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Charles Grodin, who starred in popular films likeThe Heartbreak KidandBeethoven, is dead at the age of 86.
The actor died on Tuesday at his home in Wilton, Connecticut, theNew York Timesreported.
The cause of death was bone marrow cancer, his son Nicholas confirmed to theNYT.
A familiar face onscreen and on the stage, Grodin was known for his versatility and comedic chops, and acted in supporting and lead roles in classic films likeCatch-22, The Heartbreak Kid,Midnight Run,Beethovenand more.
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Bruce McBroom/© Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection
The star made his Broadway debut in 1962’sTchin Tchin, and tried his hand at directing with the 1968 playLovers and Other Strangers.
Grodin’s career saw an uptick in 1988 when he acted opposite Robert De Niro in the hit action comedyMidnight Run.In a statement to PEOPLE, De Niro said, “Chuck was as good a person as he was an actor.Midnight Runwas a great project to work on, and Chuck made it an even better one. He will be missed. I am very very sad to hear of his passing.”
In 1992, Grodin took up the role of crotchety father George Newton in the family favorite filmBeethoven.
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The actor also had a brief stint as a talk show host in the 1990s, and frequently graced late night shows likeThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonandLate Night With David Lettermanwith his witty humor and endearing back-and-forths with the hosts.
Grodin delved into writing during his career, penning numerous plays and books. In 1977, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 1978 for the Paul Simon Special.
Recently, Grodin had a recurring role as Carl Shapiro in ABC’s 2016 miniseriesMadoff, and was seen in his final movieAn Imperfect Murderin 2017.
source: people.com
