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Hi all,
I was very saddened today to learn Mr. Ronnie Schell died last night in his sleep. He was 94 years old. The news came from his family on his Facebook account. Please watch the tribute video his wife, Janet and sons Christian and Gregory, posted at that link.
It’s very hard to hear of his passing since he was always such a vibrant and present person. He was always as excited to share stories from his incredible career as he was to hear from fans who loved what he did.
Mr. Schell was born December 23, 1931 in Richmond, California, USA. He was jokingly called “America’s slowest-rising comedian” by a DJ early on and he wore the description proudly for the rest of his career. Whether you knew him as a stand-up comic or from any number of his countless television appearances from the early 1960s through to the 2020s, he was always entertaining. His career highlights included a semi-regular role in Gomer Pyle, USMC, episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and the co-lead in the 1967 sitcom, Good Morning, World. Kids in the 1970s knew him as Jake the cat in Disney’s film, The Cat From Outer Space (he also had an on-camera role in the film, but his voice was dubbed by someone else). That same year of 1978 he also took on the role of Jason in Battle of the Planets. But I’m sure most of you here knew that already!
He absolutely loved his fans and made a lot of personal appearances, especially in later years. He traveled to comic conventions all around the US, and Canada. Once all the way to Supanova in Australia. One of his favorite events was the yearly Mayberry Days events in Mount Airy, North Carolina (Andy Griffith’s hometown).
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He had many interactions with fellow Battle of the Planets fans. One of the first, where he really realized the effect the series had on people was at the 2002 San Diego Comic-Con. He, Casey Kasem and Jason Waldo were present for a showing of a Battle episode, Q&A after, and then a couple hours signing items for fans. None had experienced anything for the series at that level and it left a huge impression on all of them. After that, Mr. Schell made sure he had images of Jason to sign for fans at personal appearances.
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On a personal level, Mr. Schell was very kind to me. Once he arranged for me to sit beside him at a day-long comic convention appearance in Los Angeles. Another time he joined some friends and me for a private tour of the studio where the Battle voice actors recorded their lines. I mention these because they were the types of things that showed his kindness and consideration. He had no reason to want me at his side all day, or take the time to meet us at the studio. But he did, and each time provided treasured memories.
He was always ready with a story. If it was something that happened the night before, or 30 years earlier, he had a tale that tied in with whatever subject being discussed. It was amazing! I know he kept scrapbooks of photos from nearly every job he had, along with the stories behind them. I really hope they’re collected someday so his fans can enjoy all of his fun memories.
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I'm sure his many fans will miss hearing from him and miss the opportunity to meet him at shows. Thanks for all the laughs through the years, and for a character Battle of the Planets fans were thrilled to see on TV!
Rest in peace, Mr. Schell.
