Ronnie Schell, the veteran stand-up comedian and actor best known for his role as Duke Slater on the popular 1960s CBS comedy *Gomer Pyle: USMC*, has died at the age of 94.

Schell passed away on Friday from natural causes at UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles.

His passing marks the end of a long and varied career that spanned television, film, and stand-up comedy.

Schell's portrayal of the wisecracking Duke Slater, the best friend to Jim Nabors' character, was a significant part of *Gomer Pyle: USMC* for three seasons starting in 1964.

After a brief departure to star in another CBS comedy, *Good Morning, World*, Schell returned to *Gomer Pyle* for its fifth and final season, with his character having been promoted to corporal.

This continuity in his role allowed him to remain a familiar face to audiences throughout the show's run.

Beyond his live-action roles, Schell was a prolific voice actor.

One of his most recognizable voice roles was as the animated character Peter Puck, who educated viewers on the rules of hockey during NHL game broadcasts on NBC in the 1970s.

Despite voicing the character, Schell admitted in a 2011 interview that he knew nothing about hockey, learning about the sport only through the scripts he received.

Schell's career also included appearances in Disney films such as *The Strongest Man in the World* (1975), *Gus* (1976), *The Shaggy D.A.* (1976), and *The Cat From Outer Space* (1978), where he voiced the titular cat.

He also appeared in *Love at First Bite* (1979).

His television résumé further included roles on *The Patty Duke Show*, *The Andy Griffith Show*, *Emergency!*, *Sanford and Son*, *Charlie’s Angels*, *One Day at a Time*, *She’s the Sheriff*, and *Santa Barbara*.

Born on December 23, 1931, in Richmond, California, Schell began his comedy career while serving in the U.S.

Air Force.

He graduated from San Francisco State in 1958 with a degree in Liberal Studies.

Early in his career, he performed stand-up at The Purple Onion, sharing the bill with Phyllis Diller and The Kingston Trio.

It was his manager, Dick Link, who also managed Jim Nabors and Andy Griffith, that led to his casting on *Gomer Pyle: USMC*.

Schell was married to his wife, Janet, since 1968, with Jerry Van Dyke serving as best man at their wedding.

He is survived by Janet, their two children, Gregory and Christian Schell, and one granddaughter, Chiara.