Jack Somack

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

Jack Somack (September 14, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American chemical engineer,[1] and actor. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" television commercial.[1][2]

Life and career

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

In 1969 Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer "spicy meatball" commercial.[6][5] He also appeared in the Broadway plays Paris Is Out! and The Prisoner of Second Avenue.[3][7][8]

In the 1970s and 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 the short-lived television series Ball Four[11] and The Stockard Channing Show.[12]

Death

Somack died August 24, 1983, of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles,[5] at the age of 64.[1][13] He had been rehearsing for a role in the television series Benson.[4][5]

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 Special 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. ^ a b c d "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 978-0-6848-5561-5. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b "Jack Somack". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Jack Somack Is Dead at 64;Television and Movie Actor". The New York Times. September 1, 1983. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "Heart attack claims actor Jack Somack". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs. August 30, 1983. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  6. ^ TV Guide. Vol. 47. Triangle Publications. 1999. p. 32 – via Google Books. {{cite book}}: |magazine= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Starr, Michael (2002). Art Carney: A Biography. Applause Theater & Cinema Books. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-5578-3565-9 – 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. February 28, 1972. p. 5 – via NewspaperArchive.
  10. ^ "Jack Somack". TV Guide. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  11. ^ "TV Key Previews: Ball Four". The Fresno Bee. September 22, 1976. p. E8 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "TV Guide". TV Guide. Vol. 28. March 1980. pp. 63–69 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Decker, Cathleen (August 30, 1983). "Jack Somack, Star of Alka-Seltzer Ad, Dies". Los Angeles Times. p. 14. Retrieved July 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.