William O'Connell died on January 15 at the age of 94 at his Sherman Oaks mansion, Deadline reported Thursday.
A family friend has confirmed the death of the veteran actor, who was famous for his varied roles in television and film in the 60s and 70s. deadline. Details regarding the cause of death have not been released. O'Connell, 94, left a legacy marked by his skillful portrayal of a variety of characters, including the standout villain on “Star Trek” and multiple antagonists opposite Clint Eastwood.
William O'Connell, memorable Star Trek villain and foil in Clint Eastwood films, dies at 94 https://t.co/S4XnIXyY9l
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 1, 2024
Born May 12, 1929 in Los Angeles, O'Connell served as a lieutenant in the 45th Infantry during the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star. O'Connell's career was marked by memorable appearances across numerous television series in the 1960s, the outlet reported. He played a number of minor but memorable roles, from flag bearer to taxi driver, on shows as diverse as “Highway Patrol,'' “Peter Gunn,'' and “The Twilight Zone.'' His versatility was demonstrated by guest appearances on Dennis the Menace, My Three Sons, The Outer Limits, Bonanza, The Munsters, Batman, and The Lucy Show. It shined. (Related: 'Star Trek' actor dies suddenly at age 73, ex-wife speaks out)
1967 was a pivotal year for O'Connell, as he played Telef in the “Voyage to Babel” episode of Star Trek., Deadline reports that a cunning Orion agent disguised as Ambassador Andoria is trying to sabotage the Enterprise. Although his plan was thwarted, his character left a lasting impact when he wounded Captain James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, with a poisoned knife.
O'Connell has also made significant contributions to the film industry, including “Paint Your Wagon,'' “High Plains Drifter,'' “Josie Wales,'' “Every Which Way But Loose,'' and He frequently co-starred with Eastwood in films such as its sequel, Every Which Way But Loose. You can do it any way you like. ” These roles often saw him as a formidable antagonist, and showed off his range and depth as an actor.