Richard Dimitri Dies: ‘When Things Were Rotten’, ‘Johnny Dangerously’ Actor Was 83

Richard Dimitri, the actor who played twins Bertram and Renaldo in Mel Brooks’ short-lived 1975 sitcom When Things Were Rotten and later appeared opposite Michael Keaton in 1984’s Johnny Dangerously and Richard Dreyfus in 1989’s Let It Ride, died December 18 in Los Angeles following a decades-long battle with heart and lung illnesses. He was 83.

His death was announced yesterday by family, who noted that he passed away with his wife of 26 years Christianne Engs at his side.

Born in Yonkers, New York, on June 27, 1942, Dimitri, of Assyrian descent, graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1962. The following year he made his New York stage debut as Bashir in the Off Broadway revival of The Immoralist. He went on to perform on Broadway as Pavli in Zorba, Muthu in The Guide (both 1968) and Kinesias in 1972’s Lysistrata opposite Melina Mercouri.

Moving to Los Angeles in 1975 after being cast in ABC’s single-season Robin Hood parody When Things Were Rotten starring Dick Gautier, Dimitri would go on to appear in episodes of Starsky & Hutch, Welcome Back, Kotter, Hawaii Five-O, and Tracey Ullman’s Tracey Takes On.

In 1984 he appeared on the big screen as Roman Troy Moronie in Amy Heckerling’s comedy Johnny Dangerously opposite Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner, Danny DeVito, among others. In 1989’s Let It Ride, he played Tony Cheeseburger opposite Dreyfus and Teri Garr.

In addition to his acting career, Dijmitri wrote for such series as 1984’s Going Bananas and 1993’s Daddy Dearest. He also performed stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles and other venues.

According to his family, serious chronic-health conditions necessitated his early retirement from the entertainment industry in 1998. He then launched a career as an art and antiques dealer, opening Los Angeles gallery Engs-Dimitri Works of Art with his wife.

The actor was predeceased by son John W. Dimitri. A private interment will take place on January 15. The family requests donations in his memory be directed to The John Dimitri Research Foundation for Congenital Heart Disease.