Dick Miller: Movies & Box Office

Richard Miller, more commonly known as Dick Miller, was an American character actor revered for his contributions to over 180 films. Born on Christmas Day in 1928 in The Bronx, New York, Miller's career spanned from 1955 to 2019, making him a dynamic and enduring figure within the industry. Known for his portrayals of the beleaguered everyman, Miller held the distinctive honor of appearing in every film directed by Joe Dante. His notable appearances include 'A Bucket of Blood (1959)', 'The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)', 'Gremlins (1984)', and 'The Terminator (1984)'. Interestingly, many of these projects were led by directors who had kickstarted their careers with Roger Corman, testifying to Miller's demand across generations of filmmakers.

In addition to his movie roles, Miller tapped into TV projects and music videos, further demonstrating his versatile acting chops. He had a stint on Broadway, contributed to the 1963 TV Western 'Gunsmoke', the crime spoof series 'Police Squad!' with Leslie Nielsen and even made a cameo in Rod Stewart's video for the song 'Infatuation' in 1984. He also lent his voice to the animated feature film 'Batman: Mask of the Phantasm'. In a recurring theme throughout his career, Miller portrayed various characters named Walter Paisley across different productions. The capstone to his distinguished career was a documentary titled 'That Guy Dick Miller' released in 2014. However, beyond his acting prowess, Miller was also recognized for his academic proficiency with a PhD in psychology, which reflects his profound intellectual depth.