Paul Michael, frequent New Theatre actor, dies at age 84

As a kid, many years before I actually met the actor Paul Michael, I was already a fan. Michael — whose acting career spanned more than six decades and who had become a frequent performer at Kansas City’s New Theatre Restaurant — had played “King of the Gypsies” on TV’s first gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows (a show that has become such a cult classic over the last five decades that Tim Burton is creating a Johnny Depp movie based on the show).

Although best-known for his many Broadway appearances, Michael loved being recognized for Dark Shadows, Frazier and Seinfeld (he was featured in the popular “The Maestro” episode). In Kansas City, he was a regular at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, eating late dinners with his longtime companion (and frequent leading lady) Marion Ross. Michael died July 8 in Woodland Hills, California. He was 84 years old.