Saul David Sheiner (January 13, 1928 – June 5, 2026) was an American actor. He appeared on Broadway, but is best known for his supporting roles in several films and television series. He started his career in television in 1952, but he was most successful from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Life and career

Sheiner appeared in several films including The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) as James the Elder, They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970) and Blue Thunder (1983). He is probably best known for his supporting role as Roy, Oscar's accountant and poker playing crony opposite Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the film adaptation of The Odd Couple (1968). Sheiner also featured prominently in the 1973 Michael Winner/Charles Bronson action movie "The Stone Killer".

He also guest-starred in many television programs. Sheiner appeared on two episodes of Combat!, as Captain Ridell in the third season episode "The Steeple" (1965) and as SS Major Krieghoffen in the fifth season episode "Gadjo" (1967). He also played roles on several other popular shows such as Columbo, The Big Valley, The Twilight Zone, A Man Called Shenandoah, The Invaders, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Cannon, Hawaii Five-O, Blue Light, S.W.A.T., Quincy, M.E., Mission: Impossible, The Fall Guy, Vega$, Blind Ambition, Planet of the Apes, Bonanza, and The Fugitive. He retired from acting in 1988. He appeared in the episodes "Once Upon a Time" (2 parts) in Hawaii Five-O.

Sheiner died from renal failure in Los Angeles on June 5, 2026, at the age of 98.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1958The MuggerSidneyUncredited
1965Combat!Captain RidellEpisode: "The Steeple"
The Greatest Story Ever ToldJames the Elder
1966Voyage to the Bottom of the SeaChandler
One Spy Too ManyParviz
The Big ValleyCapt. Jonathan Rizelyand 2 unrelated characters in other episodes
1967Combat!SS Colonel Karl HoffenEpisode: "Gadjo"
ScalplockJohnny Carson
Mission: ImpossibleAndreas Solowiechek
1968A Man Called GannonSheriff Polaski
The Odd CoupleRoy
1969WinningCrawford
Hawaii Five-OFrank ZipserEpisodes: "Once Upon a Time" (2 parts)
Mission: ImpossibleColonel Ziegler/Dr. Karl Turek4 episodes
1970James Reed
Halls of AngerMr. PerkinsUncredited
MannixSamEpisode: "One for the Lady"
They Call Me Mister Tibbs!Lieutenant Kenner
The VirginianCullyEpisode: "No War for the Warrior"
1971GunsmokePreacherEpisodes: "Waste" (2 parts)
SargeLloyd HammondEpisode: "A Bad Case of Monogamy"
1973The Stone KillerGuido Lorenz
1974Planet of the ApesDr ZoranEpisode: "The Cure"
Skyway to DeathBill CarterABC Movie of the Week
1975S.W.A.T. (1975 TV series)EricEpisode: "Death Carrier"
1976Victory at EntebbeAaron OlavTV movie
1978Six Million Dollar ManArnold
1980The Gong Show MovieDr. Jerry Queasley
The Big BrawlMorgan
1983Blue ThunderFletcher

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