Richard Fish (character)

Ally Mcbeal Character


name=Richard Fish
occupation=Litigator, Senior Partner - Cage/Fish & McBeal.
seasons=1 - 5
portrayer=Greg Germann

Richard Fish is a fictional character in the television show "Ally McBeal", played by Greg Germann.

Richard Fish is one of only five characters to have appeared as a regular in all five seasons of the show. The other four characters are Ally McBeal, John Cage, Vonda Shepard, and Elaine Vassal.

Background

Richard Fish founded the law firm Cage & Fish along with his best friend John Cage (played by Peter MacNicol ). Richard Fish, has a very loose interpretation of both legal ethics and ethics governing interpersonal behavior and acts most of the time as though he has very little conscience, and thus tends to be far more comfortable than his friend John in social situations (even when he said the most embarrassing things, such as suggesting to a woman interested in John that John was too nervous to begin a relationship, but that he, Richard, would be happy to have sex with her,) but who was far more interested in making money than the technicalities of the practice of law, which he seemed to have little knowledge of. Of the partnership his friend John Cage was obviously a superior litigator, but due to John's social awkwardness Richard acts as the firm's public face.

Richard's fellow lawyers often dreaded the prospect of Richard Fish appearing in court to argue a case (although, several times during the show's run, Richard does a credible job in the courtroom, usually due to a combination of circumstances such as a sudden burst of inspiration or sheer luck.)

Late in Series 5 Richard becomes infatuated with feisty Debbie "Liza" Bump, or "Lolita"(Christina Ricci) and after his father is sued for sexual harassment his mother tells him he will never fall in love he declares his love for Liza. They marry at the end of the series.

He is the one who recruited the title character Ally McBeal to join his law firm, Cage & Fish. Which would later (Series 5) become Cage/Fish & McBeal when he makes Ally partner in John Cage's absence.

Richard's eccentricities

Wattle

Richard is attracted to women with neck wattles (loose skin on the neck). This includes older women. For example in the "Body Language" episode of season one he pines after Attorney General Janet Reno for her wattle.

Love Life

Judge Jennifer 'Whipper' Cone portrayed by Dyan Cannon (Season 1–3 / 17 Ep.): A judge who had a relationship with Richard Fish for a while.

Ling Woo portrayed by Lucy Liu: had a romantic relationship with Richard lasted until Season Four.

Debbie 'Liza' Bump portrayed by Christina Ricci (Season 5 / 7 Ep.): a lawyer who worked at Cage & Fish and married Richard Fish in the last episode