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Jack Somack (1918–1983)

Actor

Trivia:

Jack Somack acted in amateur productions for many years and didn't break into professional acting until his fifties. In films, he is probably best known for his portrayal of the father of Alexander Portnoy (Richard Benjamin) in "Portnoy's Complaint." But probably his greatest claim to (rather dubious) fame was appearing in the notorious "spicy meatball" Alka-Seltzer commercial in the 1960s... See more trivia »

Born:

in Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died:

(age 64) in Los Angeles, California, USA
3 videos | 1 news article »

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Related News

DVD Review: "Portnoy's Complaint" (1972) Starring Richard Benjamin And Karen Black
11 September 2012 3:35 PM, PDT | CinemaRetro

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Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel


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Known For


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Filmography

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1983 The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (TV movie)
The Tailor
 
1982 Gloria (TV series)
Mr. Rosenbloom
– Miracle at Fox Ridge (1982) … Mr. Rosenbloom
 
1982 Family Ties (TV series)
Sy Adler
– Death of a Grocer (1982) … Sy Adler
 
1975-1980 Barney Miller (TV series)
Mr. Cotterman
– Homicide: Part 2 (1980) … Mr. Cotterman
– Homicide: Part 1 (1980) … Mr. Cotterman
– Identity (1979) … Mr. Cotterman
– Good-Bye, Mr. Fish: Part 1 (1977) … Mr. Cotterman
– Protection (1975) … Mr. Cotterman
See all 6 episodes »
 
1980 The Love Boat (TV series)
Buss Plesser
– Sergeant Bull/Friends and Lovers/Miss Mother (1980) … Buss Plesser
 
1980 The Stockard Channing Show (TV series)
Mr. Kramer
– Texas Bob and The Consumer Ranch Gang (1980) … Mr. Kramer
– The Threat (1980) … Mr. Kramer
– Life Begins at 30 (1980) … Mr. Kramer
– You Can't Quit Me, I'm Fired (1980) … Mr. Kramer
– A No. 3 with Sprouts to Go, Hold the Ptomaine (1980) … Mr. Kramer
See all 7 episodes »
 
1980 Carlton Your Doorman (TV short)
Charles Shaftman (voice)
 
1980 Hero at Large
Waiter
 
1979 The Little Rascals' Christmas Special (TV movie)
Santa (voice)
 
1979 The Frisco Kid
Samuel Bender
 
1979 The Main Event
Murry
 
1979 Stockard Channing in Just Friends (TV series)
Marty
– The Ziegenfuss Force (1979) … Marty
 
1979 Salvage 1 (TV series)
Burton
– Harry's Doll (1979) … Burton
 
1978 Laverne & Shirley (TV series)
Officer Newman
– It's a Dog's Life (1978) … Officer Newman
 
1978 Eight Is Enough (TV series)
– The Flunked and the Funked (1978)
 
1978 Starsky and Hutch (TV series)
Detective Peterson
– Deckwatch (1978) … Detective Peterson
 
1975-1978 Kojak (TV series)
Charlie Gerson / Muttel
– Chain of Custody (1978) … Charlie Gerson
– The Nicest Guys on the Block (1975) … Muttel
 
1977 The Jeffersons (TV series)
Papa Panelli
– The Jefferson Curve (1977) … Papa Panelli
 
1977 Man from Atlantis (TV series)
– The Mudworm (1977)
 
1976 Ball Four (TV series)
'Cap' Capogrosso
– What's a Nice Watch Like You Doing in a Place Like This? (1976) … 'Cap' Capogrosso
– A Quiet Day at the Iroquois Hotel (1976) … 'Cap' Capogrosso
– High-Flying Rookie (1976) … 'Cap' Capogrosso
– The Unpractical Joke (1976) … 'Cap' Capogrosso
– Work in Progress (1976) … 'Cap' Capogrosso
 
1976 Popi (TV series)
Mr. Goldman
– Summertime, and the Livin' Ain't Easy (1976) … Mr. Goldman
 
1976 The Blue Knight (TV series)
– A Slower Beat (1976)
 
1972-1976 All in the Family (TV series)
Tiny Stilberforce / Tony Vicino
– Archie the Babysitter (1976) … Tiny Stilberforce
– Archie Sees a Mugging (1972) … Tony Vicino
 
1976 The Rockford Files (TV series)
Oliver Prey
– The Hammer of C Block (1976) … Oliver Prey
 
1976 Blood Bath
Ralph Lambert
 
1975 Sanford and Son (TV series)
Gabey
– Steinberg and Son (1975) … Gabey
 
1972 Portnoy's Complaint
Jack Portnoy
 
1972 Heat of Anger (TV movie)
Mr. Stoller
 
1972 The Jimmy Stewart Show (TV series)
Coach Wylie
– The Quarterback Ache (1972) … Coach Wylie
 
1971 The Partners (TV series)
Mr. Kellner
– North Is Now South (1971) … Mr. Kellner
 
1971 I Never Promised You a Long Run (short)
 
1971 Desperate Characters
Leon
 
1971 The Pursuit of Happiness
Judge Palumbo
 
1970 Shut Up... I'm Crying (short)
 
1970 Lola
New York Landlord
 
1969 Generation
 
1969 N.Y.P.D. (TV series)
Jerry Jameson
– Everybody Loved Him (1969) … Jerry Jameson
 
1968 A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer (TV movie)
Trainer
 
1967 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (TV series)
Amos Crump (1967-68)
 

Related Videos

Family Ties: Season 1: Episode 9 -- Alex quits his supermarket job to climb the corporate ladder. Kojak: Season 3: Episode 9 -- A detective unhappily discovers that a former high-school classmate is involved in the fencing of stolen diamonds. The Rockford Files: Season 2: Episode 14 -- Oscar-winning composer-singer Isaac Hayes (Best Song, Theme from "Shaft!' 1971) guest-stars as convict Gandy Fitch who, after serving 20 years for slaying his wife, hires Rockford to find the real assassin.
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Personal Details

Other Works:

TV commercial for Alka Seltzer (1969)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

That's a spicy meat-a-ball See more »

Trivia:

Jack Somack acted in amateur productions for many years and didn't break into professional acting until his fifties. In films, he is probably best known for his portrayal of the father of Alexander Portnoy (Richard Benjamin) in "Portnoy's Complaint." But probably his greatest claim to (rather dubious) fame was appearing in the notorious "spicy meatball" Alka-Seltzer commercial in the 1960s... See more »

Star Sign:

Virgo