Richard Roat, ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Friends’ actor, dead at 89

Actor Richard Roat, who was best known for appearing in “Seinfeld,” “Friends” and “Dallas,” died at age 89.

The veteran actor died in Orange County, California, on August 5. No further details were released.

“His greatest love was his family. Richard was fortunate to marry the love of his life, his true soulmate, Kathy,” the LA Times wrote in its obituary.

With a glittering TV career spanning nearly a half-century, Roat boasted notable credits in “Cheers,” “Murphy Brown,” “Hawaii Five-O” and “Happy Days.”

Born on July 3, 1933, the actor dabbled in various TV shows in the early 1960s before landing his first recurring role as Dr. Jerry Chandler on the NBC soap opera “The Doctors” in 1962. He went on to star in over 170 episodes during the show’s first year.

While the show continued to run for another two decades, Roat moved on to other acting ventures, including a guest starring role on “The Fugitive.”

Roat continued to act in the years to come, and in the 90s he landed roles in sitcoms “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “Ellen,” “Mad About You,” and “7th Heaven.”

Most notably, Roat appeared on “Seinfeld” as a guest star on season 8 in 1998.

His character was one of the doctors who found Julia Louis-Dreyfus ‘ character, Elaine Benes, to be a “difficult patient.”

In 2000, Roat secured another notable guest role on a huge TV show, this time, on “Friends.”

He provided some laughs as David Schwimmer’s character Ross Geller’s fellow professor who busted Ross for dating a student.

Prior to landing a guest role on “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” Roat was featured in two episodes of “The Golden Girls.”

He also starred as Farnsworth in multiple “Hill Street Blues” episodes from 1982 until 1985 and as Creighton on “Dynasty” in 1986.

Roat also appeared in a 1985 episode of “Cheers.”

The actor secured a recurring role on “Days of Our Lives” where he played Professor Henry Moore for 12 episodes.

His final acting credit on the small screen was in 2009 when he featured on an episode of “24” which ran 2001 from 2010.

Roat’s glittering career also saw him secure short stints on Broadway as well as onstage at The Public Theatre in Central Park.

He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Kathy Roat.