Jack Somack (September 1, 1918 – August 24, 1983) was an American chemical engineer,[1] commercial, film, television and theatre actor. He is best remembered for his appearance in the Alka-Seltzer commercial titled "Spicy Meatball".[1][2]

Life and career

Somack was born in Chicago, Illinois.[3] He began his career in 1966, playing the lead role of "Eddie Carbone" in Arthur Miller's A View From the Bridge.[4][5]

Later in his career, Somack appeared in the Alka-Seltzer commercial titled "Spicy Meatball" in 1969, playing the role of the "mustachioed spaghetti devotee".[6][5] He also appeared in two Broadway plays, as his theatre credits includes, Paris Is Out! (as Daniel Brand) and The Prisoner of Second Avenue (as Harry Edison,[3][7] in which he replaced Vincent Gardenia in the role.[8]

In 1970s–1980s, Somack appeared and guest-starred in film and television programs including Barney Miller,[1] The Rockford Files, Portnoy's Complaint,[9] Sanford and Son, All in the Family, The Love Boat, Desperate Characters, Laverne & Shirley, The Frisco Kid, Eight Is Enough, The Pursuit of Happiness, Starsky & Hutch, Hero at Large, Kojak, The Main Event, The Jimmy Stewart Show, The Blue Knight and Family Ties.[4][10] He also starred in two short-lived television programs titled Ball Four[11] and The Stockard Channing Show.[12]

Death

Somack died in August 1983 of a heart attack at the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles,[5] at the age of 64.[1][13] He had been rehearsing for a role for the television series Benson.[4][5]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

• Jack Somack at IMDb
• Jack Somack at the TCM Movie Database
• Jack Somack at AllMovie
• Rotten Tomatoes profile