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Born: April 21, 1935 – Died: May 18, 2021
Charles Sydney Grodin, originally Grodinsky, was a distinctive figure in the world of acting and comedy. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into a Jewish orthodox family of Russian/Polish descent, Grodin's path to stardom was as unique as his on-screen persona. He briefly attended the University of Miami before setting his sights on an acting career, inspired by the film "A Place in the Sun" (1951).
Early Life and Career
Grodin's early years were marked by a blend of determination and talent. He initially embarked on his journey at the University of Miami but soon dropped out to pursue acting. Grodin made his Broadway debut in 1962 and appeared on screen from as early as 1954. However, it wasn't until his role as Dr. C.C. Hill in "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) that he began gaining significant recognition.
His first major starring role came in "The Heartbreak Kid" (1972), where he showcased his ability to blend humor with a hint of cynicism, earning critical acclaim. But it was his portrayal of Jonathan Mardukas in "Midnight Run" (1988) that catapulted him into widespread popularity, showcasing his unique comedic timing and deadpan delivery. This role, along with his performance in family comedies like "Beethoven" (1992), cemented his status in Hollywood.
Grodin's talents weren't limited to acting; he was also a writer, director, and a well-known television host, gaining a reputation for his belligerent, tongue-in-cheek appearances on talk shows. His autobiography, "It Would Be So Nice If You Weren't Here: My Journey Through Show Business" (1989), offers a glimpse into his journey and thoughts.
Grodin was a family man, married to Elissa Durwood, and a father. He kept his personal life relatively private, focusing on his diverse career, which included political commentary and authoring books. His death at age 86 from bone marrow cancer marked the end of an era for an actor who skillfully balanced deadpan humor with a touch of heart in all his roles. His impact on Hollywood is remembered through his distinctive style and contribution to both comedic and serious roles, making him an unforgettable icon in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | An Imperfect Murder | Arthur |
| 2016 | The Comedian | Dick D'Angelo |
| 2016 | The New Yorker Presents (TV Series) | Psychiatrist |
| 2016 | Madoff (TV Mini Series) | Carl Shapiro |
| 2014–2015 | Louie (TV Series) | Dr. Bigelow |
| 2014 | While We're Young | Leslie Breitbart |
| 2014 | The Humbling | Jerry |
| 2013 | The Michael J. Fox Show (TV Series) | Steve Henry |
| 2013 | Brazzaville Teen-Ager (Short) | Father |
| 2012 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) | Brett Forrester |
| 2006 | *The Ex* | Bob Kowalski |
| 1994 | My Summer Story | Mr. Parker (The Old Man) |
| 1994 | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! | TV Special | Chaz |
| 1994 | Clifford | Martin Daniels |
| 1993 | Beethoven's 2nd | George Newton |
| 1993 | Heart and Souls | Harrison Winslow |
| 1993 | So I Married an Axe Murderer | Commandeered Driver |
| 1993 | Dave | Murray Blum |
| 1992 | Beethoven | George Newton |
| 1990 | Taking Care of Business | Spencer |
| 1990 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Quentin Fitzwaller |
| 1989 | Cranium Command (Short) | Left Brain |
| 1988 | Midnight Run | Jonathan Mardukas |
| 1988 | You Can't Hurry Love | Mr. Glerman |
| 1988 | The Couch Trip | George Maitlin |
| 1987 | Ishtar | Jim Harrison |
| 1987 | American Playhouse (TV Series) | Lord Fancourt Babberly |
| 1986 | Fresno (TV Mini Series) | Cane Kensington |
| 1986 | Last Resort | George Lollar |
| 1985 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Jake |
| 1985 | Movers & Shakers | Herb Derman |
| 1984 | The Woman in Red | Buddy |
| 1984 | The Lonely Guy | Warren |
| 1983 | Charley's Aunt (TV Movie) | Lord Fancourt Babberly |
| 1981 | Laverne & Shirley (TV Series) | Charles Grodin |
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | Nicky Holiday |
| 1981 | The Incredible Shrinking Woman | Vance Kramer |
| 1980 | Seems Like Old Times | Ira Parks |
| 1980 | It's My Turn | Homer |
| 1979 | Sunburn | Jake Dekker |
| 1979 | Real Life | Warren Yeager DVM |
| 1978 | The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank (TV Movie) | Jim Benson |
| 1978 | Heaven Can Wait | Tony Abbott |
| 1978 | Just Me and You (TV Movie) | Michael Lindsay |
| 1977 | It Happened One Christmas (TV Movie) | Joseph (voice) |
| 1977 | Thieves | Martin Cramer |
| 1976 | King Kong | Fred Wilson |
| 1974 | 11 Harrowhouse | Howard R. Chesser |
| 1972 | The Heartbreak Kid | Lenny Cantrow |
| 1970 | Catch-22 | Aarfy Aardvark |
| 1969 | Judd for the Defense (TV Series) | D.A. Tom Durant |
| 1968 | Rosemary's Baby | Dr. Hill |
| 1968 | The Big Valley (TV Series) | Mark Dunigan |
| 1967 | N.Y.P.D. (TV Series) | Joey Diamond |
| 1967 | The Guns of Will Sonnett (TV Series) | Bells Pickering |
| 1967 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Arnie Doud |
| 1967 | Captain Nice (TV Series) | News Vendor |
| 1967 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | Carl Platt |
| 1967 | Iron Horse (TV Series) | Alex |
| 1966 | Shane (TV Series) | Jed |
| 1966 | The Felony Squad (TV Series) | Edgar |
| 1965 | The Trials of O'Brien (TV Series) | Peter Farnum |
| 1965 | My Mother the Car (TV Series) | Fred (as Chuck Grodin) |
| 1965 | The Young Marrieds (TV Series) | Matt Crane Stevens |
| 1964 | Sex and the College Girl | Bob |
| 1962 | The Defenders (TV Series) | Thomas Martin |
| 1961 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Phelps |
| 1958 | Decision (TV Series) | Young Hoodlum (uncredited) |
| 1954 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | Drummer Boy (uncredited) |