Actor: Richard Dysart

Richard Dysart played Doctor Copper in The Thing, whose attempted defibrillation is one of the film’s most famous practical effects sequences.

Being There, The Hospital and Prophecy fill out the film work, and he specialised in doctors and officials.

L.A. Law gave him Leland McKenzie across eight seasons and won him an Emmy. He served in the Army and taught before acting, coming to the profession late.