Overview
Richard Bakalyan (January 29, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor who started his career playing juvenile delinquents in his first several films.
Early life
Richard Bakalyan was born on January 29, 1931, in Watertown, Massachusetts, the son of Armenian-born William Nishan Bakalyan and Elsie Florence (née Fancy) Bakalyan, a Canadian from Nova Scotia. He had two brothers. His father died in 1939, when Richard was 8.
Growing up in a tough neighborhood, Bakalyan learned boxing to defend himself in street fights. He served a year's probation at age 15 for unknown crimes.
Bakalyan served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After four years of service, he was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.
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