Case (1981) ... Barton
1981 Mr. Merlin (TV Series)
Robert Denbark
- The Music's in Me (1981) ... Robert Denbark
1981 Return of the Rebels (TV Movie)
Big Al Williams
1977-1981 Soap (TV Series)
Chester Tate
- Episode #4.16 (1981) ... Chester Tate
- Episode #4.15 (1981) ... Chester Tate
- Episode #4.14 (1981) ... Chester Tate
- Episode #4.13 (1981) ... Chester Tate
- Episode #4.12 (1981) ... Chester Tate
1981 Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood (TV Movie)
Jack Fountain
1979-1980 CHiPs (TV Series)
Robert Mandan
- The Great 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap Party: Part 2 (1980) ... Robert Mandan (uncredited)
- Roller Disco: Part 2 (1979) ... Robert Mandan (uncredited)
1979 You Can't Take It with You (TV Movie)
Anthony Kirby
1979 Sweepstakes (TV Series)
- Cowboy, Linda and Angie, Mark (1979)
1979 Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV Series)
King Xerxes
- The Story of Esther (1979) ... King Xerxes
1978 Vega$ (TV Series)
Lou Smith
- Love, Laugh and Die (1978) ... Lou Smith
1975-1977 Barnaby Jones (TV Series)
Godfrey Wilder / College Dean Raymond Carson / Rex Turner
- Prisoner of Deceit (1977) ... Godfrey Wilder
- The Killer on Campus (1977) ... College Dean Raymond Carson
- Counterfall (1975) ... Rex Turner
1976-1977 Kingston: Confidential (TV Series)
Harold Tamburi / Senator Hobath
- Monolith (1977) ... Harold Tamburi
- Kingston (1976) ... Senator Hobath
1977 MacArthur
Representative Martin
1977 Hunter (TV Series)
Maklin
- The Barking Dog (1977) ... Maklin
1976-1977 Police Story (TV Series)
Captain Saunders / Deputy Chief Henry Burns
- Hard Rock Brown (1977) ... Captain Saunders
- The Jar: Part 2 (1976) ... Deputy Chief Henry Burns
1977 Delvecchio (TV Series)
Zefferilli
- Dying Can Be a Pleasure (1977) ... Zefferilli
1977 Phyllis (TV Series)
Larry Waterman
- Phyllis Runs the Office (1977) ... Larry Waterman
1976 Most Wanted (TV Series)
Fred Watson
- The Skykiller (1976) ... Fred Watson
1976 The Tony Randall Show (TV Series)
Lionel Crenshaw
- Pilot (1976) ... Lionel Crenshaw
1972-1976 Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series)
Tom Camlin / Alex
- Aspects of Love (1976) ... Tom Camlin
- All the Pretty People (1972) ... Alex
1976 Sara (TV Series)
Clarkson
- Bright Boy (1976) ... Clarkson
1976 The Rockford Files (TV Series)
Charles Blackhorn
- Where's Houston? (1976) ... Charles Blackhorn
1976 Doc (TV Series)
Fitzgibbons
- Great Expectations (1976) ... Fitzgibbons
1975-1976 Medical Story (TV Series)
Dr. Burns
- The Quality of Mercy (1976) ... Dr. Burns
- The Right to Die (1975)
1976 One Day at a Time (TV Series)
Pete Holston
- How to Succeed Without Trying (1976) ... Pete Holston
1972-1975 Maude (TV Series)
Randolph Cutler / Barry Witherspoon / Harry
- Walter's Ethics (1975) ... Randolph Cutler
- Maude's New Friend (1974) ... Barry Witherspoon
- Maude's Dilemma: Part 2 (1972) ... Harry
1975 Barney Miller (TV Series)
Charlie Huntsinger
- Grand Hotel (1975) ... Charlie Huntsinger
1975 Kojak (TV Series)
Dr. Michael Clossen
- Secret Snow, Deadly Snow (1975) ... Dr. Michael Clossen
1975 Caribe (TV Series)
Ed Rawlings / Commissioner Ed Rawlings
- Assault on the Calavera (1975) ... Ed Rawlings
- The Assassin (1975) ... Ed Rawlings
- Counterfeit Killer (1975) ... Ed Rawlings
- The Patriots (1975) ... Ed Rawlings
- One Second to Doom (1975) ... Ed Rawlings
1975 Petrocelli (TV Series)
Sheriff Arnheit
- Death in Small Doses (1975) ... Sheriff Arnheit
1974 Panic on the 5:22 (TV Movie)
Dr. Cruikshank
1972-1974 Cannon (TV Series)
Al / Gordon Kraeler / Dr. Dean
- A Killing in the Family (1974) ... Al
- The Rip-Off (1972) ... Gordon Kraeler
- To Kill a Guinea Pig (1972) ... Dr. Dean
1974 The Manhunter (TV Series)
Arnie Olson
- The Ma Gantry Gang (1974) ... Arnie Olson
1974 Love Story (TV Series)
Frank
- Time for Love (1974) ... Frank
1973 All in the Family (TV Series)
Mr. Morrison
- The Taxi Caper (1973) ... Mr. Morrison
1973 The New Perry Mason (TV Series)
Anthony Brewer
- The Case of the Horoscope Homicide (1973) ... Anthony Brewer
1973 Insight (TV Series)
Pete Amison
- Hey Janitor (1973) ... Pete Amison
1972-1973 Circle of Fear (TV Series)
Ted Murray / Walter Jerrold
- The Ghost of Potter's Field (1973) ... Ted Murray
- The Summer House (1972) ... Walter Jerrold
1973 The Magician (TV Series)
Mr. Radder
- Pilot (1973) ... Mr. Radder
1973 Applause (TV Movie)
Howard Benedict
1973 The Norliss Tapes (TV Movie)
George Rosen
1972 The Heist (TV Movie)
Owens
1971-1972 Mannix (TV Series)
Coden / Ed Noble
- The Inside Man (1972) ... Coden
- To Save a Dead Man (1971) ... Ed Noble
1972 A Great American Tragedy (TV Movie)
Leslie Baker
1972 Hickey & Boggs
Mr. Brill
1971-1972 Mission: Impossible (TV Series)
Tim Sharkey / Mr. C.
- Break! (1972) ... Tim Sharkey
- Shape-Up (1971) ... Mr. C.
1972 The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series)
Dockmaster
- Pilot (1972) ... Dockmaster
1972 The Carey Treatment
Dr. Barr
1971-1972 O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (TV Series)
George Landy / Thomas Jorgens
- Operation: Good Citizen (1972) ... George Landy
- Operation: Heroin (1971) ... Thomas Jorgens
1972 Longstreet (TV Series)
John Holt
- Field of Honor (1972) ... John Holt
1972 The F.B.I. (TV Series)
William McGrath
- The Hunters (1972) ... William McGrath
1972 Sanford and Son (TV Series)
Auctioneer
- Crossed Swords (1972) ... Auctioneer
1966-1970 Search for Tomorrow (TV Series)
Sam Reynolds
- Episode dated 3 July 1970 (1970) ... Sam Reynolds
- Episode dated 27 October 1967 (1967) ... Sam Reynolds
- Episode dated 22 February 1966 (1966) ... Sam Reynolds
- Episode dated 10 February 1966 (1966) ... Sam Reynolds
1966 Hawk (TV Series)
Inspector Hahn
- Ulysses and the Republic (1966) ... Inspector Hahn
1964 The Defenders (TV Series)
Committee #2
- Moment of Truth (1964) ... Committee #2
1964 Light Fantastic
1963 The Doctors (TV Series)
Mike Hennessey / Mr. Tabor
- The Candidate: Part 5 (1963) ... Mike Hennessey
- The Candidate: Part 4 (1963) ... Mike Hennessey
- The Candidate: Part 3 (1963) ... Mike Hennessey
- The Candidate: Part 2 (1963) ... Mike Hennessey
- The Candidate (1963) ... Mike Hennessey
1958-1963 Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series)
- Secret Document X256 (1963)
- Case for Room 310 (1958)
1963 Jackie Gleason: American Scene Magazine (TV Series)
Various
- Episode #1.16 (1963) ... Various (uncredited)
1959-1961 From These Roots (TV Series)
David Allen (1959-1961)
- Episode #1.912 (1961) ... David Allen (1959-1961)
- Episode #1.910 (1961) ... David Allen (1959-1961)
- Episode #1.911 (1961) ... David Allen (1959-1961)
- Episode #1.908 (1961) ... David Allen (1959-1961)
- Episode #1.909 (1961) ... David Allen (1959-1961)
1958 Kraft Theatre (TV Series)
- Trick or Treat (1958)
1956 The Edge of Night (TV Series)
Nathan Axelrod (1963)
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