Richard Crenna Biography

Fast Facts

• Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6714 Hollywood Boulevard
• Following high school, he served in WWII as a radio operator and later attended the University of Southern California
• His radio career started in 1937, playing the role of "the kid who did everything wrong" on "Boy Scout Jamboree," and continued to remain on the show until 1948
• Passed away in 2003 at the age of 76 due to complications from pancreatic cancer
• Best known for one of his earliest roles on "The Real McCoys", several episodes of which he would direct as well
• He initially got his start in radio and made his silver screen debut with "Our Miss Brooks" when the radio program moved to television
• Before his death he was playing the recurring character Jared Duff in "Judging Amy," who died in the series following his death from pancreatic cancer
• His character in "Hot Shots! Part Deux" is modeled after an old character he had on "Our Miss Brooks․"
• Participated in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII as a member of the U․S․ Army infantry
• While attending the University of Southern California he was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity