Richard Rust was an American actor who appeared in several films and TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for his role as a young lawyer in NBC’s Sam Benedict series. However, his promising career was cut short by his sudden death in 1994. What was the cause of death of Richard Rust? How did he die at the age of 56? Here is what we know.
Early Life and Career of Richard Rust
Richard Rust was born on July 13, 1938, in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended a boarding school in Massachusetts and later majored in drama at the University of Miami, where he was also an archery champion. He then moved to New York and studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse, a prestigious acting school.
Rust made his professional debut in a 1951 production of The Milky Way at Southbury Playhouse in Connecticut. He then appeared in several Broadway plays, such as The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, The Andersonville Trial, and The Crucible. He also acted in off-Broadway productions, such as The Balcony and The Zoo Story.
Rust made his film debut in 1955 with a small role in The Phenix City Story, a crime drama based on a true story. He then starred in several westerns, such as Comanche Station, Taras Bulba, and Alvarez Kelly. He also played supporting roles in dramas, such as Underworld U.S.A., Walk on the Wild Side, and Homicidal.
Rust also had a successful TV career, appearing in popular shows such as Perry Mason, The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, and The Virginian. His most notable TV role was as Hank Tabor, a young lawyer who worked with Sam Benedict (Edmond O’Brien), a prominent San Francisco attorney. The show ran for one season from 1962 to 1963 and received positive reviews.
Richard Rust’s Death and Cause of Death
Richard Rust died on November 9, 1994, in Los Angeles, California. He was 56 years old. According to Dead or Kicking, his cause of death was a heart attack. No other details about his death are available.
Rust was survived by his wife, Barbara Rust, whom he married in 1961. They had two children together: a son named Christopher and a daughter named Jennifer. Rust also had a daughter named Lisa from a previous marriage.
Rust’s death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and versatile actor. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances in film and TV that are still appreciated today.
