Photo: ABC Television / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Richard Gilliland is the kind of actor I have deep respect for: the reliable supporting craftsman who makes everyone around him better. His JD Shackleford on Designing Women anchored a beloved ensemble for years, and that consistency across television, film, and stage speaks to genuine love of the work rather than chasing the spotlight. Trained at DePaul and rooted in Fort Worth, he had the unglamorous discipline that sustains a four-decade career. When he passed in 2021, the warmth he brought to the screen did not leave with him. Character actors like him are the quiet backbone of the industry.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Richard Gilliland
- Name (Japanese)
- リチャード・ギリランド
- Reading
- りちゃーど・ぎりらんど
- Born
- January 23, 1950 – March 18, 2021
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Tiger
- Origin
- Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- television actor / film actor / stage actor / actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Shawnee Mission South High School
- University
- DePaul University
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard%20Gilliland
Frequently asked questions
When was Richard Gilliland born?
January 23, 1950 – March 18, 2021.
Where is Richard Gilliland from?
Richard Gilliland is from Fort Worth, Texas, United States.
What does Richard Gilliland do?
Richard Gilliland works as television actor, film actor, stage actor, actor.
Television actor — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.