Josip Elic facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josip Elic
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| Born |
Joseph Elich Jr.
March 10, 1921 Butte, Montana, U.S.
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| Died | October 21, 2019 (aged 98) River Edge, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1955–1989 |
Josip Elic (born Joseph Elich Jr.; March 10, 1921 – October 21, 2019) was an American actor. He is best known for playing Bancini in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975).
Contents
Early Life and Acting Start
Josip Elic was born in Butte, Montana. His parents, Martha and Joseph Elich, were immigrants from Croatia. He grew up in a neighborhood called "Cabbage Patch."
When he was 16, he started working in a copper mine in Montana. Later, he joined the U.S. Navy. After his time in the Navy in 1945, Elic moved to New York City. He wanted to become an actor. He used the G.I. Bill to go to acting school.
At 30 years old, he changed his name to Josip Elic. This was to honor his Croatian background. He first worked in show business by building sets for a theater company. Soon, he began acting in plays that were not on Broadway, like Threepenny Opera in 1954.
Acting Career Highlights
Josip Elic started his acting journey in off-Broadway shows. In 1956, he got his first TV role. This was on the NBC show Kraft Television Theatre. He appeared with actors like Rance Howard.
He took on many small roles in TV shows and movies. Elic was also famous for his commercials. He was one of the first actors to be the main person in TV ads. This role was usually for big Hollywood stars. He became more known after appearing on The Twilight Zone twice. One of his famous episodes was "The Obsolete Man".
His biggest role came in 1975. He played Bancini, a confused patient, in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Even though he had few lines, he had a memorable scene. This scene was an improvisation by Jack Nicholson during a basketball game.
By the late 1970s, his film and TV roles became less frequent. His last movie was in 1989. It was the action thriller Black Rain. Even after he stopped appearing on screen, he stayed active in the New York acting world. He often met fans at conventions.
Later Life and Passing
Josip Elic had a fall in his New York apartment. He then moved to an assisted-living home in Paramus, New Jersey.
In October 2019, Josip Elic passed away. He was 98 years old. His death was due to problems from his fall.
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Murder, Inc. | Red Alpert | |
| 1961 | Pocketful of Miracles | Darcey Henchman | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Third of a Man | Uncredited | |
| Convicts 4 | Vic the Barber | ||
| 1964 | Santa Claus Conquers the Martians | Shim | as Joe Elic |
| 1967 | The Producers | Violinist | |
| 1968 | For Love of Ivy | Off Broadway Family | |
| 1969 | Trilogy | HaHa | (segment "A Christmas Memory") |
| 1971 | Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? | Chomsky | |
| 1972 | The Stoolie | 1st Hijacker | |
| Dirty Little Billy | Jawbone | ||
| 1973 | From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler | Workman | |
| 1975 | One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest | Bancini | |
| 1977 | The World's Greatest Lover | Headwaiter | |
| 1979 | The Halloween That Almost Wasn't | Zabaar the Zombie | ABC television special |
| 1989 | Black Rain | Joe the Bartender | (final film role) |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Episode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Kraft Theatre | Pvt. Adams | "Paper Foxhole" | |
| 1959 | The Phil Silvers Show | Bopster | "Bilko's Bopster" | |
| The DuPont Show of the Month | Centipede | "I, Don Quixote" | ||
| 1961 | Peter Gunn | Professor Thurston | "The Deep End" | |
| The Asphalt Jungle | Luther | "The Fighter" | ||
| The Dick Powell Theatre | Gunsel | "Doyle Against the House" | ||
| The Untouchables | Nitti Hood | "Tunnel of Horrors" | Uncredited | |
| The Twilight Zone | Subaltern | "The Obsolete Man" | as Josep Elic | |
| Follow the Sun | Ralph Metz | "The Woman Who Never Was" | ||
| 1962 | The Twilight Zone | Electrician | "One More Pallbearer" | Uncredited |
| Follow the Sun | Herschel | "Run, Clown, Run" | ||
| 1966 | ABC Stage 67 | HaHa | "A Christmas Memory" |
See also
In Spanish: Josip Elic para niños
