Phil Bruns facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Phil Bruns
Publicity Photo of Philip Bruns
Born	Philip Bruns (1931-05-02)May 2, 1931 Pipestone, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	February 8, 2012(2012-02-08) (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Alma mater	Augustana College Yale School of Drama
Occupation	Actor, writer
Years active	1959–2012
Spouse(s)	Jill Owens ​ (m. 1969)​ Laurie Franks

Philip Bruns (born May 2, 1931 – died February 8, 2012) was an American actor and writer. He was known for his roles in many TV shows and movies. Philip played George Shumway, the father in the 1970s comedy show Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He also appeared as Morty Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld's father, in an early episode of Seinfeld.

Early Life and Education

Philip Bruns was born on May 2, 1931. He grew up on a farm near Pipestone, Minnesota. He was the youngest of three children. His family had German and Irish roots. Philip enjoyed playing high school football.

He went to Augustana College in South Dakota. There, he earned his Bachelor's Degree. Later, he got his Master's Degree from the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Connecticut. He also studied acting in London, England, at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Acting Career

Philip Bruns acted in many films, TV commercials, and plays. He performed in both Off-Broadway and Broadway shows. He even won an Obie Award for his role as "Mr. Simian" in a play during the 1963-64 season.

He was on The Jackie Gleason Show for three seasons. He also played the father, George Shumway, in the funny 1970s TV series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. You might remember him as Morty Seinfeld in the sitcom Seinfeld. He appeared in the first season episode called "The Stake Out". However, the show's creators wanted the character of Morty to be tougher. So, another actor, Barney Martin, took over the role.

Movies Philip Bruns Appeared In

Philip Bruns acted in many movies. Some of his films include:

• A Thousand Clowns (1965)
• Jenny (1970)
• The Out-of-Towners (1970)
• The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971)
• Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972)
• Harry and Tonto (1974)
• The Great Waldo Pepper (1975)
• Nickelodeon (1976)
• Corvette Summer (1978)
• The Stunt Man (1980)
• My Favorite Year (1982)
• Flashdance (1983)
• Amazon Women on the Moon (1987)
• Return of the Living Dead Part II (1988)
• Dead Men Don't Die (1991)
• The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them (1993)
• Love Bites (1993)
• Pentathlon (1994)
• The Trigger Effect (1996)
• Ed (1996)

He also wrote a book called The Character Actor's Do's, Don't and Anecdotes. It was published in 2008.

TV Shows Philip Bruns Appeared In

Philip Bruns was a guest star in many popular TV dramas and comedies. Some of these shows include:

• Sanford and Son
• The Rat Patrol
• Here's Lucy
• Maude
• The Six Million Dollar Man
• The Secrets of Isis
• The Streets of San Francisco
• The Rookies
• Kojak
• Delvecchio
• The Jeffersons
• Archie Bunker’s Place
• Hill Street Blues
• Simon & Simon
• St. Elsewhere
• Trapper John, M.D.
• Cagney & Lacey
• It's Garry Shandling's Show
• Mr. Belvedere
• Columbo: Exercise in Fatality
• Barney Miller
• Night Court
• Airwolf
• Just Shoot Me!
• M*A*S*H

Personal Life and Passing

Philip Bruns married Jill Owens, who was a dancer on The Jackie Gleason Show, in 1969. Later, he married Laurie Franks, a well-known Broadway star. He was also lifelong friends with the famous actor Peter O'Toole.

Philip Bruns lived in Hollywood with his wife, Laurie Franks, until he passed away. He died peacefully from natural causes in a hospital in Los Angeles on February 8, 2012.

Partial Filmography