James Karen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Karen
|
|
|---|---|
Karen in 2014
|
|
| Born |
Jacob Karnofsky
November 28, 1923 |
| Died | October 23, 2018 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Other names | Mr. Pathmark |
| Alma mater | Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1948–2018 |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 1 |
James Karen (born Jacob Karnofsky; November 28, 1923 – October 23, 2018) was an American actor. He was known for playing many different types of characters in movies, TV shows, and on Broadway.
James Karen was famous for his roles in films like Poltergeist, The China Syndrome, Wall Street, The Return of the Living Dead, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Many people also knew him as "Mr. Pathmark." This was because he appeared in commercials for the Pathmark supermarket chain for many years.
He also had a regular role on the TV show Eight Is Enough. He played Eliot Randolph, who was Tom Bradford's boss. James Karen was even nominated for an award called the Saturn Award for his role in The Return of the Living Dead in 1985.
Early life
James Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This city is in northeastern Pennsylvania. His parents, Mae and Joseph H. Karnofsky, were Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father sold fresh produce.
His uncle was Morris Carnovsky, who was also a famous actor. Morris Carnovsky helped start a theater group called the Group Theatre.
When James Karen was young, a U.S. Congressman named Daniel J. Flood encouraged him to act. Congressman Flood was also an amateur actor. He helped Karen get a part in a play at the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. James Karen later studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York. He also served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
Career highlights
James Karen got his first big chance in acting on Broadway. He was asked to be the understudy for Karl Malden in the play A Streetcar Named Desire. An understudy learns a role so they can perform if the main actor can't.
On television, he played Dr. Burke on As the World Turns. He was also the first actor to play Lincoln Tyler on All My Children. He was very well known for his regular role on the TV series Eight Is Enough.
For 20 years, James Karen was the face and voice of the Pathmark supermarket chain. He appeared in their TV and radio commercials. Because of this, people in New York often called him "Mr. Pathmark."
He also appeared in an episode of The Jeffersons in 1981. He played a businessman named Herbert Purcell. Later, he played Nathan Lassiter in the final TV movie of Little House on the Prairie. Nathan Lassiter was a powerful businessman who caused trouble for the town of Walnut Grove.
James Karen was a member of The Actors Studio for his whole life. This is a famous place where actors can train and work together. His other important movie roles include The China Syndrome and Oliver Stone's Wall Street.
Two of his most famous roles were in horror films. In The Return of the Living Dead, he played a warehouse manager. His character accidentally releases a gas that brings the dead back to life. In Poltergeist, he played a real-estate developer. His character built a new community on top of an old cemetery.
In an interview from 2006, James Karen talked about his role in The Return of the Living Dead. He said he helped write many of the scenes for his character. He mentioned the scene where his character realizes he is becoming a zombie. He then decides to burn himself in a crematorium. He said it was a very emotional scene. It also meant he didn't have to act as one of the muddy zombies in the rain at the end of the movie.
Later in his career, James Karen was recognized for his role as Martin Frohm. This was in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness. His last movie roles were in the smaller films Bender (2016) and Cynthia (2018).
Personal life
James Karen was married to Susan Reed, who was an actress and folk singer. They had one son named Reed. Reed's godfather was Buster Keaton, who was a good friend of James Karen. James Karen and Susan Reed divorced in 1967. He then married Alba Francesca in 1986.
James Karen passed away on October 23, 2018. He was 94 years old and died at his home in Los Angeles.
Selected filmography
- Sources:
- Film (1965, Short) as Passerby
- Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster (1965) as Dr. Adam Steele
- Hercules in New York (1970) as Professor Camden
- I Never Sang for My Father (1970) as Old Age Home Director
- Rivals (1972) as Child Psychiatrist
- Amazing Grace (1974) as Mr. Annenberg
- All the President's Men (1976) as Hugh Sloan's Lawyer
- Something for Joey (1977, TV Movie) as Dr. Wingreen
- Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977, TV Movie) as Dr. Sutterman
- The Gathering (1977, TV Movie) as Bob Block
- Capricorn One (1978) as Vice President Price
- Opening Night (1977) as Bellboy
- F.I.S.T. (1978) as Mr. Andrews
- Institute for Revenge (1979, TV Movie) as Power Broker
- The China Syndrome (1979) as Mac Churchill
- The Jazz Singer (1980) as Barney Callahan
- Take This Job and Shove It (1981) as Loomis
- Poltergeist (1982) as Mr. Teague
- Time Walker (1982) as Dr. Wendell J. Rossmore
- Frances (1982) as Judge Hillier
- Kiss Me Goodbye (1982) as Lawyer (uncredited)
- Sam's Son (1984) as Mr. Collins
- The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984, TV Movie) as Richman
- The Return of the Living Dead (1985) as Frank Johnson
- Jagged Edge (1985) as Andrew Hardesty
- Invaders from Mars (1986) as General Climet Wilson
- Hardbodies 2 (1986) as Logan
- Billionaire Boys Club (1987, TV Movie) as Mr. Fairmont Sr.
- Wall Street (1987) as Mr. Lynch
- Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988) as Ed Mathews
- Girlfriend from Hell (1989) as Carl's Dad
- Vital Signs (1990) as Dean of Students
- Road Lawyers and Other Briefs (1990) as Judge Bowelmore (segment "Road Lawyers")
- The Willies (1990) as Uncle Harry / Mr. Jenkins
- The Closer (1990) as Ned Randall
- Heart of the Deal (1990)
- The Unborn (1991) as Dr. Richard Meyerling
- Stone Soup (1993) as Paul
- Future Shock (1994) as Kafka
- Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (1994, TV Movie) as Mylan Whitfield
- Congo (1995) as College President, Elliot's Boss
- Piranha (1995) as Governor
- Nixon (1995) as Bill Rogers
- Up Close & Personal (1996) as Tom Orr
- Behind Enemy Lines (1997) as TV Reporter
- Always Say Goodbye (1997) as William Tager
- Joyride (1997) as The Client
- A River Made to Drown In (1997) as Ray
- Freedom Strike (1998) as President Mitchell
- Shadow of Doubt (1998) as Norman Calloway
- Girl (1998) as Dad
- Apt Pupil (1999) as Victor Bowden
- One Last Flight (1999) as Gramps
- My Last Love (1999) as Phil Morton
- Any Given Sunday (1999) as Christina's Advisor
- Thirteen Days (2000) as George Ball
- Mulholland Drive (2001) as Wally Brown
- A House on a Hill (2003) as Sy
- Unscripted (2005, TV Series) as Dante's Friend
- Superman Returns (2006) as Ben Hubbard (Scenes Deleted)
- Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy (2006) as Leroy Parker
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) as Martin Frohm
- Trail of the Screaming Forehead (2007) as Reverend Beaks
- Dark and Stormy Night (2009) as Seyton Ethelquake
- Jack and the Beanstalk (2009) as Verri Saddius
- Sympathy for Delicious (2010) as Father Rohn
- The Butterfly Room (2012) as Taxidermist
- Ambush at Dark Canyon (2012) as Seymour Redfield
- America's Most Haunted (2013) as Ralph George
- Rain from Stars (2013) as Spencer
- Bender (2016) as Old Man Bender
- Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk (2017) as Interviewee No. 1
- Cynthia (2018) as Frank Teague
Awards
James Karen was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actor in 1985. This was for his role in The Return of the Living Dead. In 1998, he received an honorary Saturn Award. This award recognized his important contributions to horror films. He was also nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Best Supporting Actor in 1991. This nomination was for his role in The Unborn.
See also
In Spanish: James Karen para niños
