Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
December 9, 1942
Died
October 5, 2023 (age 80)
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Dick Butkus
Biography
Richard Marvin Butkus (December 9, 1942 - October 5, 2023) was an American former professional football player, sports commentator, and actor. He played football as a middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. He was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in pro football history.
Known For
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self (uncredited)
1975
TV
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
TV
Murder, She Wrote
Tank Mason
1984
TV
The Love Boat
Ernie Jordan
1977
TV
MacGyver
Earl Dent
1985
TV
Night Court
Stanley
1984
TV
The Six Million Dollar Man
Bobby Laport
1974
TV
Magnum, P.I.
Clarence / Dumbo
1980
TV
Coach
Dick Butkus
1989
TV
The Rockford Files
Dick Butkus
1974
TV
Matlock
Vic Garrett / The Annihilator
1986
TV
Simon & Simon
1981
TV
Emergency!
Dave 'The Animal'
1972
TV
Matt Houston
Crusher Kawalski
1982
TV
Taxi
Party Guy
1978
TV
Early Edition
Dick Butkus
1996
TV
Vega$
1978
TV
The Bernie Mac Show
Dick Butkus
2001
TV
Fantasy Island
Moose Maloney
1978
TV
Growing Pains
Robert
1985
Filmography
2014TVI Didn't Do Itas Himself2008FilmMemorial Stadium: True Illini Spiritas Self2007FilmNFL Moment of Impact2005TVDeal or No Dealas Self - Supporter2001TVThe Bernie Mac Showas Dick Butkus2001TVInside Schwartzas Dick Butkus2001FilmTeddy Bears' Picnicas Dick Butkus1999FilmAny Given Sundayas Opposing Coach - Game 31997TVChicago Sons1996TVEarly Editionas Dick Butkus1995TVCharlie Graceas Dick Butkus1995TVHang Timeas Mike Katowinski1994TVBurke's Lawas Tony Ward1991FilmThe Last Boy Scoutas Himself1991FilmNecessary Roughnessas Convict Football Player1990FilmGremlins 2: The New Batchas Dick Butkus1990FilmSpontaneous Combustionas Lt. General1989TVCoachas Dick Butkus1988FilmCrash Courseas Ed Konner1987TVMy Two Dadsas Ed Klawicki1987FilmThe Stepford Childrenas Tom Wilcox1986FilmCrunch Courseas Self1986FilmWrestleMania IIas Referee1986TVMatlockas Vic Garrett / The Annihilator1986FilmHamburger: The Motion Pictureas Drootin1986TVBlacke's Magicas Ruston1985TVMacGyveras Earl Dent1985TVGrowing Painsas Robert1985TVHalf Nelsonas Beau1985FilmRodney Dangerfield: Exposed!as himself1984FilmJohnny Dangerouslyas Arthur1984TVMurder, She Wroteas Tank Mason1984TVKate & Allie1984TVBlue Thunderas Richard Butowski1984TVNight Courtas Stanley1983FilmSmorgasbordas Anti-Smoking Enforcer1982FilmDeadly Gamesas Joe Adams1982TVMatt Houstonas Crusher Kawalski1981TVSimon & Simon1981TVThe Greatest American Heroas Coach Andrews1980TVMagnum, P.I.as Clarence / Dumbo1980FilmThe Legend of Sleepy Hollowas Brom Bones1978TVVega$1978TVTaxias Party Guy1978TVFantasy Islandas Moose Maloney1978FilmSuperdomeas Scott Hennerson1977TVThe Love Boatas Ernie Jordan1976FilmGusas Rob Cargil1976FilmMother, Jugs & Speedas Rodeo1976TVRich Man, Poor Manas Al Funducci1975TVWonder Womanas Neil1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self (uncredited)1975TVJoe Forrester1975FilmCry, Onion!as Jeff1975TVBronk1975FilmA Matter of Wife... and Deathas Heavy1974TVThe Rockford Filesas Dick Butkus1974TVPetrocellias Bill Eberly1974TVThe Six Million Dollar Manas Bobby Laport1973TVPolice Story1972TVEmergency!as Dave 'The Animal'1971FilmBrian's Songas Dick Butkus (uncredited)1971TVMcMillan & Wifeas Coach1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self