Jack Axelrod, Veteran Actor of Stage and Screen, Passes Away at 93
Renowned actor Jack Axelrod, recognized for his roles in iconic TV shows such as ‘General Hospital,’ ‘My Name Is Earl,’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ as well as appearances on Broadway and in notable films, died at the age of 93 on November 28 in Los Angeles. The cause of death was announced as natural causes by his representative, Jennifer Garland.
Axelrod’s career spanned decades, showcasing his talent on both stage and screen. His early onscreen role in Woody Allen’s ‘Bananas’ (1971) marked the beginning of a prolific film career, with credits including ‘Hancock’ (2008), ‘Winged Creatures’ (2008), ‘Little Fockers’ (2010), ‘Super 8’ (2011), ‘J. Edgar’ (2011), and ‘The Lone Ranger’ (2013).
On the small screen, Axelrod left a lasting impression as mobster Victor Jerome on the ABC soap ‘General Hospital’ from 1987 to 1989. He also portrayed the “Electrolarynx Guy” on NBC’s ‘My Name Is Earl’ from 2005 to 2008 and made a memorable appearance on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ in 2006-07 as patient Charlie Yost.
Axelrod’s acting career continued robustly until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 90. Born on January 25, 1930, in Los Angeles, he served as a corporal in the U.S. Army before pursuing a career in architecture, becoming a licensed architect in Washington state. However, his passion for acting led him to study under Uta Hagen at HB Studios in New York.
Axelrod’s theatrical journey included off-Broadway productions of ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Gandhi.’ Despite challenges, his dedication to the craft remained unwavering. He graced numerous television series, including ‘Kojak,’ ‘Hill Street Blues,’ ‘Dallas,’ ‘Dynasty,’ ‘Night Court,’ ‘Knots Landing,’ ‘Murphy Brown,’ ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ ‘Star Trek: Voyager,’ ‘Frasier,’ ‘Scrubs,’ ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ ‘Shameless,’ ‘The Office,’ ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ ‘Ray Donovan,’ ‘Baskets,’ and ‘Modern Family.’
Jack Axelrod, Actor on ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘My Name Is Earl,’ Dies at 93 https://t.co/qc8IaBekci
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) December 16, 2023
In addition to his on-screen contributions, Axelrod served as a theater faculty member at various institutions, including the University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, Boston University, Penn State, Temple University, Cal State Northridge, CalArts, and Brandeis University. He also worked as a guest instructor at the Aaron Speiser Acting Studio in Los Angeles.
Jack Axelrod leaves behind a legacy of diverse and memorable performances, earning the respect and admiration of both colleagues and audiences alike.