![]() ![]() ![]() In 1986 he tried his hand at TV again with Fresno in which he played Cane Kensington. Next came 1981's The Incredible Shrinking Woman and The Great Muppet Caper.Īnother one: A look at the sequel Beethoven's 2nd from 1993. The following year Charles starred with Charlie's Angels vet Farrah Fawcett in the film Sunburn from director Richard Sarafian Hemdale.Īnd in 1980, he was the stuffed suit next to to Chevy Chase's smooth talker in the film Seems Like Old Times which had as its star Hawn. In 1978, he had a supporting role in the big-budget Heaven Can Wait where he starred as Warren Beatty's devious lawyer. That led to a role as businessman Fred Wilson in 1976's mega hit King Kong with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange where he played the greedy showman who brings the big ape to New York. If it wasn´t for Elaine May, I probably would never have had that movie career.' 'I thought the character in `The Heartbreak Kid´ was a despicable guy, but I play it with full sincerity,' Grodin told the A.V. 'After seeing the movie, a lot of people would approach me with the idea of punching me in the nose,' he said of the role. The movie was a hit and Grodin received high praise. The film was about a newlywed man on his honeymoon who has second thoughts about his marriage to his wife (played by Jeannie Berlin) and falls for a beautiful blonde (played by Cybill Shepherd). He stood out more in the 1972 movie The Heartbreak Kid where he played salesman Lenny Cantrow. He landed his first big part in the TV show The Marrieds in which he played Matt Crane Stevens.Īfter several guest starring roles on TV shows like The Felony Squad, Iron Horse, NYPD and The Big Valley, he secured a role as Dr Hill in the 1968 creepy thriller Rosemary's Baby from Roman Polanski that starred Mia Farrow. Grodin eventually became a star in the 1970s, but might have broken through years earlier: He auditioned for the title role in Mike Nichols´ 1967 classic 'The Graduate,' but the part went instead to Dustin Hoffman. He and his second wife, Elissa Durwood, had a son, Nicholas.Īfter leaving the University of Miami to get his start in Hollywood films, he had a small role as a drummer boy in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in 1954. Grodin and his first wife, Julia Ferguson, had a daughter, comedian Marion Grodin. He studied at the University of Miami and the Pittsburgh Playhouse, worked in summer theatre and then struggled in New York, working nights as a cab driver, postal clerk and watchman while studying acting during the day. He played basketball and later described himself as 'a rough kid, always getting kicked out of class.' ![]() Grodin was born Charles Grodinsky in Pittsburgh in 1935, son of a wholesale dry goods seller who died when Charles was 18. Tributes from former co-stars Steve Martin and Albert Brooks were shared soon after news of his passing.īig hit: The Pennsylvania native was best known for his 1988 film Midnight Run with Robert De Niro. He was the accountant who stole from the mafia next to De Niro's tough talking bounty hunter He also wrote plays and television scripts, winning an Emmy for his work on a 1997 Paul Simon special and wrote several books humorously ruminating on his ups and downs in show business. He also found many other outlets for his talents over his lengthy career. In the 1990s, he made his mark as a liberal commentator on radio and TV. Grodin was known for his everyday looks and his deadpan comedy style that made him a solid sidekick in Hollywood movies and also helped him score roles in plays such as Broadway's Same Time, Next Year. I am very, very sad to hear of his passing.' 'Midnight Run was a great project to work on, and Chuck made it an even better one. In a statement, his former costar De Niro said, 'Chuck was as good a person as he was an actor.' The Pennsylvania native was best known for his 1988 film Midnight Run with Robert De Niro and the 1980 comedy Seems Like Old Times with Goldie Hawn. ![]() Grodin died on Tuesday at his home in Wilton, Connecticut, from bone marrow cancer, his son Nicholas Grodin said. Charles Grodin, the offbeat actor and writer who starred as a newlywed cad in The Heartbreak Kid and the father in the Beethoven comedies, has died at the age of 86. ![]()
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