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A former standup comic who would later find fame as a character actor in such films as Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978) and Splash (1984), Royce D. Applegate would later find wide recognition as a cast member of the popular television series seaQuest DSV. Born in Midwest City, OK, Applegate got his start in as an entertainer in the comedy improv group "The Committee." Applegate would later co-found "Committee" offshoot "Synergy Trust" when the former expanded westward, and it wasn't long before he was making appearances on such popular television staples as The Steve Allen Show. Subsequent appearances on such shows as Charlie's Angels, Dallas, and ChiPs found the busy character actor in increasing demand, and with the 1972 thriller They Only Kill Their Masters, Applegate graduated to film. After taking on the role of Brig. Gen. James L. Kemper in the 1993 Civil War epic Gettysburg, Applegate would later reprise his role in the sequel Gods and Generals (2003). On January 1, 2003, Royce D. Applegate was found dead in his Hollywood Hills mansion following a devastating fire. He was 64.