Last surviving lead actor was 90
Sad news was announced tonight: William Reynolds, the last surviving lead actor of The FBI, passed away on Wednesday, 24 August at age 90. Born William DeClerq Regnolds in Los Angeles on 9 December 1931, Mr. Reynolds passed away from non-COVID pneumonia complications.
Mr. Reynolds had a longer association with The FBI franchise than any of the other lead actors, as he had a role in FBI Code 98, filmed possibly as early as late 1961 (definitely 1962). After guest spots on the series in seasons one and two, Mr. Reynolds became series regular Special Agent Tom Colby for seasons three through eight. He would make at least one guest appearance in the final season, but by then, he had basically abandoned acting after working in the field for over 20 years, to work in the business world.
Among William Reynolds’ other roles was a memorable turn on The Twilight Zone in early 1960, in “The Purple Testament.” In a scary irony, he would survive an air crash off the Jamaican coast, just as the episode was about to air. Unlike his Twilight Zone counterpart, Mr. Reynolds survived, but it unnerved his spouse, Molly Sinclair. Rod Serling, to his credit, delayed the episode’s airing out of respect for the family.
William Reynolds pretty much left acting after his regular role ended in 1973, and worked in the business world. He was predeceased by his wife, who passed away in 1992. Mr. Reynolds is survived by his children, daughter Carrie Regnolds Jones, and son Eric Regnolds, his grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Truly a class act, he will be greatly missed!!!