Robert Machray, a veteran actor known for roles in Cheers as well as numerous other sitcoms and Broadway shows, died at his home in North Hollywood on Sunday. He was 79.
Machray’s husband, Luigi Camperchioli, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor passed away after suffering two strokes and enduring a brief battle with dementia.
Machray is best remembered for playing Fire Marshal Dobbins on Cheers from 1990–1993, appearing in four episodes across seasons eight, nine, and 11. Dobbins was often the subject of pranks, both knowing and unknowing, pulled by Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and the rest of the eponymous bar’s staff. He appeared in dozens of other sitcoms throughout his nearly 50-year career, including Operation Petticoat; Three’s Company; Roseanne; Sister, Sister; Suddenly Susan; and The Drew Carey Show.
Machray appeared in only a handful of films, but many attained a fervent if dubious cult status. He played an ill-fated teacher in the late-era slasher Cutting Class (1993), opposite Brad Pitt in his first film role; Mr. Potter in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-directed remake of Christmas in Connecticut (1992); and a humiliated diner who tangles with Dana Carvey in Master of Disguise (2002). He also voiced an Imperial Base Commander in the video game Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III – Rebel Strike (2003).