Remembering Steve Landesberg

Published by Minnesota Atheists on

By Grant Hermanson

Steve Landesberg , best known for his role as police detective Arthur Dietrich on the TV sitcom Barney Miller, has died of cancer.  Steve played what might have been the first openly atheist character on TV (who wasn’t some kind of villain).

Upon learning that Dietrich was an atheist, Barney asks, somewhat urgently “So suppose you die and find yourself standing in front of the pearly gates, ready to be judged?”  Dietrich just looks at him blankly and says “Oops.”

Landsberg died on December 20th. He was 74 years old.

Categories: Articles

Minnesota Atheists

Positive Atheism in Action Since 1991

Related Posts

Photo of Nancy asking a question from audience.

May 2024 Meeting Review: An Atheist Speaker At A Christian High School

By Cathy Prody Southwest Christian High School has for the past ten years invited August Berkshire to provide an atheist perspective to its junior and senior level philosophy and worldview classes. In return, August invited Read more…

Head shot of George, smiling in jacket and tie.

News and Notes: Day of Reason

By George Francis Kane Gathering at the State Capitol in May to celebrate the Day of Reason is one of the favorite traditions of Minnesota’s freethought community, probably surpassed only by the Winter Solstice party Read more…

Head shot of George, smiling in jacket and tie.

News and Notes: Regulating Healthcare Regulations

By George Francis Kane The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) are responsible to set regulations for medical institutions that secure both the rights of patients Read more…