William Bogert

William Bogert (January 24, 1936 – January 12, 2020) was an American character actor best known for his roles as Brandon Brindle on the TV series Small Wonder from 1985 to 1989, Kent Wallace, the host of Chappelle's Shows Frontline spoofs from 2003 to 2004, and as the titular character of the 1964 "Confessions of a Republican" ad. In 1964 he appeared onstage in the touring production of A Man For All Seasons. Career Bogert's television guest appearances included Gilmore Girls, Hope & Faith, Chappelle's Show, Law & Order, Ed, Profiler, Spin City, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Melrose Place, Empty Nest, Mr. Belvedere, Growing Pains, Amen, The Wonder Years, Webster, Matlock, Trapper John, M.D., The Colbys, Benson, Knots Landing, Hart to Hart, The Greatest American Hero, Square Pegs, The Fall Guy, Hill Street Blues, Fantasy Island, The Incredible Hulk, M*A*S*H, Alice, The Facts of Life, The Jeffersons, Quincy, M.E., One Day at a Time, Barney Miller, Lou Grant, Eight Is Enough, Baretta, McMillan & Wife, Starsky & Hutch, Police Woman, Taxi, Columbo, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Doctors. Bogert played the neighbor Brandon Brindle in all four seasons of Small Wonder (1985–1989). In 1964, Bogert starred in the "Confessions of a Republican" ad for Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1964 U.S. presidential election. Bogert was a lifelong Republican, which was a requirement for the casting. He appeared on Don Lemon's CNN news show on March 17, 2016, and also on Rachel Maddow Show on May 2, 2016, to comment on the relevance of the ad to the 2016 election.