Whatever Happened to ‘Matlock’s Michael Durrell?

V: THE FINAL BATTLE, from left: Michael Durrell, Blair Tefkin, (aired May 6-8, 1984) — NBC/Everett Collection

What To Know

Michael Durrell, best known as District Attorney Lloyd Burgess on Matlock, had a prolific television career.
Beyond Matlock, Durrell was featured in notable roles on shows like V, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Hill Street Blues.

When Matlock became a dependable ratings hit in the late ’80s, part of its appeal came from its supporting players. One of the most recognizable was Michael Durrell, who brought a cool authority to the role of District Attorney Lloyd Burgess. Durrell had already been a constant face on television for years by that point, and Matlock helped boost his career. Let’s find out what he’s been up to recently, now that he is in his 80s and Matlock is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Michael Durrell was born Sylvester Salvatore Ciraulo on October 6, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York. He began working steadily in television in the late ’60s, first gaining attention as attorney Peter Wexler on The Guiding Light (as it was known at the time). By the time he joined Matlock in 1986, Durrell was already very familiar to audiences who had seen him pop up everywhere from crime shows to primetime soaps. On Matlock, Durrell appeared in over 20 episodes.

I'M A BIG GIRL NOW, Michael Durrell, (1980), 1980-81

ABC/Everett Collection

Outside the courthouse, Durrell appeared on many classic television shows. He played Robert Maxwell in the influential science fiction miniseries V and its follow-ups. He later took on a very different kind of authority figure as Dr. John Martin, Donna’s father, on Beverly Hills, 90210. In between, he appeared on shows like Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, often playing lawyers or judges.

Durrell also maintained a steady film career, appearing in projects such as Thank God It’s Friday, Defending Your Life, and Sister Act. These roles were usually smaller but memorable. In later years, Durrell gradually shifted into more selective television work. He appeared on shows like Dexter, The Mindy Project, and Grace and Frankie, his last known screen appearance. Now in his mid-80s, Durrell has largely stepped away from acting. He has been married to Charlotte Savitz since 1974, and seemingly lives a private life away from the industry spotlight.