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Liam Dunn (November 12, 1916 – April 11, 1976) was an American character actor. The New Jersey native's early career was spent toiling in television in series such as Bonanza, Room 222, Alias Smith and Jones, Mannix, and Gunsmoke. Dunn's breakout role was as the judge (and Barbra Streisand's father) in the 1972 film What's Up, Doc?, in which he was noticed by Mel Brooks, who was in the process of forming a stock company of actors. Dunn went on to appear in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Silent Movie for the director. He frequently portrayed characters who were verbally and/or... MORE

Liam Dunn (November 12, 1916 – April 11, 1976) was an American character actor. The New Jersey native's early career was spent toiling in television in series such as Bonanza, Room 222, Alias Smith and Jones, Mannix, and Gunsmoke. Dunn's breakout role was as the judge (and Barbra Streisand's father) in the 1972 film What's Up, Doc?, in which he was noticed by Mel Brooks, who was in the process of forming a stock company of actors. Dunn went on to appear in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Silent Movie for the director. He frequently portrayed characters who were verbally and/or physically abused in a slapstick way. Additional credits include Twigs, Barney Miller, McMillan & Wife, Rhoda, Sanford and Son,The Mary Tyler Moore Show and several episodes of the Disney anthology television series. Liam Dunn died on April 11, 1976, from emphysema in Granada Hills, California. Though only 59 at his death, he always looked much older, and was cast accordingly. LESS