RIP: Steve Landesberg (1945-2010)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/arts/television/21landesberg.html?_r=1
Steve Landesberg, an actor and comedian with a friendly and often deadpan manner who appeared on television and in movies, including “Barney Miller,” “The Golden Girls,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” has died. He was 65.
Mr. Landesberg is probably best known for the role of Det. Sgt. Arthur P. Dietrich on the ’70s sitcom “Barney Miller.” The sitcom, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1982, featured Mr. Landesberg playing an intellectual detective with a quiet manner who seemed to have an unrivaled knowledge of practically any topic that arose, much to the bemusement of his fellow detectives. The sitcom, set in a New York City police station, portrayed a group of wisecracking detectives who dealt with the oddball characters who would end up there. With most of the action in the squad room rather than out in the street, some police officers have said that the show often better represented the real life of rank-and-file officers than many detective dramas on television. Mr. Landesberg appeared occasionally during the first few seasons of the show and became a full cast member in the fourth season.
After “Barney Miller” left the air, Mr. Landesberg appeared on several other television shows, including “The Golden Girls,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” “That ‘70s Show” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” In 2008 he played Dr. Rosenbaum in the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Most recently, Mr. Landesberg played Dr. Myron Finkelstein, a Freudian therapist, in “Head Case” a comedy on the Starz cable channel.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/arts/television/21landesberg.html?_r=1
Steve Landesberg, an actor and comedian with a friendly and often deadpan manner who appeared on television and in movies, including “Barney Miller,” “The Golden Girls,” and “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” has died. He was 65.
Mr. Landesberg is probably best known for the role of Det. Sgt. Arthur P. Dietrich on the ’70s sitcom “Barney Miller.” The sitcom, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1982, featured Mr. Landesberg playing an intellectual detective with a quiet manner who seemed to have an unrivaled knowledge of practically any topic that arose, much to the bemusement of his fellow detectives. The sitcom, set in a New York City police station, portrayed a group of wisecracking detectives who dealt with the oddball characters who would end up there. With most of the action in the squad room rather than out in the street, some police officers have said that the show often better represented the real life of rank-and-file officers than many detective dramas on television. Mr. Landesberg appeared occasionally during the first few seasons of the show and became a full cast member in the fourth season.
After “Barney Miller” left the air, Mr. Landesberg appeared on several other television shows, including “The Golden Girls,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” “That ‘70s Show” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” In 2008 he played Dr. Rosenbaum in the movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Most recently, Mr. Landesberg played Dr. Myron Finkelstein, a Freudian therapist, in “Head Case” a comedy on the Starz cable channel.
