Richard Gilliland

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Richard Gilliland
Gilliland in a promotional photo for Operation Petticoat
Born(1950-01-23)January 23, 1950
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
DiedMarch 18, 2021(2021-03-18) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1974–2021
Spouse
​
(m. 1987)​
Children2

Richard Morris Gilliland (January 23, 1950 – March 18, 2021) was an American television and movie actor, best known as JD Shackleford in Designing Women (1986–1992).[1]

Life and career[edit]

Gilliland was born in Fort Worth, Texas to parents Richard Velton Gilliland and Betty Gene née Morris Gilliland.[2] He attended Shawnee Mission South High School in Overland Park, Kansas, graduating in 1968. He was active in plays and musicals.[3] He studied drama at the University of Kansas for two years before transferring to the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago.[4] He left school his final year to become a member of the Chicago Free Street Theater. He joined the cast of Godspell in Chicago first as a disciple and then in the leading role before moving to Los Angeles in 1973.[3]

Gilliland first appeared onscreen in the 1970s.[4] His notable appearances include The Waltons, Thirtysomething, Party of Five, Little Women,[4] and a recurring role on Designing Women where he met actress Jean Smart, who starred as Charlene in that series. On Designing Women he played J. D. Shackelford, the boyfriend of Annie Potts' character Mary Jo Shively.[5] He and Smart married in 1987. [5] They have two sons, Connor Douglas (born 1989)[6] and Forrest who was adopted from China in May 2009.[7]

He played Ellis Kapp on The Unit and Captain Stan Cotter on 24 during season five, while his wife Jean Smart played First Lady Martha Logan in the same season.[8][9] He also had a recurring role as serial killer Jeffrey Speidel in the NBC series Matlock.

He died following a short illness in Los Angeles, California, on March 18, 2021, at the age of 71.[10][11]

Select TV and filmography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bosselman, Haley (March 26, 2021). "Richard Gilliland, Actor on 'Designing Women,' Dies at 71". Variety (magazine).
  2. ^ ""Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch". www.ancestry.com. Richard Morris Gilliland, 23 Jan 1950; Ancestry citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
  3. ^ a b Nicely, Steve (October 23, 1977). "Watch Out Ed Asher". The Kansas City Star. p. 4E.
  4. ^ a b c Scott, Vernon (February 19, 1979). "Richard Gilliland the Main Man for 'Little Women'". The Pittsburg Press.
  5. ^ a b Henderson, Cydney (March 25, 2021). "'Rest peacefully dearest': Richard Gilliland, actor and husband to Jean Smart, dies at 71". USA Today.
  6. ^ "Jean Smart- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
  7. ^ Etienne, Vanessa; Gauk-Roger, Topher (February 28, 2022). "Jean Smart Says Being a Single Mother Has Been 'Unimaginable': 'Hardest Thing I've Ever Done'". PEOPLE.com.
  8. ^ "Richard Gilliland – Call Me Crazy: A Five Film Official Movie Site". Lifetime. April 20, 2013. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 2, 2007). "Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland Will Read Love Letters Feb. 10-11". Playbill. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  10. ^ Barnes, Mike (March 25, 2021). "Richard Gilliland, 'Designing Women' Actor and Husband of Jean Smart, Dies at 71". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  11. ^ Seemayer, Zach. "Richard Gilliland, Actor and Husband of Jean Smart, Dead at 71". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 26, 2021.

External links[edit]


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