Richard Lincoln Charles was more than just the husband of Joyce Randolph, the actress who played Trixie Norton on the classic sitcom The Honeymooners. He was a man of many talents and achievements, who lived a remarkable life that spanned from the World War II era to the late 20th century. His wife Joyce Randolph died 2024 on 13th January 2024.

Richard Lincoln Charles Wiki/Bio

Biography

Richard Lincoln Charles was born on February 12, 1923 (age: 74 years when he died), in Rochester, New York, to John Earl and Henrietta (Schott) Charles. His father was a fuel equipment salesman and his mother was a beautician. He had a passion for show business from an early age, thanks to an uncle who took him backstage to meet Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald after a Masonic Temple show. He graduated from high school at the age of 17 and enrolled in the University of Alabama, where he studied journalism and met his first wife, a beauty queen from Alabama. He also developed an interest in flying and joined the Civilian Pilot Training Program.

Military Service and Acting Career

In December 1941, after learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor, Richard Lincoln Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became an aviator. He graduated at the top of his class and was sent to San Francisco to await his orders. During the war, he flew air-sea rescue and anti-submarine missions in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and was promoted to lieutenant junior grade. He was shot down several times, but always survived. He also participated in the rescue of 44 men from the USS Indianapolis, which was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. He received several medals and commendations for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

After the war, Richard returned to civilian life and pursued an acting career. He started out as a model and a newspaper subscription salesman, and appeared in commercials for Blatz, Schick, and Pall Mall. He also landed some roles in local theater productions, such as The Man Who Came to Dinner and The Philadelphia Story. He moved to New York City in the early 1950s and joined the Actors Studio, where he studied with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan. He also appeared in some television shows, such as Kraft Television Theatre and Studio One.

Marriage to Joyce Randolph and Family Life

In 1955, Richard Lincoln Charles met Joyce Randolph, who was already a rising star on television as Trixie Norton, the sassy wife of Ed Norton (played by Art Carney) on The Jackie Gleason Show and The Honeymooners. They fell in love and got married on October 2, 1955, the day after The Honeymooners premiered. He was supportive of Joyce’s career and often accompanied her to the studio and to social events. He also became friends with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney, who congratulated him on his marriage and joked that he should not have any babies while the show was on the air.

He and Joyce had a happy and lasting marriage, and welcomed their only child, Randolph Richard Charles, in 1960. They raised him in their apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where they lived for over 40 years. He was a devoted father and husband, who enjoyed spending time with his family and taking them on vacations to Europe and the Caribbean. He also encouraged his son to pursue his own interests and talents, and supported him in his career as a marketing executive.

Joyce Randolph, the last surviving star of The Honeymooners, dies at 99

Joyce Randolph, the veteran actress who played Trixie Norton on the iconic sitcom The Honeymooners, passed away at the age of 99 on 13th January 2024. She died of natural causes on Saturday night at her home in Manhattan, according to her son Randolph Charles.

Randolph was the last living main cast member of The Honeymooners, which aired from 1955 to 1956 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedy shows of all time. She starred alongside Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden, Audrey Meadows as Alice Kramden, and Art Carney as Ed Norton. Randolph portrayed Trixie, the smart and sassy wife of Ed, who often teamed up with Alice to cope with their husbands’ antics and schemes.

Randolph was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 21, 1924, of Finnish descent. She moved to New York City in 1943 to pursue an acting career, and appeared in Broadway shows and television roles. She met Gleason in 1951, when he saw her in a commercial and invited her to appear in a skit on his variety show. She was then cast as Trixie in The Honeymooners, which was based on a recurring sketch that Gleason had created.

The Honeymooners was a groundbreaking show that depicted the struggles and joys of working-class life in Brooklyn, with a mix of humor and heart. Randolph’s Trixie was a loyal and supportive friend to Alice, and a witty and independent woman who could stand up to Ralph and Ed. Randolph said that she enjoyed playing Trixie, and that she had a good rapport with her co-stars, especially Carney.

Height, Weight

• Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 
• Weight: 165 lb (75 kg) 
• Eye color: Blue 
• Body measurements: Not found
• Skin color: White 
• Hair color: Grey 

Business Ventures and Philanthropy

Besides acting, Richard Lincoln Charles had a knack for business and entrepreneurship. He founded and ran several successful companies, such as Charles Marketing Corporation, Charles Publishing Company, and Charles Communications Group. He specialized in marketing, advertising, and publishing, and worked with clients such as IBM, General Electric, and Reader’s Digest. He also invested in real estate and owned properties in New York, Florida, and the Bahamas. He was a wealthy and influential man, who mingled with celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.

Richard was also a generous and civic-minded man, who donated to various causes and organizations. He was a patron of the arts and culture and supported the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and the Museum of Modern Art. He was also a benefactor of education and health and contributed to the University of Alabama, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Cancer Society. He was especially passionate about aviation and veterans and gave to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served on the boards of several charitable and civic institutions, such as the New York City Opera, the New York Public Library, and the United Nations Association.

Death and Legacy

Richard Lincoln Charles died on September 22, 1997, at the age of 74, in New York City. He had been suffering from prostate cancer for several years, and passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Atlantic Ocean, as he had wished. He was survived by his wife, Joyce, his son, Randolph, and his grandson, Richard. He was also mourned by his friends, colleagues, and admirers, who remembered him as a man of integrity, intelligence, and generosity.

Richard Charles was a remarkable man, who lived a full and rich life. He was a war hero, an actor, a businessman, and a philanthropist, who excelled in everything he did. He was also a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who cherished his family and supported them in their endeavors. He was the man behind the woman who made millions laugh, and he shared her joy and success. He was a man who made a difference in the world, and left a lasting legacy of service and kindness.

Net Worth

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