John Wheeler, actor and singer known for Star Trek and iconic McDonald’s commercial, dies at 95
John Wheeler, a versatile actor and singer who appeared in five Broadway musicals, guest-starred on Star Trek as Tellarite politician Ambassador Gav, and performed in a memorable McDonald’s commercial, has died at the age of 95.
Wheeler passed away Feb. 6 at his home in Claremont, California, his daughter Johanna Wheeler confirmed. His career spanned decades, with recurring roles on CBS’ The Dukes of Hazzard in 1982 as Mr. Rhuebottom and a portrayal of William Frawley in the 1991 CBS telefilm Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter.
He made his screen debut on Star Trek’s second-season episode “Journey to Babel” in 1967, playing Gav under heavy latex makeup and sharing a memorable scene with Mark Lenard’s Sarek. Wheeler also showcased his tenor voice in the 1971 choreographed musical commercial “Grab a Bucket and Mop,” appearing as a McDonald’s manager alongside John Amos and Robert Ridgely.
Born Johnnie Lee Wheeler Jr. on June 20, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas, he was the son of a railroad worker and a homemaker. Wheeler studied music at TCU and the University of the Pacific, graduating in 1952, and served in the U.S. Army for two years. He performed with the New York City Opera and appeared at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels in the musical Wonderful Town. He was also a member of the Grammy-winning Belafonte Singers and the DeCormier Singers, performing with folk and classical ensembles.
Wheeler made his Broadway debut in 1961 in The Happiest Girl in the World and appeared in Kean (1962), Café Crown (1964), I Had a Ball (1964), and Sweet Charity (1966). His film career included roles in Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969), Support Your Local Gunfighter (1971), Mame (1974), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979), and Apollo 13 (1995), among others.
On television, Wheeler appeared in multiple episodes of The Odd Couple, Green Acres, and The Brady Bunch, with additional appearances on shows including Then Came Bronson, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Happy Days, The Waltons, Night Court, The Golden Girls, and ER. He was also known for playing Santa Claus on a 1997 episode of Step by Step and in several holiday telefilms.
Wheeler is survived by his daughter Johanna, sons Christopher and Timothy, and grandson Brandon. He was married to Helen Wheeler from 1959 until her death in 2013.
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