Actor and comedian Orson Bean has died after being struck by multiple vehicles in Los Angeles on Friday.
Bean, best known for his roles in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” and “Being John Malkovich,” was 91-years-old. His death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office and is being investigated as a “traffic-related” fatality, according to the Associated Press.
The Los Angeles Police Department did not identify Bean as the victim but said they were called about a fatal collision that occurred around 7:30 pm on Venice Boulevard.
“A man was crossing the road outside of a crosswalk in the Venice neighborhood when he was clipped by a vehicle and fell,” Los Angeles Police Department Officer Drake Madison told the Associated Press. A second driver then struck him in what police say was the fatal collision. Both drivers remained on the scene, neither was impaired and Bean’s death was being treated as an accident.”
Bean’s friends who witnessed the accident told ABC7 News it took place just outside the Pacific Resident Theatre. They said he was heading to the theatre where his wife of 23-years, actress Alley Mills was working. Mills is best known for playing Norma Arnold on “The Wonder Years.”
Orson was a company member at the theatre but Mills and he recently finished the run of a brand new play at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica.
Bean starred and made appearances in countless TV shows over the years, including “Will & Grace,” “Modern Family,” “Desperate Housewives,” and many more. He starred in over 148 episodes of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” as the beloved character, Loren Bray from 1993-1998. Orson also had a very memorable role as Dr. Lester in the 1999 movie, “Being John Malkovich.” During his illustrious career that began in the 1950s, he was a frequent guest on the “Tonight Show,” and “To Tell The Truth.”
He is survived by wife Mills and four children from previous marriages.
