Michael Pataki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Pataki
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Pataki in 1974
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| Born | January 16, 1938 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | April 15, 2010 (aged 72) North Hollywood, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1958–2010 |
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Michael Pataki (born January 16, 1938 – died April 15, 2010) was an American actor. He worked in plays, movies, and television shows for many years.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Pataki was born in Youngstown, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children. His parents were from Hungary.
He went to the University of Southern California. There, he studied two main subjects: political science (the study of how governments work) and drama (acting). His acting career began in 1966. He performed at a summer theater festival in Edinburgh.
Television Roles
Michael Pataki appeared in many television shows. From 1974 to 1975, he had a main role in the ABC-TV series Get Christie Love!. He played Officer Pete Gallagher. This show was special because it was one of the first detective series with an African American female lead.
Pataki was a guest star on many classic TV shows. These included The Twilight Zone, Combat!, and My Favorite Martian. He also appeared in color shows like All in the Family, Bonanza, and Mission: Impossible.
One of his most famous roles was in Star Trek. He played Korax, a loud Klingon character. He also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This made him one of the few actors to be in both Star Trek series.
He also voiced characters in cartoons. He was the voice of The Cow in Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures. He also voiced George Liquor in The Ren & Stimpy Show. He continued to voice George Liquor in other projects until his death.
Pataki also played Myron "Count" Malachi in an episode of Happy Days. He was known for his line, "Let the pigeons loose."
Film Roles
Michael Pataki acted in many movies. Some of his film credits include Airport '77 (1977), Spider-Man (1977), and Love at First Bite (1979). He also appeared in Rocky IV (1985). In Rocky IV, he played Nicoli Koloff, who was a sports manager for the character Ivan Drago.
He also acted in some horror films. These included Dracula's Dog (1977), where he played a descendant of Count Dracula. Other horror movies he was in were Grave of the Vampire (1972) and Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
Other Projects
Besides acting, Michael Pataki also directed films. He directed the 1977 movie version of Cinderella. He also helped produce a film of the stage musical Pippin.
He was also a talented voice actor. He voiced the Sewer King in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series.
Death
Michael Pataki passed away from cancer on April 15, 2010. He was 72 years old. Before he died, he finished recording his voice for the character George Liquor in a short film called Cans Without Labels. This film was released after his death and was dedicated to his memory.
Selected Filmography
- The Young Lions (1958) as Pvt. Hagstrom (uncredited)
- Ten North Frederick (1958) as Parking Lot Thug (uncredited)
- Easy Rider (1969) as Mime #4
- The Sidehackers (1969) as J.C.
- The Cut-Throats (1969) as German Sniper (uncredited)
- Dream No Evil (1970) as Rev. Paul Jessie Bundy
- The Andromeda Strain (1971) as Operator of 'The Hands' (uncredited)
- The Return of Count Yorga (1971) as Joe
- Brute Corps (1971) as MacFarlane
- The Pink Angels (1972) as Biker
- Grave of the Vampire (1972) as Caleb Croft / Professor Lockwood
- The Dirt Gang (1972) as Snake
- The Black Bunch (1973) as Mr. Heinke
- The Baby (1973) as Dennis
- Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (1973) as State Senator Sills
- Little Cigars (1973) as Garage Mechanic
- Heterosexualis (1973) as Virgil
- Last Foxtrot in Burbank (1973) as Paul
- The Bat People (1974) as Sgt. Ward
- Get Christie Love! (1974-75) as Sgt. Pete Gallagher
- Carnal Madness (1975) as Carl C. Clooney
- Airport '77 (1977) as Wilson
- Spider-Man (1977, TV Movie) as Captain Barbera
- Dracula's Dog (1977) as Michael Drake / Count Igor Dracula
- Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) as Captain Barbera (voice)
- Superdome (1978, TV Movie) as Tony Sicota
- When Every Day Was the Fourth of July (1978, TV Movie) as Robert Najarian
- The Pirate (1978, TV Movie) as General Eshnev
- Love at First Bite (1979) as Mobster
- The Onion Field (1979) as Dist. Atty. Dino Fulgoni
- The Glove (1979) as Harry Iverson
- The Last Word (1979) as Dobbs
- Disaster on the Coastliner (1979, TV Movie) as Tate
- Up Yours (1979) as Virgil / Virgil's Father
- Raise the Titanic (1980) as Munk
- High Noon, Part II: The Return of Will Kane (1980, TV Movie) as Darold
- Graduation Day (1981) as Principal Guglione
- Dead and Buried (1981) as Sam
- Night Shift (1982) as Man (uncredited)
- Sweet Sixteen (1983) as George Martin
- One More Chance (1983) as Sam
- Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) as Jim Wilson
- Rocky IV (1985) as Nicolai Koloff
- American Anthem (1986) as Coach Soranhoff
- The Underachievers (1987) as Murphy
- Death House (1987) as Franco Moretti
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) as Dr. Hoffman
- Hollywood Hot Tubs 2: Educating Crystal (1990) as Professor Drewton
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992) as the Sewer King in the 6th episode entitled: 'The Underdwellers' (voice only role)
- The Looking Glass (2003) as Frank
- Edge of Nowhere (2003) as Sheriff
- Trim (2010) as Dimitri
- Cans Without Labels (2019) as George Liquor (posthumous release)
