William O’Connell, a beloved actor who starred in iconic films and TV shows such as Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, and Batman (1966), has passed away at the age of 94. According to a friend who announced the news to Deadline, the actor passed away at his home in Sherman Oaks, California on January 15. The cause of his death has yet to be disclosed.
O’Connell’s biggest contributions to the entertainment industry were made in the 1960s and 1970s, mainly in collaboration with Clint Eastwood. The two first worked together on the 1969 musical, Paint Your Wagon, and went on to star in a number of films directed by Eastwood, including High Plains Drifter and The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Born in Los Angeles, California in 1929, O’Connell is perhaps best known for his memorable role in season two of the sci-fi classic, Star Trek. In the episode Journey To Babel, he played the role of Thelev, an Orion agent who posed as an Andorian ambassador in an attempt to destroy the USS Enterprise. Although his mission ultimately failed, he managed to stab Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner) before poisoning himself and causing his ship to self-destruct.
O’Connell had a long and impressive acting career both on the big and small screens, appearing in titles such as Every Which Way But Loose, an episode of Charlie’s Angels, and Kolchak: The Night Stalker. He was also noted for his last role in the 1991 horror movie, The Haunted, in which he played Father Kearney. His passing marks the end of an era for fans of classic Hollywood and sci-fi fandom alike
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