Richard Kneeland; Versatile Stage Actor

Richard Kneeland, 68, a stage actor who for the last seven years had become a fixture in Southern California theater. Kneeland, who appeared frequently at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and with the San Diego Repertory Theatre, won critical praise for such varied roles as Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” and the slave Lucky in “Waiting for Godot.” He earned a Drama-Log Critics Award as best supporting actor for his performance as Serabryakov in “Uncle Vanya.” He last appeared at the Mark Taper Forum as Robert Penn Warren in the play “Hope of the Heart.” Born in Providence, R.I., he helped found the Trinity Repertory Company there and was in scores of plays during his 24 years as resident leading man. His awards included the Governor’s Art Award, the Foundation for Repertory Theatre Award and the New England Theatre Conference Award. On July 19 in San Diego.