Sydney Lassick (July 23, 1922 – April 12, 2003) was an American character actor perhaps best known for his role as Charlie Cheswick in the

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

'' One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest''. Lassick's first name was sometimes spelled ''Sidney''.

Biography

He was born in

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

, to

Russian Jewish The history of the Jews in Russia and areas historically connected with it goes back at least 1,500 years. Jews in Russia have historically constituted a large religious and ethnic diaspora; the Russian Empire at one time hosted the largest pop ...

immigrants. Lassick, who served in the

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, and afterwards studied drama at

DePaul University DePaul University is a private university, private, Catholic higher education, Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission, Vincentians in 1898, the university takes its name from the 17th-centu ...

, began acting in both films and TV shows in the late 1950s. Lassick is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Charlie Cheswick, a whiny and childish manic depressive patient in the 1975

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...

-winning film ''One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest''. Other memorable roles include a fey Fairy Godfather in the lowbrow ''Sinderella and the Golden Bra'';Mr. Fromm, the spitefully sarcastic English teacher in the 1976 film adaptation of

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high ...

's novel '' Carrie''; the perverse and abusive innkeeper Ernest Keller in slasher horror '' The Unseen''; the slimy Charlie P. in the cult film '' Sonny Boy''; and the effeminate lackey Gopher in '' Deep Cover'' (1992). Lassick also was the voice of Straycatcher #2 in the 1992 animated feature film '' Tom and Jerry: The Movie.'' In television, Lassick guest starred on such shows as ''

Eight Is Enough ''Eight Is Enough'' is an American television comedy-drama series that ran on ABC from March 15, 1977, until May 23, 1981. The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, w ...

'', ''

Baretta ''Baretta'' is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a revised and milder version of a 1973–1974 ABC series, ''Toma'', starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey poli ...

'', '' Hawaii Five-O'', ''

Barney Miller ''Barney Miller'' is an American sitcom television series set in a New York City Police Department police station on East 6th St in Greenwich Village. The series was broadcast on ABC Network from January 23, 1975, to May 20, 1982. It was created ...

'', ''

Matt Houston ''Matt Houston'' was an American crime drama television series starring Lee Horsley as the title character, a wealthy oilman who decides to hold a side job as a private investigator. Created by Lawrence Gordon and produced by Aaron Spelling, ...

'', ''

Moonlighting Moonlighting may refer to: * Side job, a job taken in addition to one's primary employment Entertainment * ''Moonlighting'' (film), a 1982 drama film by Jerzy Skolimowski * ''Moonlighting'' (TV series), 1985–1989 American television series, ...

'', ''

Night Court ''Night Court'' is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from January 4, 1984 to May 31, 1992. The setting was the night shift of a Manhattan municipal court presided over by a young, unorthodox judge, Harold "Harry" T. Stone (portra ...

'', ''

Knots Landing ''Knots Landing'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of ''Dallas'', it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centered on the lives of ...

'', '' Dream On'' and ''

The X-Files ''The X-Files'' is an American science fiction on television, science fiction drama (film and television), drama television series created by Chris Carter (screenwriter), Chris Carter. The series revolves around Federal Bureau of Investigation ...

''. While usually a supporting actor, he played the lead in an episode of ''

Amazing Stories ''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...

'' called "Remote Control Man." Though a successful actor, Lassick maintained a steady job as a trucking company's dispatcher throughout his career. He asserted that actors never knew when the acting jobs would stop coming.

Death

Lassick died from complications of

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ...

, at age 80 in

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wo ...

. Lassick was buried in a simple Jewish service, in the southwest Maimonides section, at

Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery is the largest Jewish cemetery organization in California. History Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, owned by Sinai Temple of Los Angeles, refers to two Jewish cemeteries in the Los Angeles metrop ...

Filmography

*'' The Bonnie Parker Story'' (1958) as Scout Master *'' Paratroop Command'' (1959) as Interpreter *''

Al Capone Alphonse Gabriel Capone (; January 17, 1899 – January 25, 1947), sometimes known by the nickname "Scarface", was an American gangster and businessman who attained notoriety during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and boss of the ...

'' (1959) as Hot Dog Vendor (uncredited) *''Sinderella and the Golden Bra'' (1964) as Fairy Godfather (as Sid Lassick) *'' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (1975) as Charlie Cheswick *'' Carrie'' (1976) as Mr. Fromm *''

The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington ''The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington'' is a 1977 American comedy film directed by William A. Levey. It was the sequel to ''The Happy Hooker'', which was released in 1975. Joey Heatherton replaced Lynn Redgrave as the lead character of Xaviera ...

'' (1977) as Percy Bowlder *''

The Billion Dollar Hobo ''The Billion Dollar Hobo'' is a 1977 American comedy film starring Tim Conway and Will Geer (in his last role). Plot Conway is Vernon Praiseworthy, only heir to his uncle's fortune, who faced poverty and misfortune during the Great Depression b ...

'' (1977) as Mitchell *''Bunco'' (1977, TV Movie) *'' China 9, Liberty 37'' (1978) as sheriff's friend *''Greatest Heroes of the Bible'' (1978, TV mini series) as King Agadiz *'' The Cracker Factory'' (1979) (TV) as Ernie *'' Hot Stuff'' (1979) as Hymie *'' Skatetown, U.S.A.'' (1979) as Murray *''

1941 Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January– August – 10,072 men, women and children with mental and physical disabilities are asphyxiated with carbon monoxide in a gas chamber, at Hadamar E ...

'' (1979) as Salesman (uncredited) *''

Alligator An alligator is a large reptile in the Crocodilia order in the genus ''Alligator'' of the family Alligatoridae. The two Extant taxon, extant species are the American alligator (''A. mississippiensis'') and the Chinese alligator (''A. sinensis'' ...

'' (1980) as Luke Gutchel (as Sidney Lassick) *'' The Unseen'' (1980) as Ernest Keller *'' History of the World: Part I'' (1981) as Applecore Vendor *'' Pandemonium'' (1982) as Man in Bus Station *''

Partners Partner, Partners, The Partner, or, The Partners may refer to: Books * ''The Partner'' (Grisham novel), by John Grisham, 1997 * ''The Partner'' (Jenaro Prieto novel), 1928 * ''The Partners'' (book), a 1983 book by James B. Stewart * ''Partner'' (m ...

'' (1982) as Photo Shoot Assistant (uncredited) *'' Fast-Walking'' (1982) as Ted *''Forty Days of Musa Dagh'' (1982) as Osman *'' Silent Madness'' (1984) as Sheriff Liggett *''

Night Patrol Night (also described as night time, unconventionally spelled as "nite") is the period of ambient darkness from sunset to sunrise during each 24-hour day, when the Sun is below the horizon. The exact time when night begins and ends depends o ...

'' (1984) as Peeping Tom (as Sidney Lassick) *'' Monaco Forever'' (1984) as American Tourist *''Stitches'' (1985) as Sheldon Mendlebaum *''

Ratboy ''Ratboy'' is a 1986 American drama film directed by and starring Sondra Locke. The make-up effects were designed by Rick Baker. The film's scenario is at times comic or serious, and one of its peculiarities is that there never is any explanation ...

'' (1986) as Lee 'Dial-A-Prayer' *''

Body Slam Professional wrestling throws are the application of professional wrestling techniques that involve lifting the opponent up and throwing or slamming them down. They are sometimes also called "power" maneuvers, as they are meant to emphasize a wrest ...

'' (1987) as Shapiro *'' Lady in White'' (1988) as Mr. Lowry *''

The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck ''The Further Adventures of Tennessee Buck'' is a 1988 Sri Lankan-American adventure comedy film directed by and starring David Keith. Cast *David Keith as Buck Malone * Kathy Shower as Barbara Manchester *Brant Van Hoffman as Ken Manchester *Sy ...

'' (1988) as Wolfgang Meyer *''Sonny Boy'' (1989) as Charlie P. *''Out on Bail'' (1989) as Otis T. Smiley *''Curse II: The Bite'' (1989) as George *''Tale of Two Sisters'' (1989) as Dad *''Judgement'' (1989) as Dr. Henry Silver *'' Pacific Palisades'' (1990) as Mr. Beer *''Smoothtalker'' (1990) as Mr. Nathan *''Wishful Thinking'' (1990) as Dr. Harding *'' Committed'' (1991) as Gow *''

Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead ''Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead'' is a 1991 American coming-of-age black comedy film directed by Stephen Herek, written by Neil Landau and Tara Ison, and starring Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy, Keith Coogan, John Getz and Josh ...

'' (1991) as Franklin *''The Art of Dying'' (1991) as Wallie *'' Shakes the Clown'' (1991) as Peppy the Clown *''

Cool as Ice ''Cool as Ice'' is a 1991 American romantic musical comedy film directed by David Kellogg, written by David Stenn and starring rapper Vanilla Ice in his feature film debut. The plot focuses on Johnny Van Owen, a freewheeling, motorcycle-riding ...

'' (1991) as Roscoe *'' Deep Cover'' (1992) as Gopher *''

Judgement Judgement (or US spelling judgment) is also known as ''adjudication'', which means the evaluation of evidence to make a decision. Judgement is also the ability to make considered decisions. The term has at least five distinct uses. Aristotle su ...

'' (1992) as Dr. Henry Silver *''Miracle Beach'' (1992) as Tooth Fairy *'' Tom and Jerry: The Movie'' (1992) as Straycatcher #2 (voice) *''Eye of the Stranger'' (1993) as Oli *'' Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'' (1993) as Competition Announcer *''Future Shock'' (1994) as Mr. Johnson *''Freeway'' (1996) as Woody Wilson *'' Johns'' (1996) as Al *''Squanderers'' (1996) as Peter Chisholm *'' American Vampire'' (1997) as Bruno *'' Man on the Moon'' (1999) as Crystal Healer *'' Something to Sing About'' (2000) as Elderly Man (final film role)

Notable TV guest appearances

*''

Serpico ''Serpico'' is a 1973 American neo-noir biographical crime drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title role. The screenplay was adapted by Waldo Salt and Norman Wexler from the book of the same name written by P ...

'' as Goldman in episode 1.0: "The Deadly Game", 24 April 1976 *''

The Man from Atlantis ''Man from Atlantis'' is a short-lived American science fiction/fantasy television series that ran for 13 episodes on the NBC network during the 1977–78 season, following four television films that had aired earlier in 1977. Ratings success b ...

'' as Smith in episode 1.7: "The Hawk of Mu", 18 October 1977 *''

'' as Mr. Kaminsky in episode 2.6: "Dark Horse", 26 October 1977 *''

'' in episode 4.8: "Who Can Make the Sun Shine?", 30 November 1977 *''

Tabitha Tabitha () is an English feminine given name, originating with (or made popular through) Saint Tabitha, mentioned in the New Testament. In the Bible Tabitha or Dorcas is a woman mentioned in the New Testament. The English name is derived fro ...

'' as Warlock in episode 1.9: "What's Wrong with Mister Right?", 31 December 1977 *'' Kaz'' in episode 1.7: "Which Side Are You On?", 5 November 1978 *''

'' **as Mr. Cummings in episode 5.11: "Toys", 14 December 1978 **as Victor Carse (as Sidney Lassick, in episode 6.22: "Fog", 8 May 1980 *''

Archie Bunker's Place ''Archie Bunker's Place'' is an American television sitcom produced as a continuation of ''All in the Family''. It aired on CBS from September 23, 1979, to April 4, 1983. While not as popular as its predecessor, the show maintained a large enoug ...

'' as Sid in episode 3.4: "Harry's Investment", 25 October 1981 and in episode 3.3: "The Date", 11 October 1981 *''

Gloria Gloria may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music Christian liturgy and music * Gloria in excelsis Deo, the Greater Doxology, a hymn of praise * Gloria Patri, the Lesser Doxology, a short hymn of praise ** Gloria (Handel) ** Gloria (Jenkin ...

'' as Dr. Montego in episode 1.20: "Class Struggle", 3 April 1983 *''

'' as Brady in episode 2.5: "Needle in a Haystack", 7 October 1983 *''

'' as Leo in episode 2.4: "Pick a Number", 25 October 1984 *''

'' as Walter Poindexter in episode 1.10: "Remote Control Man", 8 December 1985 *''

'' as Neighbor in episode 2.11: "The Bride of Tupperman", 14 January 1986 *'' Gabriel's Fire'' as Liebowitz in episode 1.19: "One Flew Over the Bird's Nest", 17 April 1991 *'' On the Air'' as Mr. Zoblotnick in episodes 1.7 & 1.4, 1992 *'' Dream On'' as Mr. Janovic in episode 4.18: "Martin Tupper in 'Magnum Farce'", 16 February 1994 *''

'' as Chuck Forsch in episode 4.22: "

Elegy An elegy is a poem of serious reflection, and in English literature usually a lament for the dead. However, according to ''The Oxford Handbook of the Elegy'', "for all of its pervasiveness ... the 'elegy' remains remarkably ill defined: sometime ...

", 4 May 1997

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lassick, Sidney 1922 births 2003 deaths Male actors from Chicago American male film actors American male television actors Jewish American male actors Deaths from diabetes American people of Russian-Jewish descent Burials at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery 20th-century American male actors DePaul University alumni United States Navy personnel of World War II 20th-century American Jews 21st-century American Jews