An Oscar-nominated and prolific character actor with several Disney roles to his credit during his 60-year career has died at the age of 81.
Michael Lerner, an American film and voice actor who played multiple roles in various film and television projects throughout a career that spanned six decades, has died, according to Entertainment Weekly. He was 81 years old.
During the course of his lengthy career, Lerner appeared in a wide range of films and television series. From The Brady Bunch and Harlem Nights to Entourage and Elf, Lerner played various characters, depending on what his roles called for. Lerner played the role of Jack Ruby in Ruby and Oswald (1978), Arnold Rothstein in Eight Men Out (1988), and the publisher Mr. Greenway in Elf (2003), starring Will Ferrell.
He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1991 film Barton Fink.
For The Walt Disney Company, Lerner appeared in numerous films. He played the part of Weasel in Newsies (1992), the role of Edward Biderman in Disney’s Blank Check (1994), and Perry in A Pyromaniac’s Love Story (1995). In 1999, Lerner played the role of Mr. Channing in Disney’s My Favorite Martian, starring Christopher Lloyd and Jeff Daniels, and voiced the role of the Producer in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure (2003).
Michael Lerner was born in Brooklyn on June 22, 1941. He studied acting at Brooklyn College before earning his Master’s degree at the University of California at Berkeley. He also attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where he studied theater on a Fullbright Scholarship.
Lerner’s nephew, Sam Lerner, made an announcement about his uncle’s death via Instagram.
“We lost a legend last night,” Sam Lerner wrote. “It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my Uncle Michael was and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special.”
Lerner continued, saying, “Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was — in the best way. I’m so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”