Academy Award Nominated actor Michael Lerner at the age of 81 on Saturday. Michael Lerner nephew Sam Lerner who starred on “The Goldbergs” announced the news of death in an Instagram post Sunday afternoon.
“We lost a legend last night. 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. 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. RIP Michael, enjoy your unlimited Cuban cigars, comfy chairs, and endless movie marathon.”
Who was Michael Lerner?
Michael Lerner was an American actor who was born on June 22, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York. He had appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout his career.
Lerner was perhaps best known for his role as the corrupt Mayor Ebert in the 1998 film “Godzilla.” He had also appeared in films such as “Barton Fink,” “Elf,” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” On television, he had guest appearances on shows such as “The West Wing,” “Law & Order,” and “The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel.”
Lerner had received critical acclaim for his performances, including a Tony Award nomination for his role in the Broadway play “Angels in America.”
Awards
Michael Lerner has been a prolific actor throughout his career and has been nominated for and won several awards. Here are some of the awards he has been nominated for or won:
- In 1992, Lerner was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special for his performance in the TV movie “In a Child’s Name.”
- In 1993, Lerner won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film “Barton Fink.”
- In 1994, Lerner was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches.”
- In 1998, Lerner was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for his role in “Godzilla.”
These are just a few of the awards that Lerner has been nominated for or won throughout his career.
Career
Michael Lerner began his acting career in the late 1960s, appearing in small roles in television shows and films. His first credited role was in the 1970 film “Alex in Wonderland.”
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Lerner continued to act in film and television, appearing in movies such as “The Candidate” (1972) and “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1981), and TV shows such as “Kojak” and “Hill Street Blues.”
Lerner’s breakthrough role came in the 1991 Coen Brothers film “Barton Fink,” in which he played the role of studio head Jack Lipnicki. His performance earned him critical acclaim and the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Since then, Lerner had continued to act in a variety of film, television, and stage productions, earning further critical acclaim for his roles in films such as “Godzilla” (1998) and “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014), as well as his stage work in plays such as “Angels in America” (1993) and “The Sisters Rosenzweig” (1993).
Some Notable Movie of Michael Lerner
Michael Lerner has appeared in many acclaimed movies throughout his career, but opinions about his best movie may vary depending on individual preferences. However, here are some of his most notable movies that have received critical acclaim:
- “Barton Fink” (1991):In this Coen Brothers film, Lerner played the role of Jack Lipnick, the eccentric and intimidating head of a movie studio. The film won several awards, including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
- “Godzilla” (1998):In this blockbuster monster movie, Lerner played the role of Mayor Ebert, a corrupt and opportunistic politician who is more concerned with his own interests than the safety of the city.
- “Elf” (2003):In this beloved holiday comedy, Lerner played the role of Walter Hobbs, a workaholic publisher who rediscovers the spirit of Christmas thanks to his estranged son and a cheerful elf played by Will Ferrell.
- “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014):In this superhero blockbuster, Lerner played the role of Senator Brickman, a politician who advocates for a government program to control mutants.
These are just a few examples of Michael Lerner’s notable movies.
Lesser-Known facts about Michael Lerner
Here are some lesser-known facts about Michael Lerner:
- Lerner studied at the prestigious Yale School of Drama, where he received his MFA degree in acting.
- In addition to his acting career, Lerner is also a musician and had played in several bands throughout his life.
- Lerner had done extensive voice work, lending his voice to animated TV shows such as “Batman: The Animated Series” and “The Spectacular Spider-Man.”
- Lerner had been involved in politics and activism throughout his life. He was an early supporter of the environmental movement and had been involved in organizations such as Greenpeace.
- Lerner had taught acting at several universities, including UCLA and Cal Arts.
- Lerner was a passionate collector of art and had amassed a large collection of contemporary and modern art over the years.
- Lerner had a deep love of literature and was an avid reader. He had cited authors such as Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and James Joyce as some of his favourites.
These are just a few lesser-known facts about Michael Lerner, showcasing his diverse interests and passions beyond acting.