Personal Info
Birth date
1935-04-21 (90 Years)
Day of death
2021-05-18
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Also known as
-Charles Grodin
Biography
Charles Sidney Grodin (April 21, 1935 – May 18, 2021) was an American actor, comedian, author, and television talk show host. Grodin began his acting career in the 1960s appearing in TV serials including The Virginian. After a small part in Rosemary's Baby in 1968, he played the lead in Elaine May's The Heartbreak Kid (1972) and supporting roles in Mike Nichols's Catch-22 (1970), the 1976 remake of King Kong, and Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait (1978). Known for his deadpan delivery and often cast as a put-upon straight man, Grodin became familiar as a supporting actor in many Hollywood comedies of the era, including Real Life (1979), Seems Like Old Times (1980), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), Ishtar (1987), Dave (1993), and Clifford (1994). Grodin co-starred in the action comedy Midnight Run (1988) and in the family film Beethoven (1992). He made frequent appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman. In the mid-1990s, Grodin retired from acting and wrote autobiographies; he became a talk show host on CNBC and in 2000 a political commentator for 60 Minutes II. He returned to acting with a handful of roles in the mid-2010s, including in Louis C.K.'s FX show Louie and Noah Baumbach's film While We're Young (2014). Grodin won several awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 1978 for the Paul Simon Special alongside Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels, Paul Simon, and Lily Tomlin. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for The Heartbreak Kid in 1972. He won Best Actor at the 1988 Valladolid International Film Festival for Midnight Run, and the American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in Dave in 1993. Description above from the Wikipedia article Charles Grodin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Filmography
The Daily Show
6.354
Overview:
The World's Fakest News Team tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and pop culture.The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.4
Overview:
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
7.9
Overview:
In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.LIVE with Kelly and Mark
5.5
Overview:
A morning talk show with A-list celebrity guests, top-notch performances and one-of-a-kind segments that are unrivaled on daytime television, plus spontaneous, hilarious and unpredictable talk.Great Performances
5.3
Overview:
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.The Young Marrieds
3
Overview:
The Young Marrieds is an American daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from October 5, 1964 to March 25, 1966. The program was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Authors John Pascal and Francine Pascal also wrote for the series. It was produced in Hollywood by Selig Seligman through his production company Selmur Productions. Producers included Richard Dunn and Eugene Barr. The serial was directed by Frank Pacelli. Mike Lawrence was the series announcer.Saturday Night Live
7
Overview:
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.The F.B.I.
5.5
Overview:
The F.B.I. is an American television series that was broadcast on ABC from 1965 to 1974. It was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, and the characters almost always drove Ford vehicles in the series. Alcoa was co-sponsor of Season One only.The Big Valley
6.1
Overview:
The Big Valley is an American western television series which ran on ABC from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969. The show stars Barbara Stanwyck, as the widow of a wealthy nineteenth century California rancher. It was created by A.I. Bezzerides and Louis F. Edelman, and produced by Levy-Gardner-Laven for Four Star Television.The Defenders
6.2
Overview:
The Defenders is an American courtroom drama series . It starred E. G. Marshall and Robert Reed as father-and-son defense attorneys who specialized in legally complex cases, with defendants such as neo-Nazis, conscientious objectors, civil rights demonstrators, a schoolteacher fired for being an atheist, an author accused of pornography, and a physician charged in a mercy killing.The Michael J. Fox Show
5.908
Overview:
Look who’s making the news again! One of NY’s most beloved news anchors, Mike Henry (Michael J. Fox), put his career on hold to spend more time with his family and focus on his health after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. But now five years later, with the kids busy growing up and Mike growing restless, it just might be time for him to get back to work. Having never wanted Mike to leave in the first place, his old boss Harris Green jumped at the chance to get him back on TV. The trick, as it’s always been, was to make Mike think it was his idea. After several – okay, many - failed attempts, Mike’s family, anxious to see him out of the house, finally succeeded in getting him to “run into” Green. Now their plan is in motion. He’ll be back to juggling home, family, and career, just like the old days – only better.The Virginian
6.5
Overview:
The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth, the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie. It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.My Mother the Car
4.3
Overview:
The story of the relationship between a man and his mother, the latter having been reincarnated as a 1928 Porter automobile.Felony Squad
6.4
Overview:
Twenty-year veteran Detective Sergeant Sam Stone is paired with rookie Briggs in a large Western metropolis.Laverne & Shirley
7.2
Overview:
Best friends, roommates, and polar opposites, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney work together at the Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee and keep each other's spirits up at home.Judd for the Defense
7.5
Overview:
High-priced Houston lawyer Clinton Judd and his assistant Ben Caldwell take difficult cases throughout the U.S.The Great American Dream Machine
NYR
Overview:
The Great American Dream Machine was a weekly satirical variety television series, produced in New York City by WNET and broadcast on PBS from 1971 to 1973. The program was hosted by humorist and commentator Marshall Efron. The show centered around skits and satirical political commentary. The hour and a half long show usually contained at least seven different current event topics. In the second season, the show was trimmed down to an hour. Other notable cast members included Chevy Chase. Contributors included Albert Brooks and Andy Rooney. Some of the skits would later be revamped for the movie The Groove Tube. There were also occasional short films presented on the show, most of them "experimental" or documentaries about artistic endeavours. Some of these were subtitled.Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories
10
Overview:
Actress Shelley Duvall presents charming animated versions of some of the most beloved children's stories in this superb Emmy-nominated collection featuring 26 tales narrated by famous actors and musicians. The stories by Mercer Mayer, Virginia Lee Burton, Marilyn Sadler and others are voiced by Bette Midler, James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Candice Bergen, Ringo Starr, Michael J. Fox, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Kathy Bates and many more.Fresno
6.4
Overview:
In Fresno, California, the once-wealthy Kensington family's raisin-growing empire has fallen on hard times. They are led by widowed matriarch Charlotte, who is locked in a deadly power struggle with rival raisin magnate Tyler Cane.Madoff
6.375
Overview:
The rise and fall of Bernie Madoff, who's Ponzi scheme bilked $65 billion from unsuspecting victims.Captain Nice
5.667
Overview:
Carter Nash was a chemist in a police department who discovered a liquid which could turn him into Captain Nice, an odd sort of superhero: very shy and dominated by his mother. Captain Nice flew (he feared heights) in his tattered leotards, fighting bad guys because his mother told him to do so.Shane
6
Overview:
Shane works for the Starett family, a young widow, her son, and her aging father-in-law, protecting them against the anti-sodbuster rancher Ryker and other perils plaguing the Old West.Rosemary's Baby
7.827
Overview:
A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.Beethoven
5.819
Overview:
The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog... a St Bernard. Doctor Varnick, the local vet has a secret and horrible sideline, which requires lots of dogs for experiments. Beethoven is on the bad doctor's list.While We're Young
5.987
Overview:
An uptight documentary filmmaker and his wife find their lives loosened up a bit after befriending a free-spirited younger couple.20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
7.039
Overview:
A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.King Kong
6.255
Overview:
An oil company expedition disturbs the peace of a giant ape and brings him back to New York to exploit him.The Woman in Red
6.3
Overview:
When a happily married family man, who would never consider an affair, meets a beautiful woman in red, he is totally infatuated and desperate to make her acquaintance. However, as he tries out various schemes to sneak out to meet her, he realizes that adultery is not quite as easy as it looks.Acting
2025Charles Grodin: Rebel With a Cause as Unknown
2017Waiting for Ishtar as Self
2017An Imperfect Murder as Arthur
2016The Comedian as Dick D'Angelo
2016Madoff (4 Episodes) as Carl Shapiro
2015While We're Young as Leslie Breitbart
2014The Humbling as Jerry
2013The Michael J. Fox Show (1 Episode) as Steve Henry
2013Brazzaville Teen-Ager as Father
2012Char·ac·ter as Self
2012Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen as (archive footage)
2011The Harmony Game as Self
2007Paul Simon and Friends | The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song as Self
2006The Ex as Bob Kowalski
2002The Ultimate Collection starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 70s and 80s as Unknown
1999Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1 Episode) as Brett Forrester
1996The Daily Show (1 Episode) as Self
1994The World of Jim Henson as Nicky Holiday (archive footage)
1994It Runs in the Family as Mr. Parker (The Old Man)
1994Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! as Chaz
1994Clifford as Martin Daniels
1993Beethoven's 2nd as George Newton
1993Heart and Souls as Harrison Winslow
1993So I Married an Axe Murderer as Commandeered Car Driver
1993Dave as Murray Blum
1992Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories (1 Episode) as Narrator (Voice)
1992Beethoven as George Newton
1990Taking Care of Business as Spencer Barnes
1990The Muppets at Walt Disney World as Quentin Fitzwaller
1988LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1 Episode) as Unknown
1988Midnight Run as Jonathan Mardukas aka “The Duke”
1988You Can't Hurry Love as Mr. Glerman
1988The Couch Trip as George Matlin
1987Ishtar as Jim Harrison
1986Fresno (5 Episodes) as Cane Kensington
1986King Kong! The Living Legend as Self
1986Last Resort as George Lollar
1985Movers & Shakers as Herb Derman
1984The Woman in Red as Buddy
1984The Lonely Guy as Warren
1983Charley's Aunt as Lord Fancourt Babberly
1982Night of 100 Stars as Self
1981The Great Muppet Caper as Nicky Holiday
1981The Incredible Shrinking Woman as Vance Kramer
1980Seems Like Old Times as Ira Parks
1980It's My Turn as Homer
1979Sunburn as Jake
1979Real Life as Warren Yeager
1978The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank as Jim Benson
1978Heaven Can Wait as Tony Abbott
1978Just Me and You as Michael Lindsay
1978The Meanest Men in the West as Arnie Doud, Harge Gang
1977It Happened One Christmas as Joseph
1977The Paul Simon Special as Self
1977Thieves as Martin Cramer
1976King Kong as Fred S. Wilson
1976Laverne & Shirley (1 Episode) as Unknown
1975Saturday Night Live (1 Episode) as Self - Host
197411 Harrowhouse as Howard R. Chesser
1972The Heartbreak Kid as Lenny Cantrow
1971Great Performances (1 Episode) as Jake
1971The Great American Dream Machine (34 Episodes) as Himself
1970Catch-22 as Captain Aarfy Aardvark
1969Simon and Garfunkel: Songs of America as Self
1968Rosemary's Baby as Dr. Hill
1967Judd for the Defense (1 Episode) as Unknown
1967The Guns of Will Sonnett (1 Episode) as Bells Pickering
1967Captain Nice (1 Episode) as News Vendor
1966Felony Squad (1 Episode) as Unknown
1966Shane (2 Episodes) as Jed
1965The F.B.I. (1 Episode) as Carl Platt
1965The Big Valley (1 Episode) as Mark Dunigan
1965My Mother the Car (1 Episode) as Unknown
1964The Young Marrieds (2 Episodes) as Matt Crane Stevens
1964Sex and the College Girl as Bob
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (5 Episodes) as Self
1962The Virginian (1 Episode) as Arnie Doud
1961The Defenders (1 Episode) as Thomas Martin
195420,000 Leagues Under the Sea as Drummer Boy (uncredited)
Writing
1985Movers & Shakers ... Writer
1977The Paul Simon Special ... Writer
197411 Harrowhouse ... Adaptation
Directing
1974Paradise ... Director
1973Acts of Love and Other Comedies ... Director
1969Simon and Garfunkel: Songs of America ... Director