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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

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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.[5] On Designing Women he played J. D. Shackelford, the boyfriend of Annie Potts' character Mary Jo Shively. 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

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References

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  1. ^ Bosselman, Haley (March 26, 2021). "Richard Gilliland, Actor on 'Designing Women,' Dies at 71". Variety.
  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 Asner". The Kansas City Star. p. 4E.
  4. ^ a b c Scott, Vernon (February 19, 1979). "Richard Gilliland the Main Man for 'Little Women'". The Pittsburgh Press. p. B-17.
  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.
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