Rick Lenz

Rick Lenz (born November 21, 1939, Springfield, Illinois) is an American actor, author and playwright. Lenz is known for his performances in the films Cactus Flower, The Shootist (1976), and Melvin and Howard (1980).

Early career Lenz directed the Jackson, Michigan Civic Theater for two years before relocating to New York to seek work as an actor. In 1965, he made his Broadway debut in Mating Dance, starring Van Johnson. Though the show closed opening night, stage impresario David Merrick was in the audience, and soon afterward cast Lenz in the Broadway hit Cactus Flower as understudy for the juvenile lead role, Igor Sullivan. Lenz later took over the role and played it for a year. Film producer Mike Frankovich and Walter Matthau saw him in the part and cast him as Igor in the film version, with Goldie Hawn.

In the 1970s, Lenz appeared in several Hollywood movies, including How Do I Love Thee? (1970), Scandalous John (1971), Where Does It Hurt? (1972), The Shootist (1976), The Little Dragons (1980), and Melvin and Howard (1980).

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1969 Cactus Flower Igor Sullivan 1970 How Do I Love Thee? Tom Waltz 1971 Scandalous John Jimmy Whitaker 1972 Where Does It Hurt? Lester Hammond 1976 The Shootist Dobkins Credited as Richard Lenz1979 The Little Dragons Dick Forbinger 1980 Melvin and Howard Lawyer 2002 Home Room Bereaved Father 2002 Tequila Express Gov. Jeffries

Television

Theatre

Personal life As of 2017, Lenz resides in Los Angeles with his spouse, Linda; the couple married in May 1982.