Fred McCarren
# Fred McCarren

Frederick West "Fred" McCarren (April 12, 1951 – July 2, 2006) was an American television and film actor. He gained recognition for his roles on the television series Amanda's (1983) and Hill Street Blues (1984).

## Life and career

McCarren was born on April 12, 1951, in Butler, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Butler Senior High School where he starred in several plays. After attending the University of Cincinnati and Point Park College, he left for a different kind of campus – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Florida – and instead of joining the circus afterward, he headed for New York City where he immediately found work in TV commercials.

A subsequent career in film and television followed soon thereafter from the late 1970s throughout the 1980s. He starred opposite Bea Arthur on the short-lived 1983 sitcom Amanda's and he later made guest appearances on television shows such as Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele and The Golden Girls.

McCarren married Lisa Hogan on December 30, 1982. After several years of living in Tarzana, California, the couple moved back to his native Pennsylvania in 1989 where they focused on raising their six children. He continued to work in both radio and television commercials and his voice was heard as the crazy Dr. Sanchez in radio spots for the Mad Mex restaurant chain, and he was seen as the coach in a series of TV commercials for Dick's Sporting Goods, as well as TV spots for PNC, PPG, Comcast and Builder's Surplus.

## Death

Fred McCarren died on July 2, 2006, at the age of 55 from colon cancer at Butler Memorial Hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, four sons and two daughters.

## Filmography

Film :

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1977 | The Goodbye Girl | Richard III Cast | |
| 1980 | Xanadu | Richie | |
| 1981 | The Boogens | Mark Kinner | |
| 1982 | Class Reunion | Gary Nash | |
| 1983 | The Star Chamber | Robert Karras | |
| 1983 | The American Snitch | Jeff Morton | |
| 1988 | The Boost | Tom | |
| Television ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1977 | Stick Around | Vance Keefer | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1977 | Tabitha | Jeff Baron | Episode: "What's Wrong with Mister Right?" |
| 1978 | On Our Own | | Episode: "The Bare Truth" |
| 1978 | Free Country | Sidney Gewertzman | Main cast (5 episodes) |
| 1978 | How to Pick Up Girls! | Donald Becker | TV movie |
| 1979 | Alice | Sean | Episode: "If the Shoe Fits" |
| 1979 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Neil Bishop | Episode: "The Big Heist" |
| 1979 | The Last Convertible | Paul McCreed | TV miniseries |
| 1980 | Family | Dan Epstein | Episode: "Hard Times" |
| 1980 | Goodtime Girls | George's friend | Episode: "Loose Lips" |
| 1980 | Marriage Is Alive and Well | Chris Dennis | TV film |
| 1981 | I'm a Big Girl Now | Boyfriend | Episode: "It's Him or Me" |
| 1981 | Here's Boomer | David | Episode: "The Prince and the Boomer" |
| 1981 | Red Flag: The Ultimate Game | Frank | TV movie |
| 1983 | Amanda's | Marty Cartwright | Main cast (13 episodes) |
| 1983 | At Ease | Jerry Gilmore | Episode: "A Tankful of Dollars" |
| 1983 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Marshall Holt | Episode: "Magic Bus" |
| 1983 | Remington Steele | Frank Dannon | Episode: "Altared Steele" |
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Stuart Casey | Recurring role (3 episodes) |
| 1984 | Lottery! | | Episode: "Honolulu: 3 - 2 = 1" |
| 1984 | Gimme a Break! | Tim Donovan | Episode: "New Orleans" (Parts 1 & 2) |
| 1984 | Brothers | Dennis | Episode: "Standards and Practices" |
| 1984 | Too Close for Comfort | Michael McKenna | Episode: "Quick on the Draw" |
| 1986 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Richard Wall | Episode: "When I Look Back on All the Things" |
| 1986 | It's a Living | Alan Steckler | Episode: "The Jerks" |
| 1987 | Shell Game | Vince Vanneman | Main cast (6 episodes) |
| 1987 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Marshall Holt | Episode: "Suitable for Framing" |
| 1987 | Throb | Wally | Episode: "Torn Between Two Lovers" |
| 1987 | Mr. President | Fred | Recurring role (2 episodes) |
| 1991 | The Golden Girls | Detective | Episode: "The Pope's Ring", (final appearance) |
