Augusta Native And Famous Actor, Richard Dysart Dies

Richard Dysart, known best for his emmy-winning role as Leland McKenzie in the long-running television show: L.A. Law, passed away after a long illness.  He was 86 years old and passed away at his home in Santa Monica, California. 

Dysart lived right here in Augusta and at 12 Johnson Street.  He attended school from 7th grade thru high school, graduated from Cony High School in 1947.  During his years at Cony, he participated in Chizzle Wizzle and in 2003, he returned to Cony where he reenacted some of his performances to help Team Cony raise money for a larger auditorium, gym and classrooms in the new Cony High School.

Dysart and his wife returned occasionally to the Augusta area.  He played a big role in eliminating the Edwards Dam; as he remembered swimming on the Kennebec river in the summertime and avoiding pulpwood and also ice skating on it in the winter.  Things we obviously avoid doing now.  Dysart also attended his 60th high school reunion in 2007.