Kenneth McMillan

Ruddy-faced, barrel-bellied American actor Kenneth McMillan was a stalwart of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and also appeared in the original Broadway productions of American Buffalo and Streamers. He was the recipient of the Obie Award for his performance in the off-Broadway presentation Weekends and Other People -- the usual "overnight success" after nearly 20 years in the business. Sitcom fans are familiar with McMillan through his recurring role as Valerie Harper's ulcerated boss on Rhoda. Many of McMillan's roles required him to be bully or bigot: Sheriff Bull Connor on the TV miniseries King (1978) the black-baiting fire chief in Ragtime (1979), etc. In real life, Kenneth McMillan was known to be a friendly and generous man, qualities which carried over into such rare comedy roles as the ballclub manager in the little-seen Blue Skies Again (1983).