From the heartwarming family dramas of the 1970s to the chilling mysteries of the 1980s, Richard Masur has been a consistent and recognizable face in Hollywood for decades.
With over 150 acting credits to his name, Masur has showcased his versatility, taking on roles that have resonated with audiences of all ages.
Best known for his memorable performances in “Risky Business,” “My Girl,” “The Thing,” and the Stephen King miniseries “It,” Masur has carved a niche for himself, often portraying fathers, teachers, and other authority figures with depth and authenticity.
While he might have taken a step back from the limelight in recent years, his contributions to the film and television industry remain undeniable. Dive into this article as we explore the life, career, and legacy of Richard Masur, a true character actor who has left an indelible mark on Hollywood.
Background Information
Richard Masur was born in New York City, New York, on November 20, 1948. This 6’1 `” (1.85 m) character actor has had a long film career and has served two terms as a SAG-AFTRA president. His acting career has spanned over 80 films, and he has appeared in many television projects from 1974 to the present.
Masur was born to Clair and Jesse Masur. Claire (her maiden name unknown and unpublished) was a high school counselor. Jesse Masur was a pharmacist. Richard Masur has a sister named Judith Masur. Richard is of Jewish descent.
Richard Masur attended P.S. 28, Walt Whitman Junior High School, and Roosevelt High School. He began studying acting at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Connecticut and started working as a stage actor before landing his first film and television roles in the 1970s.
Richard Masur’s first on-screen role would be a guest appearance on the hugely popular sitcom All in the Family. He would play George in the 1974 episode “Gloria’s Boyfriend.” Masur’s versatility as a character actor would lead him to appear in many popular series throughout the 1970s in more minor roles, including appearances on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Waltons, M*A*S*H, and Hawaii Five-O.
However, we would also land recurring parts of a few shows during this time, including the role of Clifford Ainsley in Hot L Baltimore across 13 episodes in 1975. He would also appear as Nick Lobo in Rhoda, across seven episodes from 1974 to 1977.
During the 1970s, he would make his film debut in the 1975 comedy Whiffs, directed by Ted Post and starring Elliott Gould. His career would continue to expand through the 1980s, landing him in some iconic films.
He would play the character of Clark, the dog-keeper in John Carpenter’s 1982 horror film The Thing. He would follow that up in 1983 with a role in the Tom Cruise-led Risky Business, playing Rutherford. He would continue to serve in film and television roles, such as 1988’s Shoot to Kill, featuring Sidney Potier and Tom Berenger and also in 1988, he played one of his more memorable role as the father in Licensed to Drive.
In the 1990s, he would play the character of Stanley Uris in the Stephen King adaptation of It (1990). He would also appear in Encino Man (1992), Blood In, Blood Out (1993), and multiple appearances in the television show L.A. Law from 1988 to 1993.
He also played the character of Phil Sultenfuss in the films My Girl (1991) and My Girl 2 (1994).
What is Richard Masur doing now?
In recent years, Richard Masur has continued to take on select acting roles, primarily on television.
In 2022, he appeared as Dr. Declan Mittman in an episode of Bull. The year prior, he had a guest role as David in an episode of Magnum P.I. Other recent TV credits include providing the voice of The Broom Maker for an episode of the animated series Summer Camp Island in 2021.
Masur also appeared in the 2021 short film Frankie as the character Gerald.
Richard Masur and the SAG-AFTRA Strike
Richard Masur, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, has recently been at the forefront of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Alongside the national president of SAG-AFTRA, Fran Drescher, Masur has been rallying guild members, emphasizing the importance of unity and the pressing need for change.
The strike, which commenced on July 14, arose from a disagreement between the guild and the AMPTP, representing major Hollywood studios and streamers, over a new contract.
During a notable picket line in New York, both Drescher and Masur, accompanied by other industry figures, addressed pivotal issues, including residuals and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in entertainment.
Masur’s involvement in the guild is deep-rooted. Serving two consecutive terms as SAG-AFTRA President from 1995 to 1999, his leadership journey began with his election to the SAG board in 1989.
He subsequently held the position of Third National Vice President from 1991 to 1995. Beyond SAG-AFTRA, Masur has held significant roles in the entertainment sector.
He served as Treasurer of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Corporation, was an Advisory Board member of the Creative Coalition, participated in The National Film Preservation Board, and contributed to the Advisory Council of the California Assembly Select Committee on the Entertainment Industry.
Personal Life
Richard Masur has been married twice. His first marriage was to Fredda Weiss. The pair were married from September 1976 to July 2004 but divorced. Fredda Weiss was a producer born in New York City on March 21, 1941. She was a producer for Shoot to Kill (1988) and The Best of Times (1986).
Masur’s second marriage was to Eileen Henry, spanning August 2004 to the present. There hasn’t been a notable change in that marriage. Eileen Henry was a SAG-AFTRA President for New York for a time and currently serves as a practicing attorney in the arts and union services.
There is no indication that Richard Masur has had any children or articles or news stories about potential children. Likely, Richard Masur does not have children.
Richard Masur does have a couple of social media profiles. He does not post very often, but he has a social media presence. He can be found on Twitter and Instagram.
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