Roger Carmel was a versatile and charismatic actor who appeared in many TV shows and movies in the 1960s and 1970s. He is best remembered for his role as Harry Mudd, the charming but unscrupulous intergalactic con man, in two episodes of the original Star Trek series. But how did Roger Carmel die, and what led to his tragic demise at the age of 54?
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Early Life and Career
Roger Charles Carmel was born on September 27, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York. He was named after his grandfather, who carved the horses for the carousel in Central Park. He began his acting career on Broadway, where he originated several roles in plays such as Caligula, Purlie Victorious, and The Irregular Verb to Love. He also replaced other actors in successful shows like A Man for All Seasons and Half a Sixpence.
Carmel made his transition to television in the late 1950s, appearing in both dramas and comedies. He guest-starred on popular shows like The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Munsters, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hogan’s Heroes, and I Dream of Jeannie. He also played Colonel Gumm, a villain who used stamps as weapons, on two episodes of Batman.
Star Trek Fame and Controversy
Carmel’s most famous role came in 1966, when he was cast as Harry Mudd in the Star Trek episode “Mudd’s Women”. He reprised the role in 1967 in the episode “I, Mudd”, becoming one of the few actors to play the same character more than once on the show. Carmel’s portrayal of Mudd was humorous and charismatic, making him a fan favorite. He also voiced Mudd in an episode of Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973.
However, Carmel’s Star Trek fame also led to some controversy. In 1967, he was hired to play Roger Buell, the husband of Kaye Ballard’s character, on the NBC sitcom The Mothers-in-Law. The show was produced by Desi Arnaz, who had previously created I Love Lucy. The show had mediocre ratings and was almost canceled after its first season. NBC decided to renew it for a second season, but without giving any additional money to Arnaz.
Arnaz then asked the cast and crew to forgo their salary increases for the second season, claiming that the show had a five-year guarantee. All of them agreed except for Carmel, who demanded a raise as per his contract. Carmel also accused Arnaz of taking four salaries from the show as producer, creator, writer, and director. Arnaz refused to give in to Carmel’s ultimatum and fired him from the show. He was replaced by Richard Deacon for the second season. The show was canceled after its second season.
Later Years and Death
Carmel continued to work as an actor after leaving The Mothers-in-Law. He appeared in movies like Gambit, Myra Breckinridge, Breezy, Thunder and Lightning, and Hardly Working. He also did voice-over work for commercials and animated shows. He voiced Smokey Bear in fire safety ads and Cyclonus, a villainous robot, in Transformers: The Movie and Transformers: The Animated Series.
However, Carmel also struggled with personal problems. He had a history of alcoholism and drug abuse, which affected his health and career. He was found dead in his Hollywood apartment on November 11, 1986. His death certificate listed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as the cause of death. This is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and weakens the heart’s ability to pump blood. Prior to his autopsy, police had speculated that he died of a drug overdose.
Carmel was buried in New Mount Carmel Cemetery in Glendale, Queens, New York City. He was 54 years old.
Legacy and Influence
Roger Carmel left behind a legacy of memorable performances and characters. His role as Harry Mudd is considered one of the most iconic villains in Star Trek history. He was also one of the first actors to play a recurring character on multiple Star Trek series. His character has been referenced or reprised by other actors in Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Short Treks.
Carmel also influenced other actors and comedians with his style and humor. For example, John Candy cited Carmel as one of his inspirations for his role as Barf in Spaceballs. Carmel’s voice work for Transformers also earned him a loyal fan base among animation enthusiasts.
Roger Carmel was a talented and charismatic actor who brought joy and laughter to many viewers. His cause of death was tragic and premature, but his legacy lives on through his work and fans.
