Eugene Roche
1928 - 2004

Character Player Known for Appearances on Magnum PI and Soap Dies of Heart Attack at 75

Growing up, I learned to use humor as a defense mechanism. I was young for my class (being born in November), young for my age, and generally young-looking -- and chubby, and short. And easy pickings. Luckily I was smart, and I had a natural flair for the comic. I also suffered from depression and anxiety (not diagnosed until I was in my mid-late 20s). Anyway, in my early teens, when the VCR was invented I was able to catch up on movies and old movies, and I escaped into the television constantly, and I got into listening to old comedy radio shows, etc. Anyway, at one point, early on, I really got into the TV show "Soap," I remember watching the fast-rolling end credits at the end of every show, and learning actors' names, and that ended up being something that I would just begin to do naturally. At 25, I couldn't tell you what it was like to have sex, but I could name the entire cast of -- I mean, everyone who appeared in -- say, the movie Murder By Death.

Anyway, I decided to started taping every episode of Soap -- which I gave up after filling about 5 tapes worth, with no ending in sight (to me, at the time). Back then a videotape cost like $10. Which is like $20 today. And today you can videotapes for like $2. That's if anyone even wants one.

Whatever, I also noticed Roche, at an early age (meaning my age, not his), and during his prime, re-united with Soap's Ted Wass in Oh, God! You Devil (1984), as the Archbishop and his murderous brother in Foul Play (1978), The Late Show (1977), many guest appearances on series TV, most notably on a couple of episodes of All In the Family, as Pinky Peterson (1978 and 1976), and in five episodes of "Magnum, P.I." -- but playing such a memorable character (Luther H. Gillis) that the five appearances were spread out through five years (1983-1988). More recently, Roche was seen on an episode of Comedy Central's satire, "That's My Bush!" playing The Warden on the episode, "A Poorly Executed Plan" (11 April 2001).

Overlooking the cast of Soap, these are the names I still recognize; I mean, I can picture all of these people and tell you at least something else they've appeared in (please don't think I'm bragging, it's like how Rainman can see 1423 toothpicks on the floor and say "1423 toothpicks on floor"):

(You can skip this if you like; below is imdb filmography info and AP/Reuters obit info.)

"Soap" (1977-1981) cast:
Katherine Helmond .... Jessica Tate
Cathryn Damon .... Mary Campbell
Robert Mandan .... Chester Tate
Richard Mulligan .... Burt Campbell
Robert Guillaume .... Benson DuBois (1977-1979)
Billy Crystal .... Jodie Dallas
Eugene Roche .... E. Ronald Mallou, Esq. (1978-81)
Robert Urich .... Peter Campbell (1977)
Ted Wass .... Danny Dallas
Roscoe Lee Browne .... Saunders (1980-81)
Diana Canova .... Corinne Tate-Flotsky (1977-80)
Jennifer Salt .... Eunice Tate-Leitner (1977-81)
Jimmy Baio .... Billy Tate
Arthur Peterson .... The Major
Jay Johnson .... Chuck/Bob Campbell
John Byner .... Detective Donahue (1978-80)
Richard Libertini .... The Godfather (1977-78)
Donnelly Rhodes .... Dutch Leitner (1978-81)
Dinah Manoff .... Elaine Lefkowitz-Dallas (1978-79)
Caroline McWilliams .... Sally (1978-79)
Rebecca Balding .... Carol David (1978-81)
Allan Miller .... Dr. Alan Posner (1980-81)
Lynne Moody .... Polly Dawson (1979-81)
Marla Pennington .... Leslie Walker (1979-81)
Peggy Pope .... Mrs. David (1979-81)
Gregory Sierra .... Carlos 'El Puerco' Valdez (1980-1981)
Sal Viscuso .... Father Timothy Flotsky (1978-79)
Jesse Welles .... Gwen (1980-81)
Jerry Houser .... The Robber
Harold Gould .... Barney Gerber
Shelley Morrison .... The Maid
Bernard Fox .... Randolph
William Daniels .... Heinrich Himmel
Lupe Ontiveros .... Lady in Airport
Nita Talbot .... Sheila Fine
Inga Swenson .... Ingrid Swenson
Howard Hesseman .... Mr. Franklin
Charles Lane .... Judge Anthony Petrillo
Sorrell Booke .... Charles Lefkowitz
Gordon Jump .... Chief of Police Tinkler
Ian Wolfe .... Father Juniper
J. Pat O'Malley .... Orville
Doris Roberts .... Flo Flotsky
Michael Conrad .... 'Boomer' David
Ron Rifkin .... Dr. Kanter
Lee Bergere .... Anatole Martins
G.W. Bailey .... The Hobo
Richard Stahl .... Officer Hickey
Jo de Winter .... The Doctor
Burton Gilliam .... Buck
Dick Miller .... Prison Guard
Robert Englund .... Simon
Jack Gilford .... Saul
John Hillerman .... Minister
Kurtwood Smith .... Guy in Laundromat
Kene Holliday .... Eddie Coleman
Ted Shackelford .... R.C.
Art LaFleur .... Bartender
Earl Boen .... Dr. Drell
Hamilton Camp .... Elmore Tibbs
Barbara Rhoades .... Maggie Chandler
George Wendt .... Counterman
George Wyner .... Dr. Rudolph
Joe Mantegna .... Juan One

Friendly Roche article.
Another good article on Roche.

'Ajax Man' Actor Eugene Roche Dies at 75
Jul 30 2004 8:25PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Eugene Roche, a paunchy character actor who played the kitchen-cleaning "Ajax man" in commercials and had memorable roles in such television shows as "All in the Family" and "Magnum P.I" has died at age 75.

Roche died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack in an Encino hospital, family friend Timothy Wayne said Friday. He had been hospitalized Monday for tests after suffering a mild heart attack at his home in Sherman Oaks, Wayne said.

Roche's name may not be familiar to most audiences, but his face surely was.

Plump and jovial with glinting eyes, Roche costarred on TV's "Webster" as a lovable landlord, and was Archie Bunker's neighborhood nemesis Pinky Peterson on "All in the Family."

Roche, born in Boston, also played the curmudgeonly "old school" private investigator Luther Gillis on "Magnum P.I.," the sly attorney E. Ronald Mallu on the sitcom "Soap" and the newspaper editor Harry Burns on "Perfect Strangers."

One of his most memorable movie roles was in 1971's "Slaughterhouse-Five," based on the novel by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Roche played a likable POW named Edgar Derby, who amid the scorched remains of a firebombed Dresden picks up an intact porcelain figurine as a souvenir - and is promptly executed for looting by his German captors.

Survivors include his wife, Anntoni, and their nine children.

Date of birth: September 22, 1928, Boston, Massachusetts.

Mini biography: Adept at both comedy and drama, character player Eugene Roche (sometimes billed as Gene Roche) has had an extensive four-decade career thus far. Born in Depression-era Boston the son of a Navy man, the moon-faced, intent-looking Roche started on radio at age 15 displaying his knack for character voices, both men and women. He enlisted in the U.S. Army following high school, then studied at Emerson College. Searching for work in summer stock and variety shows, he appeared in productions of "Pal Joey" with Bob Fosse and "Point of No Return" with Henry Fonda. Newly married at this time, he found much classical stage work in San Francisco in the early 50s, then headed for New York and began appearing in dramatic TV shows and commercials. He made his Broadway debut with "Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole" starring Darren McGavin and went on to do "The White House" with Helen Hayes and "Mother Courage" with Anne Bancroft. Comedy became his forte on TV with showy recurring roles on "Soap," "Night Court," and "Perfect Strangers" while choice support parts came his way with The Late Show (1977) and Foul Play (1978), some cantankerous, some loveable, some menacing. The father of nine children, three of his male offspring have opted for entertainment careers: Eamonn and Brogan are actors, and Sean is an Emmy award-winning writer and producer. IMDb mini-biography by Gary Brumburgh.

Spouse: Ann Toni C. Bratman (19?? - present) 9 children

Trivia:
Father of 9 children, including actor Eamonn Roche.
Played famed police detective Eddie Egan in an unsold pilot for a TV series based on him, which was produced in the mid-'70s after "The French Connection" was a hit.
Wrote a book of short shories chronicling people he has met during his life.

Personal quotes: "Persevere, and never allow anything or anyone to deter you from your passion. The world will cheer you one day and dismiss you the next so treat fanfare and failure as twins."

Actor Filmography
1. Dancing at the Harvest Moon (2002) (TV)
2. The Woman Chaser (1999) .... Used Car Dealer
3. "The Chimp Channel" (1999) TV Series (voice) .... Murray Price
4. The Rockford Files: Murder and Misdemeanors (1997) (TV)
5. Executive Decision (1996) .... Admiral Lewis
6. Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) (TV) .... George Stevens
7. "Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?" (1994) TV Series (voice) .... Additional Voices
8. A Friend to Die For (1994) (TV) .... Priest
9. Roswell (1994) (TV) .... James Forrestal
10. When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) .... Walter
11. A Case for Murder (1993) (TV) .... Alan Nugent
12. "Julie" (1992) TV Series .... Wooley
13. The Last Holloween (1991) (TV) .... Grandpa
14. The Sitter (1991) (TV) .... Carl
15. "Lenny" (1990) TV Series .... Pat
16. Eternity (1989) .... Ridley/Governor
17. An Eight Is Enough Wedding (1989) (TV) .... Osborne Fulbright
18. "Perfect Strangers" (1986) TV Series .... Harry Burns (1987-1988)
19. "Take Five" (1987) TV Series .... Max Davis
20. Stranded (1986) (TV) .... Sullivan
21. "Webster" (1983) TV Series .... Bill Parker (1984-1986)
22. The Juggler of Notre Dame (1984) (TV) (as Gene Roche) .... Father Delany
23. Oh, God! You Devil (1984) .... Charlie Gray
24. Pigs Vs. Freaks (1984) (TV) .... Police Chief Frank Brockmeyer
25. Airwolf (1984) (TV) .... Senator William Dietz
26. Cocaine and Blue Eyes (1983) (TV) .... Sergeant Khoury
27. Farrell for the People (1982) (TV) .... Patrick J. Malloy
28. Miracle on Ice (1981) (TV) .... Don Craig
29. Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case (1980) (TV) .... Gary Gortmaker
30. "Good Time Harry" (1980) TV Series .... Jimmy Hughes
31. Love for Rent (1979) (TV) .... Sloane
32. Hart to Hart (1979) (TV) .... Business Manager
33. You Can't Take It with You (1979) (TV) .... Paul Sycamore
34. The Child Stealer (1979) (TV) .... Lew Beck
35. "Soap" (1977) TV Series .... Attorney E. Ronald Mallu (1978-1981)
36. The Winds of Kitty Hawk (1978) (TV) .... Bishop Milton Wright
37. The New Maverick (1978) (TV) .... Judge Austin Crupper, President 1st National Bank of Deming Texas
38. Foul Play (1978) .... Archbishop Thorncrest/Archbishop's brother
39. Corvette Summer (1978) .... Ed McGrath
40. The Ghost of Flight 401 (1978) (TV) .... Matt Andrews
41. The Late Show (1977) .... Ron Birdwell
42. Corey: For the People (1977) (TV) .... District Attorney Patrick Shannon
43. Never Con a Killer (1977) (TV) .... Schroeder
44. The Possessed (1977) (TV) .... Sgt. Taplinger
45. Mallory: Circumstantial Evidence (1976) (TV) .... Bob Lattimer
46. The Art of Crime (1975) (TV) .... Detective Sergeant Harry Isadore
47.Crime Club (1975) (TV) .... Daniel Lawrence
48. "The Law" (1975) (mini) TV Series .... Mincher
49. The Last Survivors (1975) (TV) .... Prosecutor
50. Mr. Ricco (1975) .... George Cronyn
51. W (1974) .... Charles Jasper
52. Newman's Law (1974) .... Reardon
53. Winter Kill (1974) (TV) .... Mayor Clinton Bickford
54. "The Corner Bar" (1972) TV Series .... Frank Flynn (1973)
55. Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) .... Edgar Derby
56. Crawlspace (1972) (TV) .... Emil Birge
57. They Might Be Giants (1971) .... Policeman
58. Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) .... Anderson
59. The Happening (1967) .... First Motorcycle Officer

Notable TV Guest Appearances
1. "The Chronicle" (2001) as "Arnie Campbell" in: "Only the Young Die Good" (ep # 1.7) 18 August 2001
2. "That's My Bush!" (2001) as "The Warden" in: "A Poorly Executed Plan" (ep # 1.2) 11 April 2001
3. "For Your Love" (1998) as "Mel's Boss" in: "The Adulterer who came to dinner" (ep # 3.14) 11 February 2000
4. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" (1999) as "Mayor" in: "The Question" (ep # 1.15) 18 January 2000
5. "The Trouble with Normal" (2000) as "Bernie" in: "Help Yourself" (ep # 1.10) 2000
6. "Family Law" (1999) as "Judge Theodore Foley" in: "The Fourth Trimester" (ep # 1.8) 15 November 1999
7. "Brother's Keeper" (1998) as "Snappy" in: "Since You Came Here" (ep # 1.2) 9 October 1998
8. "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show" (1997) as "Grandpa Matthew Murdock" in: "Honey, We've Been Swallowed by Grandpa" (ep # 1.1) 26 Sept 1997
9. "Dave's World" (1993) as "Eric Jr." in: "Stress" (ep # 4.9) 22 November 1996
10. "Promised Land" (1996) as "Brian Drake" in: "The Magic Gate" (ep # 1.6) 15 October 1996
11. "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995) as "Jor Brel" in: "Remember" (ep # 3.6) 9 October 1996
12. "Dave's World" (1993) as "Eric Jr." in: "Catch of the Day" (ep # 3.8) 8 November 1995
13. "Dave's World" (1993) as "Eric Jr." in: "It's Not About That ..." (ep # 3.2) 20 September 1995
14. "Dave's World" (1993) as "Eric Jr." in: "Piano, No Strings" (ep # 2.24) 15 May 1995
15. "Daddy's Girls" (1994) in: "Pilot" (ep # 1.1) 21 September 1994
16. "The John Larroquette Show" (1993) in: "Wasted Lives" (ep # 1.23) 29 March 1994
17. "Batman" (1992) as "Arnold Stromwell" in: "Robin's Reckoning: Part 1" (ep # 1.51) 7 February 1993
18. "Batman" (1992) as "Arnold Stromwell" in: "It's Never Too Late" (ep # 1.6) 10 September 1992
19. "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) as "Lt. Jack Boyle" in: "Bite the Big Apple" (ep # 8.1) 15 September 1991
20. "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) as "Franklin Mayberry" in: "Something Borrowed, Someone Blue" (ep # 5.9) 8 January 1989
21. "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) as "Lt. Aloyius Jarvis" in: "Deadpan" (ep # 4.21) 1 May 1988
22. "Magnum, P.I." (1980) as "Luther H. Gillis" in: "Transitions" (ep # 8.11) 17 February 1988
23. "Night Court" (1984) as "Jack Sullivan" in: "Hit the Road, Jack" (ep # 5.13) 14 January 1988
24. "Hotel" (1983) as "Phil Kroger" in: "Prized Possessions" (ep # 5.10) 12 December 1987
25. "Stingray" (1986) as "Capt. Tim Greenwood" in: "Playback" (ep # 2.3) 23 January 1987
26. "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) as "Billy Simms" in: "Deadline for Murder" (ep # 3.7) 16 November 1986
27. "Hotel" (1983) as "John Lucas" in: "Double Jeopardy" (ep # 4.4) 5 November 1986
28. "Magnum, P.I." (1980) as "Luther H. Gillis" in: "A.A.P.I." (ep # 7.4) 22 October 1986
29. "Highway to Heaven" (1984) as "Michael Clancy" in: "Another Kind of War, Another Kind of Peace" (ep # 3.4) 15 October 1986
30. "Crazy Like a Fox" (1984) in: "Just Another Fox in the Crowd" (ep # 2.17) 26 February 1986
31. "Night Court" (1984) as "Jack Sullivan" in: "Dad's First Date" (ep # 3.3) 17 October 1985
32. "Hardcastle and McCormick" (1983) as "Joe Murphy" in: "Something's Going on on This Train" (ep # 3.4) 14 October 1985
33. "Magnum, P.I." (1980) as "Luther H. Gillis" in: "Luther Gillis: File #001" (ep # 5.10) 6 December 1984
34. "Night Court" (1984) as "Jack Sullivan" in: "Christine and Mac" (ep # 2.2) 4 October 1984
35. "Airwolf" (1984) as "Eddie Donahough" (as Eugene H. Roche) in: "Firestorm" (ep # 2.2) 29 September 1984
36. "Magnum, P.I." (1980) as "Luther H. Gillis" in: "The Return of Luther Gillis" (ep # 4.16) 16 February 1984
37. "Airwolf" (1984) as "Senator William Dietz" in: "Shadow of the Hawke: Part 2" (ep # 1.2) 22 January 1984
38. "Airwolf" (1984) as "Senator William Dietz" in: "Shadow of the Hawke: Part 1" (ep # 1.1) 22 January 1984
39. "Magnum, P.I." (1980) as "Luther H. Gillis" in: "Luther Gillis: File #521" (ep # 4.2) 6 October 1983
40. "Gimme a Break!" (1981) as "Officer Jerry" in: "The Chief's Gay Evening" (ep # 2.7) 13 November 1982
41. "Taxi" (1978) as "Jack" in: "The Road Not Taken: Part 1" (ep # 4.23) 29 April 1982
42. "Darkroom" (1981) as "Charlie" in: "A Quiet Funeral" (ep # 1.7) 18 December 1981
43. "Vega$" (1978) as "Paul Dunniger" in: "Second Stanza" (ep # 1.10) 6 December 1978
44. "All in the Family" (1971) as "Pinky Peterson" in: "Archie's Other Wife" (ep # 9.7) 5 November 1978
45. "Kaz" (1978) in: "Verdict in Department 12" (ep # 1.2) 24 September 1978
46. "Quincy" (1976) as "Walter Daniels" in: "Main Man" (ep # 3.8) 11 November 1977
47. "Lou Grant" (1977) as "Jack Riley" in: "Hoax" (ep # 1.3) 4 October 1977
48. "Kingston: Confidential" (1977) in: "The Rage at Hannibal" (ep # 1.6) 8 June 1977
49. "Police Woman" (1974) as "Brian Murphy" in: "Solitaire" (ep # 3.20) 22 February 1977
50. "Maude" (1972) as "Albie Doyle" in: "Arthur's Crisis" (ep # 5.16) 7 February 1977
51. "Starsky and Hutch" (1975) as "Dr. George Stegner" in: "The Set-Up: Part 2" (ep # 2.15) 29 January 1977
52. "Starsky and Hutch" (1975) as "Dr. George Stegner" in: "The Set-Up: Part 1" (ep # 2.14) 22 January 1977
53. "All in the Family" (1971) as "Pinky Peterson" in: "The Draft Dodger" (ep # 7.15) 25 December 1976
54. "Barnaby Jones" (1973) as "Ernie Kilgore" in: "The Bounty Hunter" (ep # 5.8) 16 December 1976
55. "All in the Family" (1971) as "Pinky Peterson" in: "Beverly Rides Again" (ep # 7.11) 6 November 1976
56. "Serpico" (1976) as "John Maloney" in: "Every Man Must Pay His Dues" (ep # 1.4) 29 October 1976
57. "The Streets of San Francisco" (1972) as "Charley Springer" in: "The Drop" (ep # 5.4) 28 October 1976
58. "Medical Center" (1969) in: "If Wishes Were Horses" (ep # 7.24) 15 March 1976
59. "Harry O" (1974) as "Sgt. Helmond" in: "Victim" (ep # 2.19) 4 March 1976
60. "Bronk" (1975) in: "Line of Fire" (ep # 1.8) 9 November 1975
61. "Kojak" (1973) as "Patrolman Lyle 'Sandy' Beach" in: "Out of the Frying Pan ..." (ep # 3.7) 2 November 1975
62. "Ellery Queen" (1975) as "Sherrif Oscar Eberhart" in: "The Adventure of the Chinese Dog" (ep # 1.3) 25 September 1975
63. "Hawaii Five-O" (1968) as "Ed Hudson" in: "A Woman's Work Is with a Gun" (ep # 7.16) 21 January 1975
64. "Kojak" (1973) as "Seymore Haywood" in: "Acts of Desperate Men" (ep # 2.17) 12 January 1975
65. "McCloud" (1970) as "Rockford" in: "This Must Be the Alamo" (ep # 4.5) 24 March 1974
66. "The Trials of O'Brien" (1965) as "Henchley" (as Gene Roche) in: "How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?" (ep # 1.9) 13 November 1965
67. "East Side/West Side" (1963) as "Troy" in: "The Name of the Game" (ep # 1.23) 23 March 1964
68. "Route 66" (1960) as "Mr. King" in: "Like This It Means Father, Like This Bitter, Like This Tiger" (ep # 4.15) 17 January 1964
69. "Naked City" (1958) as "George" (as Gene Roche) in: "Color Schemes Like Never Before" (ep # 4.30) 1 May 1963
70. "Naked City" (1958) as "Smith" (as Gene Roach) in: "One of the Most Important Men in the World" (ep # 3.17) 31 January 1962