The show business is reeling under the loss of a popular talent.
Harris Yulin, the renowned star of stage and screen whose memorable performances sparkled on the big screen and on the stage, has passed away at the age of 87.
His manager Sue Leibman verified his death, saying the veteran performer died on June 10 in New York City because of cardiac arrest.
To several generations of audiences, however, Yulin was the hot-blooded judge in Ghostbusters II, whose anger was known to trigger a courtroom explosion of supernatural mayhem. Yulin’s extensive career spanned decades, genres, and mediums. Whether it was blockbusters such as Scarface, Clear and Present Danger and Training Day, or a memorable Emmy nominated performance on Frasier in 1996, he made an indelible mark on Hollywood.
And it was not only film and TV, that had to support the burden of his talent.
A theater force, Los Angeles-born Harris Yulin portrayed Hamlet off-Broadway three times and headlined critically praised performances of Hedda Gabler, The Price and The Visit. He also contributed back to the trade, serving eight years as a teacher at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City.
”One of the finest artists’”
Yulin was recently preparing a new TV project, named American Classic, with Laura Linney and Kevin Kline. Michael Hoffman, the director of the show, talked about the legacy of the actor straight to the heart.
Hoffman described him in a statement as “very simply one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered,” CNN reported.
And what he was as an actor, so was he as a man–the grace, the humility, the generosity. Everyone at American Classic is richer having worked with him.”
Stacy Keach, who starred with Yulin in the 1971 western DOC, had been reported as working with him on future projects until his death, a longtime collaborator.
Ozark fans will also recall Yulin for his dominant turn against Jason Bateman and Laura Linney. And his extensive television roles throughout his years featured Veep, Billions, Divorce, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and And Just Like That..
But even after a lengthy career, many will no doubt revert to that memorable scene in Ghostbusters II, when his outrageous courtroom rant sends forth a flood of ghostly mayhem – making him a permanent resident of pop culture history.
Harris Yulin, who dated Faye Dunaway between 1971 and 1972, is survived by his wife, actress Kristen Lowman, a son-in-law, a nephew and godchildren. He is preceded in death by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido.
