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]
Jack Somack | |
---|---|
Born | (1918-09-14)September 14, 1918 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Died | August 24, 1983(1983-08-24) (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Chemical engineer, commercial, film, television and theatre actor |
Years active | 1966–1983 |
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]
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]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1968 | A Punt, a Pass, and a Prayer | Trainer | TV Movie |
1969 | Generation | Airline Policeman | |
1970 | London Affair | N.Y. Landlord -Loser!! | |
1971 | The Pursuit of Happiness | Judge Palumbo | |
1971 | Desperate Characters | Leon | |
1972 | Heat of Anger | Mr. Stoller | TV Movie |
1972 | Portnoy's Complaint | Jack Portnoy | |
1975 | Blood Bath | Ralph Lambert | |
1979 | The Main Event | Murry | |
1979 | The Frisco Kid | Samuel Bender | |
1979 | The Little Rascals' Christmas Sepcial | Santa (voice) | TV Movie |
1980 | Hero at Large | Waiter | |
1980 | Carlton Your Doorman | Charles Shaftman (voice) | TV Movie |
1983 | The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair | The Tailor | TV Movie |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | Love Is a Many Splendored Thing | Amos Crump | unknown episodes |
1969 | N.Y.P.D. | Jerry Jameson | 1 episode |
1971 | The Partners | Mr. Kellner | 1 episode |
1972–1976 | All in the Family | Tony Vicino/Tiny Stillberforce | 2 episodes |
1972 | The Jimmy Stewart Show | Coach Wylie | 1 episode |
1975–1980 | Barney Miller | Mr. Cotterman | 6 episodes |
1975 | Sanford and Son | Gabey | 1 episode |
1975–1978 | Kojak | Muttel/Charlie Gerson | 2 episodes |
1976 | The Rockford Files | Oliver Prey | 1 episode |
1976 | The Blue Knight | Mort Kalish | 1 episode |
1976 | Popi | Mr. Goldman | 1 episode |
1976 | Ball Four | 'Cap' Capogrosso | 5 episodes |
1977 | Man from Atlantis | Encyclopedia Salesman | 1 episode |
1977 | The Jeffersons | Papa Panelli | 1 episode |
1978 | Starsky & Hutch | Detective Peterson | 1 episode |
1978 | Eight Is Enough | 1 episode | |
1978 | Laverne & Shirley | Officer Newman | 1 episode |
1979 | Salvage 1 | Burton | 1 episode |
1979 | Stockard Channing in Just Friends | Marty | 1 episode |
1980 | The Stockard Channing Show | Mr. Kramer | 7 episodes |
1980 | The Love Boat | Buzz Plesser | 1 episode |
1982 | Family Ties | Mr. Adler | 1 episode |
1982 | Gloria | Mr. Rosenbloom | 1 episode |