- Deacon was an expert cook and wrote a book on microwave cooking that sold 1.7 million copies and had a syndicated Canadian TV cooking show. At the time of his death he was working on a cooking video.
- Was stricken with polio at age 11 and took up dancing in an effort to build up his weakened legs.
- Imposing, bald-pated, bespectacled character actor, best known for playing imperious authority figure types. In private life, a bookish man and a renowned gourmet chef.
- Lived in Binghamton, NY from the age of 10 until heading to the Army. Richard lived a mile from The Twilight Zone (1959) creator Rod Serling throughout childhood. Richard graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1938.
- Was friends with Barbara Billingsley and Dick Van Dyke.
- Attended Ithaca College as a Drama major for two years and later became the actor in residence at Bennington College for a semester.
- Made his film debut in Désirée (1954) and considered it his favorite role.
- He never married.
- He was a lifelong liberal Democrat.
- He was cremated at Grandview Crematory. The funeral director was from Westwood Village Mortuary.
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