Burly, round-faced actor and comedian who has also written material for the screen and other comedians, Royce Applegate has worked on the comedy stage, in TV, in films, and even as an ADR (foley) performer in his 20-plus years in Hollywood, but probably earned his best exposure as the blue-collar, no-nonsense Chief Manilow Crocker on the NBC series "seaQuest DSV," on which he appeared during the 1993-94 season, and as the grieving husband whose wife is murdered by a serial killer in William Friedkin's "Rampage" (1992). Applegate left a corporate job at a drug firm to become a folk music DJ and comedian in Dallas, Texas. After performing at The Rubiyat there, he became the opening act for Jose Feliciano on tour, and also performed at Playboy Clubs throughout the U.S. He matriculated to Hollywood, performing an act that was a cross between hip and hick, done in the thick Oklahoma accent of his youth. He began to write for other comics, including John Candy's radio show, and also won roles on such series as "That Girl." By the late 70s, Applegate was appearing on TV and in films with regularity. On TV, he was opposite Yvette Mimieux in the 1978 TV movie "Outside Chance," and in 1979 played the aptly-named race car driver Johnny Hurricane in "Hot Rod" for ABC. He appeared in the pilot of "Stir Crazy," a short-lived 1985 CBS series, as Crawford, the cowboy murderer, but was replaced for the series itself. In 1987, he made several appearances on "Houston Knights," also on CBS, and in 1990 was Deputy Winter, one of the murderous brood of in "Murder in Mississippi," the NBC telling of the Schwermer-Chaney-Goodman assassinations. "seaQuest DSV," in which Applegate was Chief Crocker, Roy Scheider's friend, followed, but Applegate was only on the NBC series' first season, being dropped from the cast due to budgetary and demographic concerns after the first season. In feature films, Applegate has had many small roles, including townsperson Dutch in "Harper Valley, PTA" (1978) and in the "Coming Attractions" segment of "The History of the World Part I" for Mel Brooks" in 1981. A more substantial part was for Friedkin in "Rampage" (1992). Applegate has also been occasionally active as a writer in both TV and motion pictures. He wrote episodes of "Welcome Back, Kotter," in the 70s. In 1977, he contributed the original story to "God Bless Dr. Shagetz," his first feature film credit, and co-wrote the screenplay for "Loose Shoes," a 1981 film lampooning coming-attraction trailers and starring many comedians including Buddy Hackett and Steve Landesberg. Toward the end of his career, Applegate could frequently be found on both the small screen--guest-starring on series such as "JAG" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as well as appearing in well-regarded pay-cable telepics including "Phoenix" (1998), "Poodle Springs" (1998) and "Inherit the Wind" (1999)--and on the big screen in supporting roles in major films such as the 1994 remake of "The Getaway", "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" (2000), "The Rook ie" (2002) and "Gods and Generals" (2003) before his unexpected death at age 63 on New Year's Day in a blaze at his Hollywood Hills home.
Profession(s):
Actor, screenwriter, comedian, disc jockey, corporate executive
Sometimes Credited As:
2003 Appeared as Brig. Gen. James L. Kemper in the civil war drama "Gods and Generals"
2002 Cast in the baseball-themed family film "The Rookie"
2000 Had a role in the Coen Brothers film "O Brother, Where Art Thou"
1999 Co-starred in the Showtime telepic "Inherit the Wind" starring Jack Lemmon and George C. Scott
1998 Appeared in the HBO telepics "Phoenix" and "Poodle Springs"
1998 Voiced a lovable canine in "Dr. Dolittle"
1994 Featured as a gun shop salesman in "The Getaway" remake
1993 - 1994 Appeared on "Seaquest DSV" as Chief Manilow Crocker
1992 Co-starred in "Rampage" for director William Friedkin
1990 Co-starred as murderous Deputy Winter in TV movie "Murder in Mississippi
1985 Appeared as Deputy Crawford on "Stir Crazy" pilot (CBS)
1981 Co-wrote feature film, "Loose Shoes"
1978 Made feature film debut, "Harper Valley, PTA"; played opposite Yvette Mimieux in TV movie, "Outside Chance"
1977 Contributed original story to feature film, "God Bless Dr. Shagetz"
Was executive with drug firm
Had regular gig as folk music disk jockey on a Dallas radio station in late 60s
Began appearing as comedian at Dallas Club, The Rubiyat
Toured in 21 cities as opening act for Jose Feliciano
Moved to Hollywood, became member of The Committee comedy troupe
Made TV acting debut in episode of "That Girl"
