Designing Women actor, Richard Gilliland, who married his co-star Jean Smart has died at the age of 71.
The pair were married for more than 30 years and performed together on stage and screen before his death last week.
The star died after a ‘short illness’, People reports.
Prior to his death, he and Jean were due to work together again this summer in a film directed by Tate Taylor called Breaking News In Yuba County.
He met his wife on the set of Designing Women in 1986 which he had a recurring role as the love interest of one of the leads, Mary Jo Shively, played by Annie Potts.
Jean recalled their first meeting in an interview, saying: “I met him when he was kissing someone else.”
She then asked fellow cast member Delta Burke to find out if Gilliland was single and added: “Naturally, Delta walked up to him and blurted, ‘Jean wants to know if you’re married.'”
Jean said she then “lured” him to her dressing room on the pretext of helping her with a crossword puzzle and the rest was history.
(Image: Getty Images)
The couple tied the knot in June 1987.
Richard got his career start after he took on the role of Jesus in Godspell at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, opposite Joe Mantegna’s Judas.
He then moved to Hollywood and appeared Operation Petticoat, Just Our Luck and McMillan and Heartland.
He then became a fan favourite starring in episodes of Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Night Court, Judging Amy, 24, CSI, Criminal Minds, Dexter, Scandal, Desperate Housewives and Murder, She Wrote.
(Image: Getty Images)
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Joe Mantegna led the tributes tweeting: “GODSPELL 1972. He was Jesus and I was Judas. Beginning a friendship of 50 yrs. In June of ‘87 within 78 hours I was best man at his wedding and he became a godfather of my 1st child. I, my wife and children mourn the passing of a great a friend. R. I. P. Richard Gilliland.”
Annie Potts tweeted a picture from the set of Designing Women with the caption: “Sweet Richard. You are missed already. Please say hello to Dixie and Hal, Meschach and Alice. Table read Monday. Love, Annie.”
Richard is survived by his wife as well as the couple’s two children, 31-year-old son Connor and 12-year-old daughter Bonnie Kathleen.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
