American actor (1923–2018)
James Karen
Karen in 2014
Born Jacob Karnofsky
(1923-11-28 ) November 28, 1923Died October 23, 2018(2018-10-23) (aged 94) Other names Mr. Pathmark Alma mater Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre Occupation Actor Years active 1948–2018 Spouses Children 1
James Karen (bornJacob Karnofsky ; November 28, 1923 – October 23, 2018) was an Americancharacter actor ofBroadway , film and television. Karen is known for his roles inPoltergeist The China Syndrome Wall Street The Return of the Living Dead Invaders from Mars The Pursuit of Happyness [ 1] pitchman forPathmark , famously appearing in commercials for the now-defunct East Coast-based supermarket chain from the late 1970s to the early 1990s which earned his nickname "Mr. Pathmark".[ 2]
Karen is also known for his recurring television role as Tom Bradford's boss, Eliot Randolph, inEight Is Enough Saturn Award for his 1985 role inThe Return of the Living Dead [citation needed He also appeared in an episode ofCheers
Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky inWilkes-Barre , innortheastern Pennsylvania , the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae (née Freed) and Joseph H. Karnofsky, a produce dealer. His cousin wasMorris Carnovsky , a prominent actor and co-founder of theGroup Theatre .[ 3]
As a young man, Karen was encouraged to be an actor by U.S.Democratic CongressmanDaniel J. Flood , who was an amateur thespian himself, recruiting him into a production at theLittle Theatre of Wilkes-Barre .[ 4] Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.[ 5] U.S. Army Air Forces duringWorld War II .[ 6]
Karen's big break came when he was asked to understudyKarl Malden in the originalBroadway production ofA Streetcar Named Desire [citation needed
On television, he played Dr. Burke onAs the World Turns All My Children Eight Is Enough Pathmark supermarket chain.[ 7] [ 2]
Karen appeared in an episode of the 1977NBC situation comedyThe Kallikaks [ 1] Earl Silbert in the 1979 miniseriesBlind Ambition The Golden Girls Ku Klux Klan chapter, in a 1981 episode ofThe Jeffersons Little House on the Prairie [ 8] The Actors Studio .[ 9] The China Syndrome Oliver Stone 'sWall Street [ 7]
Perhaps his best known roles were in the low-budget horror comedyThe Return of the Living Dead [ 10] Poltergeist [ 10] The Return of the Living Dead , Karen noted that he helped write most scenes for his character: “It was the deal where he figures out he’s becoming azombie and decides to incinerate himself in the crematorium...He kisses his wedding ring as he goes in. It was a very emotional scene, but it also got me out of being one of the rain-drenched zombies milling around outside the place at the end of the film. I didn't really want to do all that muddy stuff".[ 10]
Karen was set to appear inSuperman Returns [ 11] The Pursuit of Happyness [ 1] Bender (2016), directed by John Alexander, andCynthia (2018).[ 10]
Personal life and death [ edit ] He was married toSusan Reed , the actress andfolk singer,[ 12] Buster Keaton ,[ 10] [ 10] [ 13] [ 10]
Karen died on October 23, 2018, at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 94.[ 14] [ 15]
The dedication ofJames Curtis ’s 2022 biographyBuster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life
Selected filmography [ edit ] Film Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster Hercules in New York I Never Sang for My Father Sit Down, Shut Up, or Get Out (1971) as Mr. NewmanRivals Amazing Grace All the President's Men Something for Joey Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night The Gathering Capricorn One Opening Night F.I.S.T. Institute for Revenge The China Syndrome The Jazz Singer Take This Job and Shove It Poltergeist Time Walker Frances Kiss Me Goodbye Sam's Son The Boy Who Loved Trolls The Return of the Living Dead Jagged Edge Invaders from Mars Hardbodies 2 Billionaire Boys Club Wall Street Return of the Living Dead Part II Girlfriend from Hell Vital Signs Road Lawyers and Other Briefs (1990) as Judge Bowelmore (segment "Road Lawyers")The Willies The Closer (1990) as Ned RandallHeart of the Deal (1990)The Unborn Stone Soup (1993) as PaulFuture Shock (1994) as KafkaRevenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Congo Piranha Nixon Bill Rogers Up Close & Personal Behind Enemy Lines Always Say Goodbye (1997) as William TagerJoyride A River Made to Drown In Freedom Strike (1998) as President MitchellShadow of Doubt Girl Apt Pupil One Last Flight (1999) as GrampsMy Last Love Any Given Sunday Thirteen Days Mulholland Drive A House on a Hill Unscripted Superman Returns Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy The Pursuit of Happyness Trail of the Screaming Forehead Dark and Stormy Night Jack and the Beanstalk Sympathy for Delicious The Butterfly Room Ambush at Dark Canyon (2012) as Seymour RedfieldAmerica's Most Haunted (2013) as Ralph GeorgeRain from Stars (2013) as SpencerBender (2016) as Old Man BenderConfessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk Cynthia (2018) as Frank TeagueKaren was nominated for aSaturn Award for Best Actor for his role inThe Return of the Living Dead Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his role inThe Unborn [citation needed
^a b c "A Memorable Evening with Unforgettable Actor James Karen" . NYFA.edu. November 13, 2014. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2015 .^a b "Mr. Pathmark and Life Lessons" . Nicholas Nigro.com. February 27, 2012. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2015 .^ Genzlinger, Neil (October 24, 2018)."James Karen, Veteran Actor and 'Pathmark Man,' Dies at 94" .The New York Times . ^ Gaydos, Kristen."Hollywood actor's career began at Little Theatre" . Citizen Voice. RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 . ^ "James Karen Biography – Yahoo! Movies" . Yahoo. RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 .^ James Karen, Actor in 'Poltergeist' and So Much More, Dies at 94. The Hollywood Reporter ^a b "James Karen at Film Forum" . UnPaidFilmCritic.com. May 21, 2013. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2015 .^ "James Karen by Gilbert Gottfried" . SoundCloud.com. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2015 .^ Garfield, David (1980). "Appendix: Life Members of The Actors Studio as of January 1980".A Player's Place: The Story of The Actors Studio 278 .ISBN 0-02-542650-8 ^a b c d e f g h "James Karen, Actor in 'Poltergeist' and So Much More, Dies at 94" . MSN. RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 .^ "Superman Returns" . Cinema Review. Archived fromthe original on October 25, 2018. RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 .^ Thedeadrockstarsclub.com – accessed April 2010 ^ "James Karen" . Lake Magazine.com. Archived fromthe original on October 8, 2007. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2015 .^ Barnes, Mike."James Karen, Actor in 'Poltergeist' and So Much More, Dies at 94" .The Hollywood Reporter . RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 . ^a b Genzlinger, Neil (October 24, 2018)."James Karen, Veteran Actor and "Pathmark Man", Dies at 94" .The New York Times . RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 . ^ "James Karen" .TV Guide . RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 .^ "James Karen Filmography" . Fandango. RetrievedOctober 24, 2018 .Voisin, Scott,Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting. BearManor Media, 2009.ISBN 978-1-59393-342-5
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