James Karen
| James Karen | |
|---|---|
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|
| Born |
Jacob Karnofsky November 28, 1923 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Other names | Mr. Pathmark Tinch |
| Alma mater | Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1948–2012 |
| Spouse(s) |
Susan Reed (1958-1967; divorced; 1 child) Alba Francesca (1986-present) |
James Karen (born Jacob Karnofsky; November 28, 1923) is an American character actor of Broadway, film and television. Karen is best remembered for his roles in Poltergeist, The Return of the Living Dead, Invaders from Mars, and in The Pursuit of Happyness.
Karen is also known for his recurring television role as Tom Bradford's boss, Eliot Randolph in Eight is Enough. He also appeared in commercials for Pathmark which earned his nickname "Mr. Pathmark". He was nominated for a Saturn Award for his 1985 role in The Return of the Living Dead.
Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae (née Freed) and Joseph H. Karnofsky, a produce dealer.
As a young man, Karen was encouraged to be an actor by U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood, who was an amateur thespian himself, recruiting him into a production at the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre. He attended the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York.
The first movie Karen has recalled seeing was the Buster Keaton film Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928). He was later a very good friend of Keaton. His big break came when he was asked to understudy Karl Malden in the original Broadway production of A Streetcar Named Desire.
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