David Joseph Margulies (February 19, 1937 – January 11, 2016) was an American actor.

Early life

Margulies was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

, New York City, the son of Runya ('' née'' Zeltzer), a nurse and museum employee, and Harry David Margulies, a lawyer. He graduated from City College of New York.

Career

Margulies made his stage debut in the off-Broadway play ''Golden 6'' (1958). In that same year, he joined the American Shakespeare Festival as an apprentice, which led to his receiving an

Actors' Equity Association The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a boo ...

contract for the 1960 theater season. His first

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

appearance was in the 1973 revival of ''

The Iceman Cometh ''The Iceman Cometh'' is a play written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill in 1939. First published in 1946, the play premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 9, 1946, directed by Eddie Dowling, where it ran for 136 perf ...

''. His film credits include ''

The Front ''The Front'' is a 1976 drama film set against the Hollywood blacklist in the 1950s, when artists, writers, directors, and others were rendered unemployable, having been accused of subversive political activities in support of Communism or of b ...

'' (1976), ''

Last Embrace ''Last Embrace'' is a 1979 American neo-noir thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme. Very loosely based on the novel ''The 13th Man'' by Murray Teigh Bloom, it stars Roy Scheider and Janet Margolin, telling the story of a woman who takes the ro ...

'' (1979), '' All That Jazz'' (1979), ''

Hide in Plain Sight ''Hide in Plain Sight'' is a 1980 American drama film directed by and starring James Caan with the storyline based on an actual case from the files of New York attorney Salvatore R. Martoche who represented Tom Leonard, a real-life Buffalo, New Yo ...

'' (1980), '' Dressed to Kill'' (1980), ''

Times Square Times Square is a major commercial intersection, tourist destination, entertainment hub, and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street. Together with adjacent ...

'' (1980), ''

I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can ''I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can'' is a 1982 American biographical film directed by Jack Hofsiss and starring Jill Clayburgh. The screenplay by David Rabe is based on the memoir of the same title by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara G ...

'' (1982), '' Daniel'' (1983), ''

Ghostbusters ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, thr ...

'' (1984), ''

Brighton Beach Memoirs ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'' is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon, the first chapter in what is known as his Eugene trilogy. It precedes ''Biloxi Blues'' and ''Broadway Bound''. Productions ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'' had a pre-Broadway e ...

'' (1986), ''

9½ Weeks ''9½ Weeks'' is a 1986 American erotic romantic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne, and starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Basinger portrays a New York City art gallery employee who has a brief yet intense affair with a mysterious Wal ...

'' (1986), ''

Ishtar Inanna, also sux, 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒀭𒈾, nin-an-na, label=none is an ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, and fertility. She is also associated with beauty, sex, divine justice, and political power. She was originally worshiped in Su ...

'' (1987), '' Running on Empty'' (1988), '' Ghostbusters II'' (1989), '' Out on a Limb'' (1992), ''

A Stranger Among Us ''A Stranger Among Us'' is a 1992 American crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Melanie Griffith. It tells the story of an undercover police officer's experiences in a Hasidic community. It was entered into the 1992 Cannes Film F ...

'' (1992), '' Ace Ventura: Pet Detective'' (1994), and ''

Fading Gigolo ''Fading Gigolo'' is a 2013 American comedy film directed, written by, and starring John Turturro. The film, co-starring Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Paradis, Liev Schreiber and Eugenia Kuzmina premiered in the Special Pres ...

'' (2013). His television credits include ''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American action crime drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Taking the time slot of the popular ''Cannon'' series, ...

'', ''

Tales from the Darkside ''Tales from the Darkside'' is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero. Debuting in October 1983 with a pilot episode and then being picked up for syndication in September 1984, the show ran for 4 seasons through Ju ...

'', '' Spenser: For Hire'', ''

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd ''The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd'' is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on NBC from May 21, 1987 to June 29, 1988 and on Lifetime from April 17, 1989 to April 13, 1991. It was created by Jay Tarses and stars Blair Brown in ...

'', '' Chicago Hope'', '' NYPD Blue'', '' Northern Exposure'', ''

Touched by an Angel ''Touched by an Angel'' is an American fantasy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994, and ran for 211 episodes over nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and executive produced ...

'', four episodes of '' Law & Order'', and eight episodes of ''

The Sopranos ''The Sopranos'' is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story revolves around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster, portraying his difficulties as he tries to balance ...

'' as mob boss

Tony Soprano Anthony John Soprano is a fictional character and the antihero protagonist in the HBO television drama series ''The Sopranos'' (1999–2007), portrayed by James Gandolfini. Soprano is a member of the Italian-American Mafia and, especially late ...

's lawyer Neil Mink.

Personal life

Margulies died on January 11, 2016, of cancer in

Manhattan, New York Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

, at the age of 78. He was survived by his partner, actress

Lois Smith Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American character actress whose career spans eight decades. She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film ''East of Eden (film), East of Eden'', and later played supporting roles i ...

, as well as his son Johnathon and his grandson from his marriage which had ended in divorce.Reddit comment from his grandson; mods verified it in the comment below his.
/ref>

Filmography

* ''Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers'' (1972) as Walter Mitty (film debut) * ''

'' (1976) as Phelps * ''

'' (1979) as Rabbi Josh Drexel * '' All That Jazz'' (1979) as Larry Goldie * ''Night-Flowers'' (1979) as Psychiatrist * ''

'' (1980) as Detective Reilly * '' Dressed to Kill'' (1980) as Dr. Levy * ''

'' (1980) as Dr. Zymansky * ''

'' (1982) as Walter Kress * '' Daniel'' (1983) as Dr. Duberstein * ''

'' (1984) as Mayor Lenny Clotch * ''

'' (1985, "Distant Signals" TV episode) as Gil Hurn * ''

'' (1986) as Harvey * ''

'' (1986) as Mr. Farber * ''

Candy Mountain ''Candy Mountain'' is a 1987 drama film directed by Robert Frank and Rudy Wurlitzer, and starring Kevin J. O'Connor, Harris Yulin and Tom Waits. Set in New York City and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, it is categorized as a drama and road movie, dr ...

'' (1987) as Lawyer * ''

'' (1987) as Mr. Clarke * ''Magic Sticks'' (1987) as Goldfarb * '' Running on Empty'' (1988) as Dr. Jonah Reiff * '' Ghostbusters II'' (1989) as Lenny Clotch, The Mayor of

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

* '' Funny About Love'' (1990) as Dr. Benjamin * '' Law & Order'' (1991–2004, TV) as Various Roles * ''

'' (1992) as Lt. Oliver * '' Out on a Limb'' (1992) as Mr. Buchenwald * ''

Day of Atonement Yom Kippur (; he, יוֹם כִּפּוּר, , , ) is the holiest day in Judaism and Samaritanism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, the first month of the Hebrew calendar. Primarily centered on atonement and repentance, the day's o ...

'' (1992) (English version, voice) * ''

Family Prayers ''Family Prayers'' is a 1993 American drama film starring Joe Mantegna, Anne Archer, Paul Reiser and Patti LuPone. It was directed by Scott Rosenfeld. It is notable for being the first film role of Brittany Murphy, who had a non-speaking role. P ...

'' (1993) as Uncle Sam * '' Ace Ventura: Pet Detective'' (1994) as Doctor * ''The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Hollywood Follies'' (1994, TV) as

Carl Laemmle Carl Laemmle (; born Karl Lämmle; January 17, 1867 – September 24, 1939) was a film producer and the co-founder and, until 1934, owner of Universal Pictures. He produced or worked on over 400 films. Regarded as one of the most important o ...

* ''

Hudson River Blues ''Hudson River Blues'' is a 1997 independent film. "The film tells the story of a two-career couple and how they deal with the wife's urge to become a high-powered lawyer and the husband's desire to change jobs and become an environmentalist car ...

'' (1997) as Stan * ''Lifebreath'' (1997) as Abe Gross * ''

Celebrity Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group as a result of the attention given to them by mass media. An individual may attain a celebrity status from having great wealth, their participation in sports ...

'' (1998) as Counselor Adelman * ''

Man of the Century ''Man of the Century'' is a 1999 American comedy film directed by Adam Abraham and written by Abraham and Gibson Frazier. The film stars Frazier, Cara Buono, Susan Egan, Dwight Ewell and Anthony Rapp. It is a farce about the attitudes, values, ...

'' (1999) as Mr. Meyerscholtz * ''

Looking for an Echo ''Looking for an Echo'' is 2000 independent drama film. Plot The lead singer of an oldies group reminisces about the good ol' days and a potential comeback. Cast * Armand Assante as Vinnie Pirelli **Rick Faugno as Young Vinnie Pirelli * Diane ...

'' (2000) as Dr. Ludwig * ''

'' (2000–2007, TV) as Neil Mink * ''

'' (2001, TV) as Sam Silverstein * ''Bought & Sold'' (2003) as Kutty Nazarian * ''Invitation to a Suicide'' (2004) as Roman Malek * ''Whiskey School'' (2005) as Rex Michaels * ''

Ira & Abby ''Ira & Abby'' is a 2006 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Cary and released in the United States by Magnolia Pictures. The poignant love story stars Chris Messina and Jennifer Westfeldt (who also wrote the screenplay) in the title ...

'' (2006) as Dr. Arnold Friedman * ''

Noise Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, there is no distinction between noise and desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water. The difference aris ...

'' (2007) as Heart Attack Man * '' All Good Things'' (2010) as Mayor * ''

Roadie The road crew (or roadies) are the technicians or support personnel who travel with a band on tour, usually in sleeper buses, and handle every part of the concert productions except actually performing the music with the musicians. This ca ...

'' (2011) as Don Muller * '' The Girl on the Train'' (2013) as Morris Herzman * ''

'' (2013) as Chief Rebbe * '' A Most Violent Year'' (2014) as Saul Lefkowitz * '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (2015, TV) as Dr. Eric Setrakian * ''License Plates'' (2016) as Jacob * '' Madoff'' as Elie Wiesel * ''Adam Bloom'' (2016) as Harris Sutton (final film) * '' Curmudgeons'' (2016, Short) as Ralph (released posthumously)

Additional Broadway credits

* ''

Comedians A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolish (as in slapstick), or employing prop comedy. A comedian who addresses an audience dire ...

'' (1976) * ''

The West Side Waltz ''The West Side Waltz'' is a play by Ernest Thompson. The play focuses on Margaret Mary Elderdice, an aging, widowed pianist living in a dreary Upper West Side apartment, and her relationships with a prim, virginal violinist neighbor and the young ...

'' (1981) * ''

'' (1983) * ''

Conversations with My Father ''Conversations with My Father'' is a play by Herb Gardner. The play, which ran on Broadway in 1992 to 1993, was a finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Overview The play focuses on Eddie Ross (born Goldberg), who is a Russian immigran ...

'' (1992) * '' Angels in America: Millennium Approaches'' (1993) * '' Angels in America: Perestroika'' (1993) * '' A Thousand Clowns'' (1996 revival) * '' 45 Seconds from Broadway'' (2001) * ''

Wonderful Town ''Wonderful Town'' is a 1953 musical with book written by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and music by Leonard Bernstein. The musical tells the story of two sisters who aspire to be a writer and act ...

'' (2003 revival)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Margulies, David 1937 births 2016 deaths 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors American male film actors American male stage actors American male television actors City College of New York alumni Jewish American male actors Male actors from New York City People from Brooklyn 21st-century American Jews