Dick Cusack

Dick Cusack
Born Richard John Cusack
August 29, 1925
New York City, New York, United States
Died June 2, 2003 (aged 77)
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Occupation Actor, filmmaker
Years active 1970s–2003
Spouse(s) Nancy Cusack
Children John Cusack (son)
Bill Cusack (son)
Joan Cusack (daughter)
Ann Cusack (daughter)
Susie Cusack (daughter)

Richard John "Dick" Cusack[1] (August 29, 1925 – June 2, 2003) was an American actor and filmmaker.

Personal life

Cusack was born in New York City, the son of Margaret (née McFeeley) and Dennis Joseph Cusack.[2] His family was of Irish Catholic background.[3][4] He served with the U.S. Army in the Philippines in World War II. After the war Cusack attended College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he played basketball with Bob Cousy and roomed with Philip F. Berrigan, the peace activist.[1][5][6]

Cusack and his wife, Ann Paula "Nancy" (Carolan),[2][7] had five children: Ann Cusack, Bill Cusack, Susie Cusack, Joan Cusack, and John Cusack, all of whom followed him into the acting profession.[6]

Career

Until 1970 Cusack worked as a Clio Award winning advertising executive.

He then pursued a career as a film actor, beginning with minor roles. Most of his acting roles were playing authority figures, such as a United States Senate Chairman, minister/chaplain, and U.S. Secretary of State; he played a judge in the TV movie Overexposed, and in theatrical releases Things Change and Eight Men Out.

Cusack was a documentary filmmaker.[8] His 1971 abortion documentary The Committee won an Emmy Award. He also owned a film production company[9]

He was honored with an award from the Evanston Arts Council for preserving a school and converting it into the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, which houses the Piven Theatre Workshop where his famous acting children trained. Two weeks prior to his death, he completed the final draft of a play to memorialize his former college roommate entitled, Backoff Barkman, which was produced posthumously in the Midwest.

Death

Dick Cusack died on June 2, 2003 in Evanston, Illinois from pancreatic cancer.[6]


Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1980 My Bodyguard Principal Roth
1983 Class Chaplain Baker
1984 The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck Unknown Television film
1988 Things Change Judge
1988 Eight Men Out Judge Friend
1989 The Package Secretary of State
1990 Crazy People Mort
1992 Overexposed Judge Television film
1993 The Fugitive Attorney Walter Gutherie
1995 While You Were Sleeping Doctor Rubin
1996 Chain Reaction Senate Chairman
1996 Evil Has a Face Lester Television film
1999 The Jack Bull Jury Foreman Television film
2000 Return to Me Mr. Bennington
2000 High Fidelity Minister

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Missing Persons Champion Episode: "If You Could Pick Your Own Parents..."
1987 Sable Mahoney Episode: "Watchdogs"
1997 Early Edition Elderly Man Episode: "The Wall: Part 2"

Awards

Year Award Result Notes
2000 Commitment to Chicago Award Won Shared with his wife and children

References

  1. 1 2 Martin, Douglas, "Dick Cusack, Playwright, 77, And an Actor", The New York Times, June 04, 2003
  2. 1 2 "Miss Carolan, Newton Centre, Is Bride of Richard Cusack". Daily Boston Globe. February 14, 1960.
  3. ↑ http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2012/0309/1224313045621.html
  4. ↑ "Quiet man Cusack boards the ark". Irish Independent. November 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ Actor John Cusack on Hitler, politics and his movie 'Max', Beliefnet.com
  6. 1 2 3 Mark Caro (3 June 2003). "Obituary: Richard Cusack, 77 - Ad man, playwright who led acting clan". Chicago Tribune.
  7. ↑ "Newton Girl Plans February Wedding". Daily Boston Globe. December 6, 1959.
  8. ↑ "Being John Cusack" The Guardian, 1 July 2000
  9. ↑ "Joan Cusack biography", Film Reference.com.

External links

Richard "Dick" Cusack at Find a Grave

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