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Michael McManus (American actor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael McManus
Born (1946-01-26) January 26, 1946 (age 79)
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, producer
Years active1975–2001

Michael McManus (born January 26, 1946) is an American actor, writer, and producer. His best known movie role is perhaps Ben Tuthill in the 1982 film Poltergeist. He has had roles in the films Mother, Jugs & Speed, Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol, Funland and Action Jackson and guest starred in TV series including M*A*S*H, Laverne & Shirley, Rhoda, The Six Million Dollar Man, Dallas, Happy Days, Night Court, Knight Rider, and The Golden Girls. He won a Writers Guild of America Award in 1982 for Steve Martin's All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special for "Best Variety, Musical, or Comedy."[1]

Career

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McManus was a series regular on the television sitcom Lewis & Clark as John, the bartender; the series lasted only one season of thirteen episodes.[2] He also guest starred in a number of popular television series including Mr. Belvedere, Growing Pains, Newhart, Full House, Alice, Diff'rent Strokes. Webster, Hunter, Married... with Children, and Columbo, among others. In 1989, he had a recurring role as Sid Wilson on the first season of Baywatch. McManus' last known screen acting appearance was in a 2001 episode of According to Jim.

He has also worked behind the camera, most notably as the producer and writer of the crime comedy film Mafia!, writer of All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special,[1] and as producer of Hot Shots! Part Deux.

Filmography

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Source:[3]

Year Title Role Notes
1975 When Things Were Rotten Guy Tinker
1976 Mother, Jugs & Speed Walker
1976 Monster Squad Allegro
1976 Rhoda Herb Buck
1976 Gemini Many Moose
1976-1977 Laverne and Shirley Herb Prange
1977 M*A*S*H Sgt. Ames
1977 Smokey and the Bandit Trucker 'Silver Tongued Devil'
1977 The World's Greatest Lover Yes Man #5
1977 The Kentucky Fried Movie Hornung (segment "Courtroom")
1978 The Six Million Dollar Man Guard Sims
1978 A Wild and Crazy Guy Self
1978 Family Mr. Lemon
1979 Dallas Matt
1981 Marie Writer
1981 Happy Days Sheriff
1981 All Commercials...A Steve Martin Special Writer
1981 Happy Days Sheriff
1981-1982 Lewis & Clark John
1982 Poltergeist Ben Tuthill
1982 Twilight Theater II Writer
1983 Dempsey Babe Ruth
1984 Remington Steele Ralph Kelsey
1985 Moving Violations Farmer #1
1985 Head Office Branch Kipp
1985 Alice Charlie
1985 Knight Rider Danny "Rooster" Roskovich
1985 Diff'rent Strokes Cal
1986 Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures Sluggo
1987-1988 Webster Calvin Berke
1987 Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol Todd
1987 Funland T. G. Hurley
1988 Action Jackson Lionel Grantham
1988-1989 Night Court Dr. Gordon Mooney
1989 Hunter Lou Mason
1989 The Golden Girls Sid LaBass
1989 Baywatch Sid LaBass
1990 Married... with Children Puggy
1990 Saved by the Bell Mr. Manfredi
1990 Doogie Howser, M.D. Roy Lester
1990 Coach Hoyt
1991 Shannon's Deal Bruce
1991 Step by Step Papa Larson
1992 Delta Roy
1992 Dear John Bruce
1993 Hot Shots! Part Deux Producer
1998 Mafia! Writer/Producer
2001 According to Jim Ben

References

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  1. ^ a b "Hill Street two films win writers' top honors" The Courier Journal, Page 15, March 27, 1982
  2. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present, page 784
  3. ^ "Michael McManus". IMDB. October 3, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
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