Trivia

Studied for two years at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Frequently played doctors, politicians, rabbis, gangsters/mobsters, judges, and has twice played real life Golden Age of Hollywood studio heads, Louis B. Mayer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures. Was most known for playing Jewish characters, but had also been cast as Italian characters quite often.

Had a Master's Degree in English Drama from UCLA.

Began his acting career in the late 1960s at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

Has the distinction of three different connections to the Kennedy dynasty in terms of his portrayals. He has played Jack Ruby in Ruby and Oswald (1978), former press secretary to JFK, Pierre Salinger in The Missiles of October (1974) and Jimmy Hoffa's attorney in Blood Feud (1983).

Was considered for the role of Jack Cates in 48 Hrs. (1982).

Not to be confused with the same-named Berkeley-based rabbi who is the editor of Tikkun magazine.