Death has come to one of Hollywood’s most prolific quirky character actors and — as with many of his character actor colleagues — you’d know his on-screen face, but you’d never know his name.
Love the cult classic “The Big Lebowski?” You’d remember his performance.
Funeral services were pending Friday for character actor Jon Polito, whose career in more than 100 films included appearances in a series of off-center Coen Brothers films, including the cult classic “The Big Lebowski.”
Polito, who recently had a recurring role on ABC’s “Modern Family,” portraying the business rival of Ed O’Neill’s character, died Thursday in Los Angeles at age 65.
As with many character actors, fans would instantly recall his face without knowing his name.
The website TMZ and Variety reported that Polito was taken off life support Thursday night at City of Hope hospital. Polito, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010, fell into a coma on Sunday, according to TMZ.
A Philadelphia native, Polito made his first television appearance in 1981 in the miniseries “The Gangster Chronicles.” He went on to land film roles in movies including “Highlander,” “Dream Lover,” “Compromising Positions” and the Coen Brothers films “Miller’s Crossing,” “Barton Fink,” “The Hudsucker Proxy” and “The Big Lebowski.”
“Very sad to learn that my dear friend and collaborator, Jon Polito, has passed away,” film director John McNaughton wrote on his Facebook page. “John is probably best known for his work in Coen Brothers films, notably ‘Barton Fink,’ ‘Miller’s Crossing’ and ‘The Big Lebowski.’ Jon and I worked together in TV starting with episodes of ‘Homicide: Life on the Street,’ some pilots and ‘Masters of Horror.’ He appeared in over 100 films, countless TV episodes and on Broadway. Jon a born actor and will be deeply missed by his legion of friends, fans, family and of course his long time partner, Darryl Armbruster, to whom I send my condolences. RIP old pal.”
—City News Service