King Moody (December 6, 1929 – February 7, 2001), born Robert Moody, was a versatile American actor who achieved the rare feat of becoming both a cult cinema icon and a ubiquitous face in American advertising. Born in New York City, Moody possessed a tall, imposing frame and a face capable of shifting from stern authority to broad, whimsical comedy, a range that served him well throughout a career spanning forty years.
He made his cinematic debut in the 1959 independent sci-fi classic Teenagers from Outer Space. In the film, he played the authoritative Spaceship Captain, delivering the grim ultimatum that set the movie’s plot in motion. While the film was a low-budget production, Moody’s performance helped establish the “alien commander” archetype that would define many B-movies of the era.
Moody is most widely recognized for two vastly different roles that showcased his comedic timing. On television, he played the hilariously inept KAOS agent Shtarker in the hit spy spoof Get Smart. As the sidekick to Siegfried, his “STARKER!” bark and deadpan reactions became a fan-favorite element of the series. Simultaneously, he became a fixture of American childhood as the fifth actor to portray Ronald McDonald. He donned the iconic yellow jumpsuit and red wig for sixteen years (1969–1985), appearing in hundreds of commercials and personal appearances as the face of the McDonald’s corporation.
His extensive television resume also included guest spots on many of the most popular shows of the 1960s and 70s, including Bonanza, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Dragnet, Combat!, and CHiPs. Whether he was playing a gritty soldier or a fast-food clown, Moody brought a professional dedication to his craft that made him a staple of the industry. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 71, remembered as a performer who could effortlessly balance the world of “Sartre-quoting” spy villains and the most famous clown in the world.
