Richard Dimitri, the comic actor who brought twin cousins Bertram and Renaldo to life in Mel Brooks’ When Things Were Rotten, has died. He was 83.
> At a Glance
> – Richard Dimitri died December 18, 2025, after decades of heart and lung illnesses
> – He starred in When Things Were Rotten, Johnny Dangerously, Let It Ride
> – Survived by wife Christianne; predeceased by son John W. Dimitri
> – Why it matters: Fans remember a versatile performer whose humor spanned TV, film, and stage
Dimitri passed away with his wife of 26 years, Christianne, at his side, according to the obituary released by his family.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Born and raised in New York by a single mother, Dimitri graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1962. Within a year he made his off-Broadway debut in The Immoralist and soon appeared in Broadway productions of Zorba, The Guide, and Lysistrata.
After teaching acting at Queens College, he moved to Los Angeles in 1975 to join Brooks’ short-lived but cult-favorite series, launching a screen career that lasted two decades.
Film, TV, and Writing Credits
His resume mixed comedy and drama across multiple formats:
- Film: Johnny Dangerously (1984), Let It Ride (1989), The World’s Greatest Lover (1977)
- TV: Hawaii Five-O, Starsky & Hutch, The Tracey Ullman Show, Hearts Afire, Seventh Avenue, Welcome Back, Brown Show
- Stand-up: Regular sets at L.A.’s Comedy Store
Dimitri’s operatic tenor earned him an invitation to audition for the Vienna State Opera, but he chose to stay in Hollywood. He later shifted to writing, co-creating the 1993 Fox sitcom Daddy Dearest and contributing to House Calls and Going Bananas.
Later Life and Legacy
Forced to retire in 1998 by chronic heart and lung conditions, Dimitri reinvented himself as an art and antiques dealer, opening a West Hollywood gallery with Christianne.
> “Throughout his life, Richard touched many people with his talent, brilliant sense of humor, unique perspective, honesty and intellect,” the obituary reads. “But it was his role as a valued father and husband … that brought him his greatest joy.”
The couple’s son, John W. Dimitri, died in 2017 at age 19 from the rare heart defect Hypoplastic-left-heart syndrome, prompting the family to establish the John Dimitri Research Foundation for Congenital Heart Disease.
Key Takeaways
- Dimitri’s breakout came as twins Bertram and Renaldo in When Things Were Rotten (1975)
- He balanced acting, singing, and writing before health issues ended his on-screen career
- After retiring, he built a second life in the art world alongside his wife
- His family honors his son’s legacy through ongoing congenital-heart-disease research
Tributes continue to flow from fans who recall his rapid-fire wit and versatile performances across stage and screen.
