Acting
Raye Birk
Raye Birk, born on May 27, 1943, in Flint, Michigan, is a distinguished American actor celebrated for his versatile performances in film and television. He gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Pahpshmir in both "The Naked Gun" and "Naked Gun 331⁄3: The Final Insult," where he played the primary antagonist. Birk's television credits are equally impressive; he appeared as the terrorist Francis Bolt in the acclaimed series "Due South," featuring in multiple episodes such as "All the Queens Horses" and "Call of the Wild." His impressive resume includes guest spots on iconic shows like "The X-Files" and "Babylon 5," along with notable film roles in "Best Defense" (1984), "Amazon Women on the Moon" (1987), "Throw Momma from the Train" (1987), "Doc Hollywood" (1991), and "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998).
Birk also made a mark on the beloved series "The Wonder Years," where he frequently appeared as the assistant principal, displaying both a stern and empathetic side in key episodes. His comedic talent shone through in roles on "Home Improvement," "Night Court," and "The Golden Girls." He portrayed Walt Twitchell, a quirky mailman, on "Cheers," and reprised this role in the spin-off "Frasier." From 1989 to 1993, he was a recurring character on "Coach" as Riley Pringle, the university band director.
From 2004 to 2008, Birk took on the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Outside of his illustrious career, he has been happily married to Candace Barrett for over 41 years, and they have a son, Joshua, who is a professor of medieval history.
