'Night Court' Star Richard Moll Dead at 80

Richard Moll, the actor best known for his role on Night Court, has died. He was 80.

A rep for the actor confirmed the news to PEOPLE, saying Moll died peacefully in his home in Big Bear Lake on Thursday.

Moll was born in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 13, 1943 and was the youngest of three children. After graduating the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in History, he pursued his love for acting — though his roles were initially limited due to his tall stature.

With his deep voice and 6'8" frame, Moll eventually became a household name for his portrayal of Bull Shannon, a bailiff, in Night Court from 1984 to 1992.

The Emmy-nominated NBC sitcom, which also starred Harry Anderson and John Larroquette, ran for nine seasons and followed young judge Harold "Harry" T. Stone (Anderson) as he presided over a Manhattan Criminal Court during the night shift.

Moll, who had a shaved head for the role, quickly became a fan favorite for his catchphrase "Ooo-kay" after his character realized he made a mistake. He was not involved when Night Court was rebooted to NBC for the 2022-23 season.

In 1985, Moll was nominated for a Saturn award for his performance in a horror movie called House. His career then transcended into animation and voiced Harvey Dent/Two-Face on The Adventures of Batman & Robin, as well as Scorpion on Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

The actor also starred in The Flintstones, Jingle All the Way, Casper Meets Wendy and Scary Movie 2. He also snagged a recurring role in Getting By, a sitcom that starred Cindy Williams, and lent his voice to a bodyguard in an animated series titled Mighty Max. 

Though he often “relished” the opportunity to play the “bad guy,” in 1999 Moll was cast against type and took on the role of a gay man who shepherded teenagers suspected of being queer to in a “re-education camp” in a satirical romcom called But I’m a Cheerleader. 

His other appearances in television included Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, 7th Heaven, Smallville, No Place Like Home, Cold Case and Headless Horseman.

As an avid bird watcher and lover of the outdoors, Moll eventually retired in a mountain community in Big Bear Lake. 

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He is survived by his children Chloe and Mason Moll, his ex-wife Susan Moll and his stepchildren Cassandra Card and Morgan Ostling.

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