Louis Zorich

Louis Zorich (February 12, 1924 – January 30, 2018) was an American actor.

He is perhaps best known to television audiences for his portrayal of Paul Buchman's father, Burt Buchman, on the NBC series Mad About You. He played the role from 1993 to 1999.

Early years

Zorich was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Croatian immigrants Anna (née Gledic) and Christ Zoric. He attended Earle Elementary School before going on to attend Roosevelt University and Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now at DePaul University) in his hometown of Chicago. Louis' nephew, Chris Zorich, played professional football.

Zorich served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Career

In 1965, Zorich recorded and released an album on Folkways Records, entitled Moby Dick: Selections Read by Louis Zorich.

One of Zorich's first major film roles was the Russian Constable in Fiddler on the Roof (1971). He was featured in Popi and For Pete's Sake and played Pete in The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984). In Death of a Salesman (1985), he played Ben, the older brother of Willy Loman. In 1986 he played a Swiss businessman in Club Paradise with Robin Williams, and in 1988 appeared as Nikos, the Greek millionaire, part of a group arriving in a yacht party, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin and Michael Caine.

On television, Zorich co-starred in the critically acclaimed comedy Brooklyn Bridge playing family patriarch Jules Berger.

Zorich's Broadway credits include Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2003), 45 Seconds From Broadway (2001), Follies (2001), She Loves Me (1993), The Marriage of Figaro (1985), Arms and the Man (1985), Death of a Salesman (1984), Herzl (1976), They Knew What They Wanted (1976), Goodtime Charley (1975), Moonchildren (1972), Fun City (1972), Hadrian VII (1969), The Condemned of Altona (1966), The Country Wife (1965), Danton's Death (1965), The Odd Couple (1965), Moby Dick (1962), and Becket (1961).

Zorich was on the faculty of HB Studio in New York City. He also edited the anthology What Have You Done: The Inside Stories of Auditioning from the Ridiculous to the Sublime.

In 1973, Zorich and his wife founded the Whole Theatre Company in Montclair, New Jersey — that state's first resident professional theater. They operated the theater for 18 years.

Personal life

Zorich was married to Academy Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis from 1962 until his death. They had three children together.

Death

Zorich died at his Manhattan apartment at the age of 93 on January 30, 2018.

Recognition

In 1969, Zorich was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in Hadrian VII. In 1976, he was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for his performance in They Knew What They Wanted.