Michael Lerner (actor) facts for kids

Michael Charles Lerner (born June 22, 1941 – died April 8, 2023) was an American actor. He was known for playing many different characters in movies and TV shows. He was even nominated for a big award, the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role as Jack Lipnick in the movie Barton Fink (1991). You might also remember him as Mr. Greenway in the popular Christmas movie Elf (2003) or as Mayor Ebert in Godzilla (1998). He also played Mel Horowitz in the TV series Clueless.

Early life

Michael Charles Lerner was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on June 22, 1941. His family had Romanian-Jewish roots. He was one of three sons. His father was an antiques dealer. Michael grew up in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and in Solon, Ohio. His younger brother, Ken, and his nephew, Sam, are also actors.

Career

Michael Lerner started acting very young. When he was 13, he appeared on a TV show as a "quiz kid." Later, while studying at Brooklyn College, he acted in a play called Death of a Salesman. This experience made him want to be an actor instead of an English professor. He also performed in another play, Twelfth Night, which was directed by David Mamet.

After college, he went to the University of California, Berkeley, and then received a special scholarship called a Fulbright Scholarship to study theater in London. While in London, he even lived in an apartment with famous artists Yoko Ono and John Lennon. In 1968, he was in a short experimental film by Yoko Ono called Smile.

When he returned to the U.S. in 1969, Michael moved to Los Angeles. He began appearing in many popular TV shows. These included The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple, M*A*S*H, and The Rockford Files. In 1974, he played Pierre Salinger in a TV movie called The Missiles of October.

Michael Lerner made his first movie appearance in 1970 in Alex in Wonderland. The director, Paul Mazursky, had seen him act and liked his performance. He then took on supporting roles in many Hollywood films. One of his most famous roles was in the 1991 movie Barton Fink, where he played a film producer named Jack Lipnick. For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

From 1996 to 1997, Michael Lerner played Mel Horowitz in the TV series Clueless. He also appeared in the movie The Beautician and the Beast in 1997. Later, he was in the popular Christmas comedy Elf (2003), playing Mr. Greenway. He also had roles in TV shows like Law and Order: Special Victims Unit and Entourage.

In 2010, he performed in a play in London's West End with the singer Madonna. He also played Senator Brickman in the superhero movie X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). In 2013, he appeared in the TV show Glee as Sidney Greene, an investor for a Broadway musical. He appeared in several episodes of Glee as the musical opened on Broadway.

Personal life

Besides acting, Michael Lerner had other interests. He collected rare books and enjoyed Cuban cigars. He also said he was a very good poker player.

Death

Michael Lerner passed away on April 8, 2023, in Burbank, California. He was 81 years old and died from problems related to brain seizures.

Selected film and TV roles

• Barton Fink (1991) as Jack Lipnick
• Amos & Andrew (1993) as Phil Gillman
• No Escape (1994) as The Warden
• Clueless (1996–1997) as Mel Horowitz
• The Beautician and the Beast (1997) as Jerry Miller
• Godzilla (1998) as Mayor Ebert
• Elf (2003) as Mr. Greenway
• X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) as Senator Brickman
• Glee (2013–2014) as Sidney Greene

See also

In Spanish: Michael Lerner para niños