Actor
The Resume
(July 25, 1908-June 4, 1990)
Born in New York City, New York
Birth name was Jacob Aaron Gellman
Romanian-Jewish heritage
Acted in 'Hey, Rookie (1944),' 'The Daydreamer (1966),' 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966),' 'Who's Minding the Mint? (1967),' 'Catch-22 (1970),' 'They Might Be Giants (1971),' 'Save the Tiger (1973),' 'Wholly Moses (1980),' 'Caveman (1981),' 'Anna to the Infinite Power (1983),' 'Cocoon (1985),' 'Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988)' and 'Cocoon: The Return (1988)'
Portrayed Alex Reiger's father Joe on two episodes of 'Taxi,' Saul on five episodes of 'Soap' and Max Weinstock on two episodes of 'The Golden Girls'
Guest starred on episodes of 'Car 54, Where Are You?,' 'The Defenders,' 'Get Smart,' ' Night Court' and 'Thirtysomething'
Died of stomach cancer in New York City at age 81
Why he might be annoying
His mother was a bootlegger during the Prohibition Era.
He and his future wife were married to other people when they fell in love and divorced their spouses.
He was a character actor who played mostly Jewish roles.
He did impressions and his most famous bit was 'split pea soup coming to a furious boil' exclusively using facial features.
He lost his only bid for an Oscar in 1974 as Best Supporting Actor for the film 'Save the Tiger' (his co-star Jack Lemmon won as Best Actor).
Why he might not be annoying
He got his showbiz start by being 'discovered' working in a pharmacy by Milton Berle, who became his mentor.
He adopted his wife's child from a previous marriage.
His left wing causes for social and political reform caused him to be blacklisted during the 1950s.
He was a veteran of 18 Broadway plays.
He endeared himself to young and old alike with his humor for a dozen years in TV Cracker Jack commercials (1960-72).
He won a Daytime Emmy award in 1979 for a guest appearance on the kiddie series 'Big Blue Marble.'
He completed his last two movies knowing he had stomach cancer.
Credit: Scar Tactics
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Year In Review:
For 2021, as of last week, Out of 82 Votes: 2.44% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 80 Votes: 41.25% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 21 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 37 Votes: 48.65% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 35.29% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 26 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 43 Votes: 39.53% Annoying
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