Education
San Francisco State University.
San Francisco State University.
He appeared on May 28, 1959, episode of the television quiz program You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Marx. Schell demonstrated a comic barrage of beatnik jive talk. As a stand-up comedian, he first developed his act at the world-famous hungry-i nightclub in San Francisco, California.
Schell is probably best known in his 1960s television role as Duke Slater in Gomer Pyle, United States.M.C.
Schell left for a season to star as a disc jockey in his own sitcom, Good Morning, World.
He then returned to Gomer Pyle, United States.M.C. as a corporal for its fifth and final season. Schell played his Duke Slater character as streetwise, compared to Pyle"s bucolic background as portrayed by Jim Nabors.
Upon returning as a corporal, Slater acted as more of a mediator between Pyle and Sergeant Carter, portrayed by Frank Sutton, than as Pyle"s buddy.
Schell also acted in a few Pacific Southwest Airlines commercials such as "Smile Inspection" and "PSA Gives You A Lift Pageant".
At the end of a Jerry Lewis PSA jingle, a voice said "That was Jerry Lewis for PSA, and this is Ronnie Schell. What did I do wrong?" He also did a commercial with Don Adams where he parodied Don"s television character Maxwell Smart. Schells gradual ascendency into the public"s attention earned him the title, "America"s Slowest Rising Comedian".
In 2007, Schell was part of a touring cabaret show titled, "5 Star Revue" with Gary Collins, Mary Ann Mobley, Ruta Lee, and Steve Rossi.