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| '''Tony Swartz''' (September 24, 1943―September 27, 2016, born '''Russell Anthony Swartz''') is an American actor who portrayed Flight Sergeant {{TOS|Jolly}} in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].
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| == Career ==
| | '''Tony Swartz''' was born September 24, 1943 in Iowa, and passed on September 27, 2016. He was originally named ''Russell Anthony Swartz'' but later went by the name Tony. |
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| === Stage career ===
| | Swartz is best remembered for his role as Flight Sergeant {{TOS|Jolly}} in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]. |
| Born on September 24, 1943, in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa,<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969">{{cite news|title=Tony Swartz New Director Of F-M Community Theatre|newspaper=The Forum|location=Fargo, North Dakota|date=September 7, 1969|page=30|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1131038644/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref><ref name="findagrave_swartz_vital_record">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=Davenport%2C%20Scott%20County%2C%20Iowa|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> Swartz graduated from Davenport Central High School as part of the class of 1961.<ref group="commentary" name="feeney_quadcitytimes_swartz_anderson_tribute_1980">{{cite news|title=Ex-students sing praises of teacher|author=Feeney, Lucinda|newspaper=Quad-City Times|location=Davenport, Iowa|date=June 15, 1980|page=3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/305905799/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> In a 1980 interview given during a tribute to his former a cappella choir director, Milton Anderson, Swartz said Anderson was "the only teacher that ever touched me — taught me to turn around," crediting the choir program for setting him on the path toward a performing career.<ref group="commentary" name="feeney_quadcitytimes_swartz_anderson_tribute_1980"/>
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| Swartz went on to attend [[w:Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]] in Decorah, Iowa, before moving to New York to begin studies at [[w:New York University|New York University]].<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> A 1970 wedding announcement additionally noted that he had attended [[w:St. Ambrose University|St. Ambrose College]] in Davenport before completing his degree in theatre at New York University.<ref group="external" name="forum_fargo_swartz_blume_wedding_1970">{{cite news|title=Helen Blume, Russell Swartz|newspaper=The Forum|location=Fargo, North Dakota|date=June 26, 1970|page=11|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1130485264/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> He took time away from his studies to work as a director with the Actors' Stage company in South Bend, Indiana, and to act with the Yarmouth Summer Theatre on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the Sterling Forest Repertory Theatre in Sterling Forest, New York.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> According to his 2016 obituary, he ultimately earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University's School of the Arts, and was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and [[w:Actors' Equity Association|Actors' Equity Association]].<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_education_and_unions">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=graduate%20of%20New%20York%20University%20School%20of%20the%20Arts|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
| | Tony has appeared in episodes of ''[[w:The Golden Girls|The Golden Girls]]'', ''[[w:Kojak|Kojak]]'' and ''[[w:The Invisible Man (1975 TV series)|The Invisible Man]]'' television series, as well as in some television movies, and has worked on a number of documentary and promotional films. |
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| During his time with Actors' Stage, Swartz appeared in the company's July 1965 production of the medieval mystery play ''Abraham and Isaac'', playing the Voice of God and the doctor, staged together with Eugène Ionesco's ''Victims of Duty'' in the Catacombs at Donny's Inferno restaurant in South Bend.<ref group="external" name="schmidt_southbendtribune_swartz_actors_stage_abraham_isaac_1965">{{cite news|title=Actors' Stage Gets Season Under Way|author=Schmidt, Frank G.|newspaper=The South Bend Tribune|location=South Bend, Indiana|date=July 21, 1965|page=36|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/515672947/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> The same month, he took three roles in a program of one-act [[w:Eugene O'Neill|Eugene O'Neill]] sea plays staged by the company: Slocum in ''Ile'', the captain in ''Bound East for Cardiff'', and Joe, the bartender, in ''The Long Voyage Home''.<ref group="external" name="schmidt_southbendtribune_swartz_oneill_sea_plays_1965">{{cite news|title=Actors' Stage Gives O'Neill Sea Plays|author=Schmidt, Frank G.|newspaper=The South Bend Tribune|location=South Bend, Indiana|date=July 28, 1965|page=58|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/515675638/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
| | In addition to acting, his roles in television and film productions have included working as a location scout, and with the transportation department as a driver. |
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| After completing his studies at New York University, Swartz went directly to the [[w:Guthrie Theater|Guthrie Theatre]] and its resident company, then billed as the Minnesota Theatre Company, in Minneapolis, where he spent three years.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> His roles there included parts in ''Sgt. Musgrave's Dance'', ''Merton of the Movies'', ''She Stoops to Conquer'', ''Arturo Ui'', and ''House of Atrius'', and he also worked as an assistant stage manager.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> His obituary also credits him with stage work with the Tyrone Guthrie Repertory company in Minneapolis, on Broadway and off-Broadway in New York, and at the [[w:Mark Taper Forum|Mark Taper Forum]] in Los Angeles.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_stage_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=Mark%20Taper%20Forum%20in%20Los%20Angeles|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
| | His wife is Helen Blume, and his daughter is Kathryn Swartz. |
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| In September 1969, Swartz became the new director of the F-M Community Theatre in Fargo, North Dakota, his first director's post after concentrating on acting during his Guthrie years.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> His debut production for the company was ''Luv'', with tryouts held September 14, 1969, at the Emma K. Herbst Playhouse in Fargo and the show opening October 29, 1969.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_fm_theatre_director_1969"/> In May 1971, he directed ''[[w:The Fantasticks|The Fantasticks]]'' as the final production of the theatre's regular season, and also performed in the show as one of the two fathers.<ref group="external" name="forum_fargo_swartz_fantasticks_director_1971">{{cite news|title='The Fantasticks' Open Wednesday|newspaper=The Forum|location=Fargo, North Dakota|date=May 16, 1971|page=19|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1131052555/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
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| === Screen career ===
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| By 1979, Swartz was working in Los Angeles and was represented by talent agent Phil Arcara. That year, a Buffalo News profile of Arcara described the agent visiting Swartz, along with fellow Arcara client and Buffalo native [[Laurette Spang-McCook|Laurette Spang]], on the set of ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' shortly after Arcara returned from a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado, during which he sprained his hand.<ref group="production" name="lauricella_buffalonews_arcara_swartz_bsg_set_1979">{{cite news|title=A Buffalo native fills the role of a successful Hollywood agent|author=Lauricella, Mary Ann|newspaper=The Buffalo News|location=Buffalo, New York|date=May 27, 1979|page=105|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/873337948/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
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| Tony has appeared in episodes of ''[[w:The Golden Girls|The Golden Girls]]'', ''[[w:Kojak|Kojak]]'' and ''[[w:The Invisible Man (1975 TV series)|The Invisible Man]]'' television series, as well as in some television movies, and has worked on a number of documentary and promotional films. In addition to acting, his roles in television and film productions have included working as a location scout, and with the transportation department as a driver. His obituary additionally credits him with an appearance in ''[[w:Dynasty (film)|James Michener's Dynasty]]'', a series regular role as Flight Sergeant Jolly on ''Battlestar Galactica'', and feature film work in ''[[w:Loverboy (1989 film)|Loverboy]]'', ''[[w:Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]'', and ''[[w:Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood|Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood]]''.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_screen_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=Flight%20Sergeant%20Jolly%20on%201978%27s|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
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| === Behind-the-camera career ===
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| In 1989, Swartz relocated with his family to Omaha, Nebraska, and moved behind the camera to work as a producer, director, and editor.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_omaha_production_career">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=moved%20behind%20the%20camera%20as%20a%20producer|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> His clients in this period included ABC/Tokyo productions and the Americana Television Network, and his credits included television commercials, industrial videos for Paramount Studios' Boy Scout and Cub Scout Home Video Library and for the [[w:Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific Railroad]], and music videos for [[w:Mannheim Steamroller|Mannheim Steamroller]].<ref name="findagrave_swartz_omaha_production_career" group="external"/> He also worked behind the scenes on the Omaha-area productions ''[[w:Election (1999 film)|Election]]'' and ''[[w:About Schmidt|About Schmidt]]''.<ref name="findagrave_swartz_omaha_production_career" group="external"/>
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| == Personal life ==
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| On June 20, 1970, Swartz married Helen LaVerne Blume at Cando Lutheran Church in Cando, North Dakota. The bride's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Russell Blume of Cando, and the groom's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Russell Swartz of Durant, Iowa. Swartz's brother, Dan Swartz of Durant, served as best man.<ref name="forum_fargo_swartz_blume_wedding_1970" group="external"/> Following a wedding trip to Europe, the couple settled in Fargo, where Swartz was then employed as managing director of the Fargo-Moorhead theatre.<ref group="external" name="quadcitytimes_swartz_blume_wedding_1970">{{cite news|title=Blume-Swartz|newspaper=Quad-City Times|location=Davenport, Iowa|date=June 21, 1970|page=41|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/304094141/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref> Helen Swartz was a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a bachelor's degree in English, belonged to the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and was employed at the time as an English teacher with the St. Louis Park Public Schools in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.<ref name="quadcitytimes_swartz_blume_wedding_1970" group="external"/>
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| Public records place Swartz in West Hollywood, California, as of November 1975, in Los Angeles, California, from 1993 to 1998, and in Durant, Iowa, from 2005 to 2006.<ref name="familysearch_swartz_public_records_residences">{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KT7S-BYJ|title=United States, Public Records, 1970-2009 — entry for Russell Anthony Swartz|publisher=FamilySearch|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
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| Swartz and Helen remained married for 46 years.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_survivors">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=survived%20by%20his%20wife%20of%2046%20years|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>, until his death on September 27, 2016, in Kansas City, Platte County, Missouri, at age 73,<ref name="findagrave_swartz_vital_record" /> following complications from a lung biopsy performed that May.<ref name="findagrave_swartz_death_cause">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=complications%20due%20to%20a%20lung%20biopsy|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>. He was survived by his wife Helen, his daughter Kathryn, his son-in-law Nick Rees, and his brother Dan Swartz. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell H. Swartz and Elaine M. (Pickrel) Swartz, and by his sisters, Suzanne Behal and Judie Lester.<ref name="findagrave_swartz_survivors" group="external"/> His obituary described him as an avid reader, a history enthusiast, a fan of ''[[w:The_New_York_Times|The New York Times]]'' crossword puzzle, and an accomplished home cook.<ref group="external" name="findagrave_swartz_personal_interests">{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170825903/russell-anthony-swartz#:~:text=New%20York%20Times%20crossword%20fiend|title=Russell Anthony "Tony" Swartz|publisher=Find a Grave|accessdate=July 9, 2026}}</ref>
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| == References ==
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| === Commentary and Interviews ===
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| {{reflist|group=commentary}}
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| === Production History ===
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| {{reflist|group=production}}
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| === External Sources ===
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| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| === Ancillary Sources ===
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| [[de: Tony Swartz]] | | [[de: Tony Swartz]] |
