René Auberjonois passed away today at the age of 79 from metastatic lung cancer, according to AP.
René Auberjonois started out on Broadway, but his life changed in 1970 when he starred in the big screen version of M*A*S*H as Father Mulcahy. He took on several roles for after that. Then in 1980, the actor landed a part that made him unforgettable. He played the uptight and stuffy Clayton Endicott, III, on Benson. He and his mustache became iconic as his character picked on co-workers at the governor’s office, and they put him in his place.
In 1993, the actor had a whole new group of followers, thanks to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Years later, he would work with Star Trek legend, William Shatner, in Boston Legal. His character was there to keep everyone in order. Something, he was never able to do.
While he is most notable for his TV work, he was also the voice of so many animated characters we love. You heard him in The Little Mermaid, The Smurfs, and Snorks, to name a few.
We might not have been able to say his last name, but we are always able to recognize him. Today, let’s honor the actor by recognizing him in one of his many roles.
Auberjonois is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith, their two children, and three grandchildren.
