George Dzundza facts for kids

George Dzundza (pronounced ZUUND-zə) is a retired American actor born on July 19, 1945. He is famous for his many roles in movies and on television. You might know him as Sergeant Max Greevey from the first season of the TV show Law & Order. He was also the voice for characters in popular cartoons, like the Ventriloquist in Batman: The Animated Series and Perry White in Superman: The Animated Series.

Dzundza has appeared in many well-known films. These include The Deer Hunter (1978), No Way Out (1987), Crimson Tide (1995), and Dangerous Minds (1995). He also had a recurring role as Harold O'Malley on the TV series Grey's Anatomy.

Early Life and Education

George Dzundza was born in Rosenheim, Germany, right after World War II ended. His father, Roman Dzundza, was from Ukraine, and his mother, Maria Humenecka, was from Poland. During the war, his parents were forced by the Nazis to work in factories. Because of this, George spent his first few years in camps for displaced people, which were places for families who had lost their homes in the war.

In 1949, his family moved to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Seven years later, in 1956, they moved to the United States and settled in New York City. George grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and later became a U.S. citizen. He went to Xavier High School and St. John's University, where he studied acting with famous teachers.

Acting Career

Starting on Stage and Screen

Dzundza started acting during his first year of college after another student encouraged him. His first professional acting job was in a 1973 production of the play King Lear for the New York Shakespeare Festival. He later went on a national tour with the play That Championship Season.

He also acted on Broadway, which is home to New York's biggest theaters. In 1979, he played a character named Cully Sawyer in the horror TV miniseries Salem's Lot.

Famous Roles in the 1980s

In 1981, Dzundza starred in a TV comedy series called Open All Night. In the show, he played the owner of a convenience store. That same year, he played a very different role in the TV movie Skokie, where he portrayed the leader of a Nazi group.

One of his most celebrated roles was in the 1983 movie Streamers. For their work in the film, the entire main cast, including Dzundza, won the Best Actor award at the Venice International Film Festival.

Throughout the 1980s, he appeared in several other major films. He played a man in a wheelchair in No Way Out (1987) and a tank commander in The Beast (1988).

Success in the 1990s and Beyond

In 1990, Dzundza became one of the original cast members of the popular TV drama Law & Order. He played NYPD Sergeant Max Greevey, but he left the show after the first season.

He continued to act in major movies like White Hunter Black Heart (1990), The Butcher's Wife (1991), Crimson Tide (1995), and Dangerous Minds (1995).

Dzundza was also a talented voice actor. He provided the voice for the villain known as the Ventriloquist and his puppet Scarface in Batman: The Animated Series. He was also the voice of Perry White, the tough but fair editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet newspaper, in Superman: The Animated Series.

From 2005 to 2007, he had a recurring role on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy as Harold O'Malley, the father of Dr. George O'Malley.

Personal Life

George Dzundza married Mary Jo Vermeulen in 1982. Together, they have three daughters and two grandchildren.

After a long and successful career, Dzundza is now semi-retired. He lives in Astoria, Oregon, where he enjoys directing plays for local theaters.

Selected Film and TV Roles

Here are some of George Dzundza's most notable roles in movies and on television.

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: George Dzundza para niños