Richard Bakalyan

Richard Bakalyan obituary

Richard Bakalyan

Richard Bakalyan Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
Bakalyan, Richard

Was born January 29, 1931 in Watertown, MA the son of the late Nishan William and Elsie Florence (Fancy) Bakalyan passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center at the age of 84. His brother, Gerald Kieth Bakalyan also preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, William Souren and Adelia (Eaton) Bakalyan; sister-in-law, Marianne Bakalyan; nephews, Richard William (Linda Lyons) Bakalyan, David William (Lynn Ann Czopek) Bakalyan; nieces, Beverly L. (Bakalyan) Sleeper, Carol Lee (Jonathan Mark) Ames; along with many great nieces, great nephews, great great nieces and great great nephews. Richard was a Veteran of the US Air Force proudly serving his country during the Korean War. His last mission was working in Propaganda. For 54 years, "Dicky B", the nickname given to him by Nancy Sinatra, was a well known Character Actor in Hollywood, CA. His works included Chinatown, Von Ryan's Express, St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Up Periscope, Fox and the Hound and Wonderful World of Disney and many, many others. He was a humble, loving man who enjoyed making people happy with his craft. He was a talented Artist and Writer also. "Dicky B" was a lifetime member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. His services will be held at the convenience of his family at a later date and time. He will be laid to rest in Hollywood, California. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 Pennsylvania Ave. Elmira/Southport, NY. Richard's guestbook maybe signed in obituaries at www.olthof.com

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Sign Richard Bakalyan's Guest Book

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February 24, 2025

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory posted to the memorial.

February 23, 2025

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory posted to the memorial.

May 14, 2022

Dr.Leonard Wayne Psy.D posted to the memorial.

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory

February 24, 2025

Happy Heavenly Birthday DB!

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory

February 23, 2025

Miss You DB!

Dr.Leonard Wayne Psy.D

May 14, 2022

Sure,sure,sure---Love YOU Dickie B''

John Dolan

February 27, 2020

Dick Bakalyan was an amazing guy. I had the good fortune of meeting him at a party when I lived in California. Funny, engaging and so easy to hang with, Richard left his mark as an actor and overall great human being...

James Gambina Jr.

May 21, 2019

Really wish there were more like him. God bless his family.

James Miller

May 19, 2019

I worked with Dick parking cars in Beverly hills in the fifties where he always had a script in his hand, looking for roles to audition for. Glad he got to fulfill his dreams. We went to many parties,etc. During that period. Truly a nice guy.
Jim miller

John Dolan

February 23, 2019

I met Dick Bakalyan at a party in the Hollywood hills in 2004...what a great guy, gregarious and fun to hang with, and a fine actor...glad we crossed paths.

Luka Albijanic

February 29, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan and Thank You for everything Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 29, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan and Thank You for everything Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 29, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan Legend ... We will never forget You , you and Your characters ( especially Your work in "The Fox and the Hound" ) will live forever in our hearths , You made our childhoods and we are forever grateful ... Pocivajte u miru , neka je laka zemlja , vecna slava i veliko Hvala na svemu Legendo ... Rest in peace and Thank You for everything from Serbia and whole world who loves You Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 28, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan and Thank You for everything Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 28, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan Legend and Thank You for everything Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 28, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard Bakalyan Legend ... Huge loss , we will never forget You , You and Your characters ( especially work in "The Fox and the Hound" ) made our childhoods and we are forever grateful ... Pocivajte u miru , neka je laka zemlja , vecna slava i veliko Hvala na svemu Legendo ... Rest in peace and Thank You for everything Mister Sir Richard "Dick" Bakalyan Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 27, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Dick Bakalyan Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 27, 2016

One year passed ... Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard Bakalyan Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 8, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Richard Dick Backalyan and Thank You for everything Legend ! ...

Luka Albijanic

February 8, 2016

Rest in peace Mister Sir Richard Dick Bakalyan Legend , Condolences to the family , great person , huge loss , we will never forget You , You and Your characters will forever live in our hearths , You made our childhoods and we are forever grateful ... Pocivajte u miru , neka je laka zemlja , vecna slava i veliko Hvala Legendo ... Rest in peace and Thank You for everything from Serbia and the whole world who loves You Mister Sir Richard Dick Bakalyan Legend ! ...

Alice Marlene Reback

May 30, 2015

Our deepest condolences to the family. My sister Millie & I had such a wonderful time when we hooked up with Dick in Vegas. We sure had lots of laughs & enjoyed chatting with him about Aunt Flossy. Alice Marlene (Fancy) Reback, daughter of Keith Fancy.

May 12, 2015

One of the most sensitive, personable, people I have ever met. With a gentle nature and a smile that could melt you in a moment. Lunch at Musso's with him was always an adventure. He will remain a bright memory in my life. My condolences to the Bakalyan Family. Gerry Brentari

Bakalyan loved the water-

Laurie Wayne

March 30, 2015

Such an incredible loving man! He loved my husband so much.They did everything with a SMILE--Sure,sure,sure-My sincerest condolences to Dicky's family..it was a pleasure to have met him and spend 20 years sharing the art of friendship with him..he will be sorely missed by many. -

Dickie B in his study. Spring, 2009

March 29, 2015

William Holt

March 24, 2015

Farewell to one of my favorite character actors. Rest in Peace and condolences to all family members.

Teri Fancy

March 21, 2015

My condolences to all of Dicks family I never met him but he was my 2nd cousin on his mom's side always enjoyed watching anything he acted in.

Thomas william (Billy) Fancy

March 19, 2015

haven't seen you in a long time-too late now

Matt Borel (In Dickie's study, May 2004)

March 12, 2015

Henri Kasbarian

March 7, 2015

My condolences to the Bakalyan family. Dick and I were pals in high school.

Dickie has joined the Angels in Heaven

Suzanne Lewis

March 4, 2015

Dickie B was my best friend for 45+ years. My heart is broken. I will miss you greatly. You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace DB.

Lorraine (Cuzzy) Cousineau

March 4, 2015

RIP, Dick-old time friend and neighbor, I remember going to your house on Dexter Ave. We graduated from Watertown High together in 1949, and then I saw you had become a great character actor, and I'v seen every Movie and TV show you have been in!!!

March 3, 2015

I'm so very sorry for your loss. for the short time I knew him he was one of my favorites I enjoyed his stories.

Watertown high school yearbook photo

Alan Nahigian

March 3, 2015

Life will be less fun without you my friend. Keep a smile on.

James Gambina jr.

March 2, 2015

To one of the greatest men i will ever know. Thank you for inspiring me and my family to always go above and beyond for a friend.

Leonard Wayne

March 2, 2015

40 years ago we became best pals.He called me ''Captain Marvel''! He always told me,that I was the runs on his Ladder.I was blessed to work with Dicky B'' many times in Hollywood and he forwarded my latest book,Higher and Higher.In the 70's Dicks Mother would come visit him in Hollywood and she would tell me stories for hours.I went partying with Dicky and his brother Jerry and shared the art of friendship with both of them.I talked with him two weeks ago and we shared 40mins of love.Rest assured,he will never be forgotten by me. SURE,SURE,SURE,R.I.P.-

Cathy K.

March 2, 2015

You have deeply influenced me and my art and I have enjoyed your work immensely. For that, I thank you.
R.I.P. Mr Bakalyan

Andrew Robbins

March 2, 2015

Gonna miss ya immensely Dickie, Sure, Sure, you're gonna be missed by so many who loved and respected you

March 2, 2015

Dickie was a great friend and an acting mentor. I loved every minute of being with him. He brought joy to wherever he went. Rest assured, he will never be forgotten. Matt Borel, New Orleans.

Billy Gallo

March 2, 2015

20 years ago he played my dad on TV and became a father figure to me. He was my mentor and my friend. He always told me to Keep smiling kid! He was a great artist! Not only was he a talented actor/painter/writer he was one of the GOOD GUYS! God rest your soul my friend.
He gave me a poem he wrote it went like this
Don't Whistle in the wind my friend,
Because it goes nowhere.
The music of your mind deserves a chair,
A stage to play its say.
Don't be afraid; you'll have your parade
When it's time , and
Everything is in rhyme.
Hey. Yea!!
Richard Bakalyan
I know they're having a parade for you in heaven!

John Fenady

March 1, 2015

My sincerest condolences to Dickie's family and friends.I have known him since 1958.And have had the pleasure of breaking bread with him at many of our family gatherings.My father Georg Fenady was a director and worked with Dickie for many years! Dad died 5-29-08, I know their together sharing about the old times especially the film industry! Dickie was a kind and gentle man! He will be sorely missed! I know he is with our blessed savior Jesus,which gives me great comfort! R.I.P. big fella!!! Wish there was more like you out there! Love to you always, Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig John...

Barry Bregman

March 1, 2015

R.I.P my good friend. We will miss you. You were an original and always made us laugh.

Stone Wallace

March 1, 2015

A great guy. When I wrote Mr. Bakalyan some years back requesting a photo that I could display in my Media Actors Workshop studio, he not only sent a personally-inscribed picture but included a couple of stills from "The Delicate Delinquent". Maybe one of the quintesential movie "toughs," but a kind and thoughtful human being.

RIP Sir.

Dennis Rayburn

March 1, 2015

Such an incredible actor. The heavens now host a new star in its midst

John Dolan

March 1, 2015

My sincerest condolences to Richard's family..it was a pleasure to have met him..he will be sorely missed by many.

Paul DiPietro

March 1, 2015

My condolence goes out to Dick's family and friends. I will miss seeing Dick at our morning breakfast conversations we had a Woodbrook. He always was happy and had a smile on his face with a firm handshake. He was a man of character and always had a kind word for the staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to know him. May he rest in peace and be joining the rest of the Rat Pack and his Hollywood friends. See you later but not yet!

Steve March-Torm

March 1, 2015

We shared the same birthdate, Jan. 29 and we ALWAYS liked each other. I met Dick in about 1970 and he was simply fun to be around at all times. My life is better for having known him. R.I.P. Dickey B.

Susan Cote

March 1, 2015

I have such wonderful memories of Dick, not from just his films, but from his wonderful characters that he played on the Bobby Darin Show. Rest in peace Richard!

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Olthof Funeral Home - Elmira

1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY 14904

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Sign Richard Bakalyan's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

February 24, 2025

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory posted to the memorial.

February 23, 2025

Suzanne Lewis-Gregory posted to the memorial.

May 14, 2022

Dr.Leonard Wayne Psy.D posted to the memorial.