Ronald “Ronnie” Ralph Schell, the actor and comedian best known for playing Duke Slater on the 1960s sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., died of natural causes on June 12 at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 94.
Schell began his career as a stand-up comedian before landing his breakthrough role alongside Jim Nabors on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., where he appeared from 1964 to 1969.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, he appeared in nearly 150 television productions and over 20 films, including That Girl, Sanford and Son, Charlie’s Angels, and several Disney comedies. He also enjoyed a successful voice-acting career and continued performing into his later years.
Schell is survived by his wife, Janet, his sons, Gregory and Christian, and his granddaughter, Chiara.