Michael McManus

Michael McManus (born January 26, 1946) is an American actor, writer, and producer. His best known movie role is perhaps Ben Tuthill in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He has had roles in the films Mother, Jugs & Speed, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, Funland and Action Jackson and guest starred in TV series including M*A*S*H, Laverne & Shirley, Rhoda, The Six Million Dollar Man, Dallas, Happy Days, Night Court, Knight Rider, and The Golden Girls. He won a Writers Guild of America Award in 1982 for Steve Martin's All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special for "Best Variety, Musical, or Comedy."

Career McManus was a series regular on the television sitcom Lewis & Clark as John, the bartender; the series lasted only one season of thirteen episodes. He also guest starred in a number of popular television series including Mr. Belvedere, Growing Pains, Newhart, Full House, Alice, Diff'rent Strokes. Webster, Hunter, Married... with Children, and Columbo, among others. In 1989, he had a recurring role as Sid Wilson on the first season of Baywatch. McManus' last known screen acting appearance was in a 2001 episode of According to Jim.

He has also worked behind the camera, most notably as the producer and writer of the crime comedy film Mafia!, writer of All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special, Year Title Role Notes1975 When Things Were Rotten Guy Tinker 1976 Mother, Jugs & Speed Walker 1976 Monster Squad Allegro 1976 Rhoda Herb Buck 1976 Gemini Many Moose 1976–1977 Laverne and Shirley Herb Prange 1977 M*A*S*H Sgt. Ames 1977 Smokey and the Bandit Trucker 'Silver Tongued Devil' 1977 The World's Greatest Lover Yes Man #5 1977 The Kentucky Fried Movie Hornung (segment "Courtroom")1978 The Six Million Dollar Man Guard Sims 1978 A Wild and Crazy Guy Self 1978 Family Mr. Lemon 1979 Dallas Matt 1981 Marie Writer 1981 Happy Days Sheriff 1981 All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special Writer 1981 Happy Days Sheriff 1981–1982 Lewis & Clark John 1982 Poltergeist Ben Tuthill 1982 Twilight Theater II Writer 1983 Dempsey Babe Ruth 1983–1984 Thicke of the Night Regular cast member 1984 Remington Steele Ralph Kelsey 1985 Moving Violations Farmer #1 1985 Head Office Branch Kipp 1985 Alice Charlie 1985 Knight Rider Danny "Rooster" Roskovich 1985 Diff'rent Strokes Cal 1986 Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures Sluggo 1987–1988 Webster Calvin Berke 1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Todd 1987 Funland T. G. Hurley 1988 Action Jackson Lionel Grantham 1988–1989 Night Court Dr. Gordon Mooney 1989 Hunter Lou Mason1989 The Golden Girls Sid LaBass 1989 Baywatch Sid LaBass 1990 Married... with Children Puggy 1990 Saved by the Bell Mr. Manfredi 1990 Doogie Howser, M.D. Roy Lester 1990 Coach Hoyt 1991 Shannon's Deal Bruce 1991 Step by Step Papa Larson 1992 Delta Roy 1992 Dear John Bruce 1993 Hot Shots! Part Deux Producer 1998 Mafia! Writer/Producer2001 According to Jim Ben