Spencer Milligan, an actor recognized for his portrayal of Rick Marshall in the 1970s television series “Land of the Lost,” passed away at his residence in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on April 18, 2024. He was 86 years old.
Born on September 10, 1937, in Oak Park, Illinois, Milligan’s enthusiasm for performing started early. He began with magic tricks that amused his friends. After his service in the U.S. Army, he pursued a career in acting. He trained at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, the Joan Darling Actors Workshop in Los Angeles, California, and the Lee Strasberg Senior Workshop in New York City.
In 1974, Milligan snagged the role of Rick Marshall, a single father and park ranger who, with his kids, is transported to a prehistoric world in the NBC series “Land of the Lost.” The show, created by Sid and Marty Krofft, was a blend of live-action and stop-motion animated dinosaurs, eventually gaining a cult following. However, after two seasons, Milligan departed due to disagreements over royalties from merchandise featuring his image.
His “Land of the Lost” co-stars Wesley Eure and Kathy Coleman expressed their heartfelt condolences. Eure noted, “He truly was the dad everybody wanted to have.” Coleman echoed the sentiment by saying, “He not only became the father figure I needed but a father to all the other children in need of that missing puzzle piece.” They both lauded Milligan’s kindness and humor.
Following his departure from “Land of the Lost,” Milligan made appearances in renowned TV series such as “Gunsmoke,” “The Bionic Woman,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “Police Squad!” In 1987, he took on his last television role in “General Hospital.” In his later years, he relocated to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he dedicated over two decades to teaching and directing at Third Avenue PlayWorks.
Looking back on his career, Milligan recalled his time on “Land of the Lost,” stating, “It’s part of my life. It’s not my full life. I did what I wanted to do, and that was it. At the time, I thought it was very good. We had some fun with it.”
Milligan leaves behind his wife, Kerry, whom he met in 1991 and married in 2002, and his godchildren, Andee Solis, Hilary Williams, and Spencer Williams.
