October 28, 2004
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RICHARD MARION
When I was first starting out in 1996-97, I took a sitcom class taught by this amazing actor, Richard Marion. He was best known for playing “Boner” Stabone’s Dad in “Growing Pains”. I still remember the dialogue of how he was introduced on the show.
MIKEY takes a glance at the lettering on BONER’s mailbox.
MIKEY: Boner, your Dad’s name is “Sylvester”?
BONER: Uh, yeah.
MIKEY: “Sylvester Stabone?”
Hahahhahaha! So when I first met Richard and he said he played “Boner’s” Dad, I immediately blurted out, “You’re Sylvester Stabone!”
Anyway, Richard eventually went onto directing a then little known show called, “Everybody Loves Raymond”. But halfway through his directing chores, he had a heart attack and passed away in July 1999. When Ray Romano accepted his first Actor Emmy win in 2002, one of his thanks went out to Richard Marion.
The weird thing was that I heard about his death from a fellow student (who I hadn’t seen in years). And that very night a few hours later, was a re-run of my very first sitcom gig “Caroline in the City” playing on late night TV. Everything I knew about the sitcom format was from Richard. And I never would have gotten that role without his instruction.
In the next few entries entitled, “Sitcom Skool“, I’ll share some of his insights into the crazy 30-minute format world that is known as: The Sitcom.
Comments (9)
i remember that episode too! wow, i had no idea he did so well….
NICE. STABONE. Classic.
Looking forward to it…
CLASSiC ;] leevn u some PRPSSS
I…heart…Growing Pains!
lol~ Sylvester Stabone.
That brings back memories (and makes me realize how old we’re getting). By the way, what was Boner’s full name on Growing Pains? It was something almost as ridiculous as Sylvester Stabone, wasn’t it?
I can’t believe “Boner” passed away already! He was so young. How come IMDb has Richard Marion’s name down as Andrew Koening or Josh(ua) Koening instead?
Oh, man, Growing Pains was a great show. The thing I remember most is the episode about Mike’s/Ben’s/Stinky’s paper route and getting “paper boy’s crotch.”
Wait, did Mr. Stabone, or Boner die? I stay confused! uhhh, I can’t believe the censors let a character named BONER on the show. That’s too funny…wasn’t Boner a “bad” word back then?! ahahahahaha…what were they thinking!? YOU ARE COOL!!!! You should do something in Hawaii….get on the show Lost or Hawaii…that would be cool.