Will and Grace actor dies at 95 as heartbroken son pays tribute! – Story Of The Day!

However, reducing Stevenson’s career to a single role behind a bar would overlook the vast breadth of his contributions to American cinema and television. He was a master of the “working actor” ethos, a man whose face was instantly recognizable even if his name didn’t always top the marquee. He made his professional on-screen debut in 1982 in the series Voyagers! and quickly became a staple of the industry’s golden age of character acting. His filmography reads like a checklist of modern classics; he lent his talents to the slapstick brilliance of The Naked Gun, the stylized world of Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, the high-concept sci-fi of Men in Black, and the thoughtful social commentary of Pleasantville and Ghost World.

Television was where Stevenson truly became a ubiquitous presence. His credits spanned the history of the medium’s most prestigious and popular programs. From the multi-cam warmth of Cheers, Family Matters, and Everybody Loves Raymond to the prestige drama of L.A. Law, Dynasty, and Murder, She Wrote, Stevenson was the reliable professional directors called upon to add a layer of authenticity to any scene. In more recent years, he transitioned seamlessly into the “single-cam” era of comedy, appearing in cult favorites and critical darlings like The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, My Name Is Earl, and Weeds.

In a touching tribute shared with Variety, his son Scott offered a glimpse into the humble and humorous way his father viewed his own professional niche. Because of his dignified bearing and white hair, Stevenson was frequently cast in religious roles, playing priests, ministers, or judges. “In his own words,” Scott shared, “his job was ‘marrying or burying people.’” Stevenson often joked about the unique challenges of being a character actor in these roles, recalling how directors would frequently panic when they realized they hadn’t scripted enough dialogue to cover the physical action of a ceremony. He became an expert at improvising the “unscripted space” between the opening greeting and the final “amen,” ensuring that the scene felt lived-in and real even when the camera wasn’t focused on him.

This ability to “fill the space” was a testament to his training and his life experience. Born and raised in Piedmont, California, Stevenson’s journey to the stage and screen was not a direct one. He served his country in the Navy during the Korean War, an experience that likely contributed to the discipline and stoicism he brought to his roles. Following his service, he pursued an English degree at UC Berkeley, grounding his later performances in a deep appreciation for language and storytelling.

Beyond the set, Stevenson lived a life defined by family and long-standing personal connections. He was married to Barbara Keller, with whom he shared two children, Charles III and Valerie. He later found partnership with the late talent agent Joy Stevenson, with whom he raised three children: Catherine, Scott, and William. His legacy is carried forward not just through his IMDb page, but through a sprawling family tree that includes five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.