Body Found in Burning Home Identified as Actor’s

A body found in a burning Hollywood Hills mansion on New Year’s Day was identified Thursday as that of veteran film and TV character actor Royce Applegate, a co-star of the old sci-fi series “SeaQuest DSV.”

Two firefighters burned while battling the flames were in stable condition after surgery on their arms, hands and legs, hospital officials said.

“Their burns are profoundly painful and potentially debilitating,” said Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.

Applegate, 64, was found dead after flames swept through the three-story home atop the Hollywood Hills. It was reported at 8 a.m. and burned for an hour. The cause was under investigation, Humphrey said.

A finding on the cause of death was deferred until the results of toxicology tests are in, said a coroner’s spokesman, David Campbell.

Applegate’s entertainment career spanned more than 30 years. He made guest appearances on various TV shows such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “Dallas,” “Little House on the Prairie” and “Home Improvement.”

He played Chief Manilow Crocker in the early 1990s TV series “SeaQuest DSV,” which followed a crew trying to keep underwater peace as mankind colonized the oceans. The series also starred Roy Scheider and Michael Ironside.

Applegate appeared in such films as “Splash,” “History of the World: Part I,” “Gettysburg” and, most recently, “The Rookie.” Applegate is scheduled to appear in two films this year, including “Talking In Your Sleep” and “Gods and Generals,” in which he plays Civil War Brig. Gen. James L. Kemper. He played the same role in “Gettysburg.”