Richard Lang

Richard Lang (27 July 1939—23 April 1997) was an American film and television director known for Harry O (1974-1976), Kung Fu (1973-1974), and Melrose Place(1993–1997).

Richard Lang was born Walter Richard Lang on July 27, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee, to actress Madalynne Field and film director Walter Lang famous for Tin Pan Alley (1940), Moon Over Miami (1941) and Coney Island (1943). Richard's godfather and godmother were renowned actors Clark Gable and his wife Carole Lombard, who were close friends with his father.

For Gable's biographical book Long Live the King (1976), writer Lyn Tornabene also interviewed Richard, who told her that he used to jokingly call his mother (Madalynne Field) "The General" because of her strict and imposing demeanor.

Richard followed in the footsteps of his director father and got an early start in Hollywood. He made his debut in 1960 serving as an assistant director (uncredited) to Lewis Milestone for his comedy/crime movie Ocean's Eleven starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Peter Lawford.

In 1970, he directed 7 episodes (1970-1971) of the TV series Julia.

In 1973, Richard directed his first movie, a crime thriller Blood, Black and White,with Norman Alden, Ray Danton, and Buddy Garion.

In 1974–1976, Richard directed 18 episodes in the first two seasons of Howard Rodman's TV series Harry O starring David Janssen, Anthony Zerbe, Glynnis O'Connor, and Michael McGuire.

After directing such television series as Most Wanted (1977, 1 episode), Fantasy Island (1977, 1 episode), and The Streets of San Francisco (1977, 2 episodes), Richard, in 1977 directed The Force of Evil, a TV crime/thriller movie starring Lloyd Bridges, Pat Crowley, Eve Plumb, and William Watson.

In the 1980s, Richard worked on several TV series and movies including Houston Knights (1987), Kung Fu: The Movie (1986), In Like Flynn (1985), Obsessed with a Married Woman (1985), Velvet (1984), Dark Mirror (1984), Shooting Stars (1983), and Don't Go to Sleep (1982). From 1993 to 1997, he directed 17 episodes of Darren Star's Melrose Place with Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue, Josie Bissett, and Thomas Calabro in the lead cast. This was his last work before his death in April 1997.

Richard married Carole Keppler on July 4, 1965.

Richard died on April 23, 1997, in Los Angeles, California. He was 57.