Richard Mulligan (November 13, 1932 - September 26, 2000) was an American television and film actor whose career spanned 34 years. He was born in New York City, New York, the brother of director Robert Mulligan. After attending Columbia University, Mulligan began working in theatre, making his debut as a stage manager and performer on Broadway in 1960. Two years later he would act in his first motion picture followed by guest appearances on assorted television shows.
His best-known recurring roles in television were those of Burt Campbell in the sitcom Soap, for which he won a Best Actor Emmy Award, and in the starring role of Dr. Harry Weston in Empty Nest, which was a spin-off of The Golden Girls. For his perfomances in Empty Nest, he would win a second Best Actor Emmy Award as well as a Golden Globe Award.
Over the years, Mulligan returned to perform on Broadway and in films where he usually played supporting roles. A notable exception was the 1981 satirical film S.O.B., in which he played lead character Felix Farmer, a Hollywood producer-director modelled on the film's actual producer-director, Blake Edwards.
Mulligan died of cancer in Los Angeles, California. His remains were cremated.
Mulligan has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6777 Hollywood Blvd.