Jack Somack

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Jack Somack
Born(1918-09-14)September 14, 1918
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedAugust 24, 1983(1983-08-24) (aged 64)
Los Angeles, California
OccupationChemical engineer, commercial, film, television and theatre actor
Years active1966–1983

Jack Somack (September 1, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American chemical engineer,[1] commercial, film, television and theatre actor. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer commercial titled "Spicy Meatball".[1][2]

Life and career[]

Somack was born in Chicago, Illinois.[3] He began his career in 1966, playing the lead role of "Eddie Carbone" in Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge.[4][5]

Later in his career, Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer commercial titled "Spicy Meatball" in 1969,[6] playing the role of the "mustachioed spaghetti devotee".[5] He also appeared in two Broadway plays, as his theatre credits includes, Paris Is Out!, playing the role of "Daniel Brand" and The Prisoner of Second Avenue, playing the role of Mel Edison's brother "Harry Edison",[3][7] in which he replaced Vincent Gardenia for the role.[8] He continued his career, mainly appearing in numerous commercials,[1] film and television, over the years.

In 1970s–1980s, Somack appeared and guest-starred in film and television programs, including, Barney Miller,[1] The Rockford Files, Portnoy's Complaint,[9] Sanford and Son, All in the Family, The Love Boat, Desperate Characters, Laverne & Shirley, The Frisco Kid, Eight Is Enough, The Pursuit of Happiness, Starsky & Hutch, Hero at Large, Kojak, The Main Event, The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Blue Knight and Family Ties.[4][10] He also starred in two short-lived television programs titled Ball Four[11] and The Stockard Channing Show.[12]

Death[]

Somack died in August 1983 of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California,[5] at the age of 64.[1][13] As he was rehearsing for a role for the television series Benson.[4][5] Somack last appearance was from the television film The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair.[citation needed]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1968 A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer Trainer TV Movie
1969 Generation Airline Policeman
1970 London Affair N.Y. Landlord -Loser!!
1971 The Pursuit of Happiness Judge Palumbo
1971 Desperate Characters Leon
1972 Heat of Anger Mr. Stoller TV Movie
1972 Portnoy's Complaint Jack Portnoy
1975 Blood Bath Ralph Lambert
1979 The Main Event Murry
1979 The Frisco Kid Samuel Bender
1979 The Little Rascals' Christmas Sepcial Santa (voice) TV Movie
1980 Hero at Large Waiter
1980 Carlton Your Doorman Charles Shaftman (voice) TV Movie
1983 The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair The Tailor TV Movie

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1967 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing Amos Crump unknown episodes
1969 N.Y.P.D. Jerry Jameson 1 episode
1971 The Partners Mr. Kellner 1 episode
1972–1976 All in the Family Tony Vicino/Tiny Stillberforce 2 episodes
1972 The Jimmy Stewart Show Coach Wylie 1 episode
1975–1980 Barney Miller Mr. Cotterman 6 episodes
1975 Sanford and Son Gabey 1 episode
1975–1978 Kojak Muttel/Charlie Gerson 2 episodes
1976 The Rockford Files Oliver Prey 1 episode
1976 The Blue Knight Mort Kalish 1 episode
1976 Popi Mr. Goldman 1 episode
1976 Ball Four 'Cap' Capogrosso 5 episodes
1977 Man from Atlantis Encyclopedia Salesman 1 episode
1977 The Jeffersons Papa Panelli 1 episode
1978 Starsky & Hutch Detective Peterson 1 episode
1978 Eight Is Enough 1 episode
1978 Laverne & Shirley Officer Newman 1 episode
1979 Salvage 1 Burton 1 episode
1979 Stockard Channing in Just Friends Marty 1 episode
1980 The Stockard Channing Show Mr. Kramer 7 episodes
1980 The Love Boat Buzz Plesser 1 episode
1982 Family Ties Mr. Adler 1 episode
1982 Gloria Mr. Rosenbloom 1 episode

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Obituaries". United Press International. August 30, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Timberg, Robert (October 12, 2004). State of Grace: A Memoir of Twilight Time. Simon and Schuster. p. 420. ISBN 0684855615 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Jack Somack". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "No Headline". The New York Times. September 1, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Heart attack claims actor Jack Somack". cdnc.ucr.edu. The Desert Sun. August 30, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021. open access
  6. ^ TV Guide: Volume 47. TV Guide. Triangle Publications. 1999. p. 32 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Starr, Michael (2002). Art Carney: A Biography. Applause Theater & Cinema Books. p. 170. ISBN 9781557835659 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "Jack Sornack for 'Prisoner'". The New York Times. May 8, 1972. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  9. ^ "Road To Success Paved With Meatballs". Radford News Journal. Radford, Virginia. February 28, 1972. p. 5 – via NewspaperArchive. closed access (subscription required)
  10. ^ "Jack Somack". TV Guide. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  11. ^ "The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California – 56". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. September 22, 1976. p. 56 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ TV Guide: Volume 28. TV Guide. Triangle Publications. March 1980. p. 63-69 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Decker, Cathleen (August 30, 1983). "Jack Somack, Star of Alka-Seltzer Ad, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. 14. Retrieved July 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

External links[]

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