R.I.P. Ronnie Schell, Duke Slater of Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.
After Gomer Pyle, he provided voices on dozens of cartoons over a decades-long career. The actor was 94 years old.
Ronnie Schell, best known for his role as Gomer Pyle’s best friend in the Andy Griffith Show spinoff Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., has passed away.
Schell was cast as Pvt. Duke Slater on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. starting from the first season. His character was written off when Schell left the show to star on another CBS comedy, Good Morning World.
However, after the show was cancelled after one season, his character returned to Gomer Pyle with a promotion to corporal.
After Gomer Pyle ended, Schell followed Jim Nabors to The Jim Nabors Hour. He also appeared in classic Disney films, such as The Shaggy D.A., The Cat from Outer Space, and Gus.
In his later career, he worked extensively as a voice actor, lending his voice to everything from The Smurfs, Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School, DuckTales, and more. He continued working well into the 2000s, including millennial cartoon favorites like Recess, Rugrats, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.
The actor was 94 years old.
