Richard Deacon (May 14, 1921 – August 8, 1984), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American television and motion picture actor.1  1 Career.areer [edit]. This tall, bald and usually bespectacled character actor often portrayed pompous, prissy, and/or imperious figures. He made appearances on The Jack Benny Program as a salesman and a barber, and on NBC 's Happy as a hotel manager.