One Day at a Time actor dead at 86

Pat Harrington, Jr., an actor and comedian who secured lasting fame as Dwayne Schneider, the cocky handyman on the long-running sitcom One Day at a Time, has died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 86.

One Day at a Time starred Bonnie Franklin as a divorced mother of two teenage daughters ( Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips) who returns to her hometown of Indianapolis to begin life anew as a single woman.

Schneider, a comically self-styled ladies’ man who boasted a trim moustache, a tool belt and a gut pressed against his white T-shirt (enabled by a large intake of water by Harrington before each taping to give himself the necessary paunch) initially made come-ons to Ann Romano (Franklin) but soon became her pal and confidante.

With his strong support, the series, from prolific producer Norman Lear, was a hit, airing on CBS from 1975 to 1984. The role brought him an Emmy award in 1984.

In the 1950s, Harrington landed various roles in TV comedy, including a recurring part on the Danny Thomas sitcom Make Room for Daddy and as a sketch comic on The Steve Allen Plymouth Show.

In the 1960s and early ’70s, he had guest or recurring roles on such shows as The Munsters, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, Love, American Style and The Love Boat.

His last role was on Hot in Cleveland in 2012.