Michael Lerner, the Brooklyn-born actor who earned an Oscar nomination for his breakout role in Barton Fink and gave memorable performances in films like Godzilla and Elf, has died at 81.
Actor Sam Lerner, his nephew, shared the news on social media yesterday. “We lost a legend last night,” Sam wrote. “It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me.”
“His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting. He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special. Everyone that knows him knows how insane he was— in the best way.”
Lerner was born June 22, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. During college he fell in love with acting, and received a scholarship to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. While living in London, he was roommates with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and appeared in Ono’s experimental short film Smile.
“She made a movie comprised of bare asses walking on a treadmill,” Lerner said, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “I’m in it and so is Paul McCartney. Plus I’m doing narration about censorship and all that crap.”
Lerner worked steadily through the ’70s and ’80s, appearing in guest roles in TV shows like The Brady Bunch, The Odd Couple and M*A*S*H.
Lerner is best known for his memorable film performances. He had a major role as a crime boss in Eddie Murphy’s 1989 film Harlem Nights. “Eddie Murphy courted me like crazy,” Lerner recalled to AV Club. “They wanted Robert Duvall to play the part. I auditioned for Eddie twice and he said, no, he wants me.”
He had a major breakout role in the 1991 Cohen brothers film Barton Fink, playing movie mogul Jack Lipnick. “I read the script, and you just know good writing. It was brilliantly written, and I just knew it,” he recalled.
His performance was acclaimed and he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Lerner remained a prolific character actor, popping up in memorable roles in successful films. He played “Mayor Ebert” in the 1998 Godzilla; although the character was a send-up of film critic Roger Ebert, Ebert singled out Lerner’s performance in an otherwise negative review.
For many fans today, he’s most recognizable for his performance in the now-classic holiday film Elf, playing the demanding and uncaring boss of James Caan’s character in a climactic scene.
His other films include Eight Men Out, Newsies, Blank Check, Woody Allen’s Celebrity, the Cohen Brothers’ A Serious Man, and the superhero film X-Men: Days of Future Past.
“I’m so lucky I got to spend so much time with him, and we’re all lucky we can continue to watch his work for the rest of time,” Sam Lerner wrote on Instagram. “RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”
Rest in peace, Michael Lerner — a great actor with so many memorable roles. Please share this story in memory of Michael Lerner!
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