Lovable curmudgeon Charles Grodin was known for his deadpan delivery and subtle sexiness. After making his uncredited movie debut in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), the Pittsburgh native paid his dues with guest spots on TV shows (The Big Valley, My Mother the Car, The Virginian). By 1968, he scored a role in Roman Polanski’s horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. Under the direction of Mike Nichols, Charles acted alongside Alan Arkin, Anthony Perkins, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen, and Orson Welles in Catch-22 (1970). Once Grodin landed the lead in Elaine May’s rom-com The Heartbreak Kid (1972), he became a mainstay in movies. In fact, the prolific performer capped off the decade with parts in the Dino De Laurentiis action flick King Kong (1976) and Warren Beatty’s Oscar-nominated comedy Heaven Can Wait (1978). More comedies (The Great Muppet Caper, The Lonely Guy, Midnight Run, Seems Like Old Times) followed in the 1980s. During the 1990s, Charles starred in the family films Beethoven (1992) and Beethoven’s 2nd (1993). He also could be seen alongside Kevin Kline in the political comedy Dave (1993) and Martin Short in the black comedy Clifford (1994). Next came the short-lived television series The Charles Grodin Show (1995-1996). With the new millennium, the award-winning actor appeared in Louis C.K.’s FX sitcom Louie and Noah Baumbach’s movie While We’re Young (2014). Grodin retired from acting in 2017 and died in 2021, but he leaves behind plenty of performances as well as a topless turn in Last Resort (1986) that’s first rate!
