Night Court’s original cast members, including Harry Anderson, Markie Post, and John Larroquette, created one of television’s most memorable and popular sitcoms. The show, which ran for nine seasons from 1984 to 1992, became a cultural sensation known for its humorous writing and outstanding cast.
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Key takeaways
- Several original cast members of the Night Court, including Harry Anderson, Markie Post, Richard Moll, and Charles Robinson, have passed away.
- The remaining cast members have pursued various paths, from acting to music artists and even employment outside of entertainment.
- John Larroquette is the most famous original cast member, and he recently returned to his role as a main character in the 2023 Night Court revival.
Meet the Night Court original cast and their whereabouts
Night Court was well-known for its unique characters and amusing courtroom scenes. Many of the original cast members have died, but others have continued to work in entertainment, with some even reprising their roles in the 2023 reboot. Here is the Night Court original cast from 1984.
1. Harry Anderson as Judge Harry T. Stone
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- Full name: Harry Laverne Anderson
- Date of birth: 14 October 1952
- Date of death: 16 April 2018
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
Harry Anderson was an American comedian, actor, and magician. He gained prominence for playing Judge Harry Stone on the NBC sitcom Night Court (1984-1992). Anderson died at 65 in his sleep on 16 April 2018, of a stroke caused by influenza and heart disease at his Asheville, North Carolina, home.
2. John Larroquette as Dan Fielding
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- Full name: John Bernard Larroquette
- Date of birth: 25 November 1947
- Age: 77 years old (as of July 2025)
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992, 2023–2025
John Larroquette is a well-known American actor. He is most known for his main role in the NBC sitcom Night Court (1984–1992; 2023–2025), for which he won four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series during its previous incarnation. John is presently starring in the 2023 revival of Night Court on NBC.
3. Richard Moll as Nostradamus ‘Bull’ Shannon
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- Full name: Charles Richard Moll
- Date of birth: 13 January 1943
- Date of death: 26 October 2023
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
Richard Moll was an American actor best known for his role as Aristotle Nostradamus “Bull” Shannon, a bailiff on the 1984 to 1992 NBC sitcom. He was a bird enthusiast who spent his golden years in Big Bear Lake, California. Richard passed away at the age of 80 on 26 October 2023, at his house near Big Bear Lake.
4. Charles Robinson as Mac Robinson
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- Full name: Charlie Robinson
- Date of birth: 9 November 1945
- Date of death: 11 July 2021
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
Charlie Robinson was an American theatre, film, and television actor. He is most recognised for his portrayal as Mac Robinson, the court clerk and Vietnam War veteran, on Night Court. Robinson died at 75 on 11 July 2021 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre of cardiac arrest with multisystem organ failure caused by septic shock and metastatic adenocarcinoma.
5. Markie Post as Christine Sullivan
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- Full name: Marjorie Armstrong Post
- Date of birth: 4 November 1950
- Date of death: 7 August 2021
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
Markie Post was an American film and television actress. She is well known for portraying public defender Christine Sullivan in the NBC sitcom Night Court from 1984 until 1992. Markie died on 7 August 2021, at the age of 70, at her Los Angeles residence due to cancer.
6. Selma Diamond as Bailiff Selma Hacker
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- Full name: Selma Diamond
- Date of birth: 5 August 1920
- Date of death: 13 May 1985
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1985
Selma Diamond was a Canadian-American actress, comedian, and radio and television writer. She was recognised for her high-pitched, raspy voice and depiction of Selma Hacker in the first two seasons of Night Court. Selma died from lung cancer on 13 May 1985, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, at the age of 64, with no known family members.
7. William Utay as Phil Sanders
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- Full name: William Madans Utay
- Date of birth: 7 September 1947
- Age: 77 years old (as of July 2025)
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
William Utay is an American actor. He played the homeless guy Phil Sanders on Night Court in 1984, and his character was later murdered in an accident when a piano crushed him. After his character died, Utay took on the role of Will Sanders, Phil Sanders’ crooked, evil twin. Utay has kept his personal life out of the spotlight since his final episode of Days of Our Lives in 2021.
8. Ellen Foley as Billie Young
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- Full name: Ellen Foley
- Date of birth: 5 June 1951
- Age: 74 years old (as of 2025)
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1985
Ellen Foley is an American singer and actress who has featured on Broadway and television, including a co-starring role in the hit NBC series Night Court during its second season. She currently lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with her spouse, writer Doug Bernstein, and their two children. Ellen Foley is still actively involved in music.
9. Denice Kumagai as Quon Le Robinson
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- Full name: Denice Kumagai
- Date of birth: 7 July 1956
- Age: 69 years old (as of 2025)
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1992
Denice Kumagai is an actress from the United States of America. She played Quon Le Duc-Robinson on Night Court, a Vietnamese character whom Mac Robinson met while serving in Vietnam as a family court clerk. Kumagai continues to work in the entertainment industry, primarily in ADR voice acting and coordinating.
10. Karen Austin as Lana Wagner
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- Full name: Karen Austin
- Date of birth: 24 October 1955
- Age: 69 years old (as of July 2025)
- Years active in Night Court: 1984
Karen Austin is a film actress from the United States. She portrayed Lana Wagner in the sitcom Night Court in 1984. While she quit the series after the first season, she remained active in film and television. Karen appeared as Mrs. White on the Table Read Podcast in 2023.
11. Paula Kelly as Liz Williams
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- Full name: Paula Alma Kelly
- Date of birth: 21 October 1942
- Date of death: 8 February 2020
- Years active in Night Court: 1984
Paula Kelly was an American film, television, and theatre actor, singer, dancer, and choreographer. She portrayed Liz Williams on the first season of the comedy Night Court, for which she was nominated for an Emmy. Kelly died from heart failure on 8 February 2020, at the age of 77.
12. Charlotte Portney as Court Stenographer
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- Full name: Charlotte Portney
- Date of birth: 27 January 1904
- Date of death: 8 December 2001
- Years active in Night Court: 1984–1987
Charlotte Portney was an American actress. She played a Court Stenographer in the film Night Court. Charlotte died on 8 December 2001, at the age of 97.
Who are the Night Court cast members who have died?
Some of the Night Court cast who have died since the show ended its run in 1992 include: Harry Anderson (died in 2018), Markie Post (died in 2021), Richard Moll (died in 2023), Charles Robinson (died in 2021), Paula Kelly (died in 2020), Charlotte Portney (died in 2001), Florence Halop (died in 1986), and Selma Diamond (died in 1985).
Who from the original Night Court cast is still acting?
Several members of the original Night Court cast are still active in acting, and several have even repeated their roles in the recent Night Court reboot. Some of them are: John Larroquette, Marsha Warfield, and Brent Spiner.
The Night Court original cast is a dynamic group of comedic talent who made an unforgettable impression on television history. While time has passed and some renowned actors have died, their contributions are still celebrated.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
