Paul Carr

LOS ANGELES--Prolific actor Paul Carr, whose career in films, on television and on stage spanned more than 40 years, died here February 17th of cancer. He was 72. MSTies will recall his smooth portrayal of physician/ski bum Dr. Kipling in the movie in episode 1010- BAT PEOPLE (aka THEY LIVE BY NIGHT).

Born in New Orleans, he spent childhood winters with his mother in the nearby town of Marrero and summers with his father in New York. Initially interested in music, he studied the clarinet at Julliard, but caught the acting bug as a teenager. After a stint in the Marine Corps, he found his first professional acting jobs in local theater in New Orleans. In the early 1950s he moved to New York City, and found work in summer stock, Broadway plays and live television including "Studio One" and "Kraft Television Theater." To make ends meet, he also worked as a window dresser.

He made his movie debut in 1955 with a small uncredited role in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man." He eventually moved to the West Coast, and appeared in teen films "The Young Don't Cry" and "Jamboree" in 1957.

But TV soon came to dominate his time. He appeared in hundreds of series, "Rawhide," "The Rifleman" and "The Virginian" to "77 Sunset Strip," "Dr. Kildare," and "Twelve O'Clock High." He had recurring roles on series such as "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Combat." Trekkers will recall his performance, in an early episode of the original "Star Trek" series, as affable, doomed helmsman Lt. Kelso. Soap opera fans will remember him as young doctor Bill Horton on "Days of Our Lives". He also did stints on "General Hospital" and "The Doctors."

He appeared in nearly 100 stage productions on Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway, as well as touring companies, stock, and in regional theatres around the country. He received the LA Weekly Award for Best Actor in the Theatre East production of "Manhattan Express" in 1987 and a 1995 Dramalogue Award for his role in the Los Angeles Repertory production of "Assassins". Other feature film roles included work in "Eat a Bowl of Tea," "Truckstop Women" and "Ben." Later TV work included appearances in "Dallas," "Murphy Brown," "Quincy," "The Rockford Files" and "Murder She Wrote." Carr was also a writer and director, and headed the Play Committee of the LA Repertory Company. He and wife Meryl ran a health food business under the label 'Love In The Kitchen.'

He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters and two granddaughters.