Richard Jaeckel was a reliably tough character actor whose grizzled presence added grit to films like Airplane II: The Sequel, where he played the deadpan Dr. Karl Bemis. His knack for playing weary, world-worn men is also evident in the sci-fi drama Starman, directed by John Carpenter, where he contributed a grounded sense of reality amid the film’s otherworldly elements. Jaeckel’s ability to embody blue-collar toughness found a memorable outlet in Sam Peckinpah’s The Dirty Dozen, showing his skill in ensemble casts under strong directors. He made every role feel lived-in, whether as a no-nonsense soldier or a canine handler, creating characters that stuck with audiences long after the credits rolled.