American actor Charles Grodin has died at the age of 86.
The versatile comedic actor most popular for his roles in movies like Midnight Run and The Heartbreak Kid; died on Tuesday, May 18, at his home in Connecticut, after battling cancer, according to his son.
Grodin’s son, Nicholas, confirmed news of his father’s passing in an email to CNN.
Grodin had a number of stage credits before getting a role in director Mike Nichols’ Catch-22 in 1970 (after unsuccessfully auditioning for The Graduate). Then he landed his big break by starring in Heartbreak Kid; as a newlywed who falls in love with another woman, played by Cybill Shepherd, on his honeymoon.
Grodin worked steadily thereafter, co-starring opposite Warren Beatty in Heaven Can Wait. He also portrayed an on-the-run accountant with Robert De Niro in Midnight Run.
“Chuck was as good a person as he was an actor,” De Niro said in a statement issued through his publicist. “Midnight Run was a great project to work on, and Chuck made it an even better one. He will be missed. I am very very sad to hear of his passing.”
Born in Pittsburgh, Grodin studied acting at the University of Miami before moving to New York and studying under the famed acting coach Lee Strasberg. Grodin’s eclectic career included writing a column for the New York Daily News and providing commentaries for the newsmagazine 60 Minutes II.
Charles Grodin is survived by his wife, author Elissa Durwood Grodin, their son Nicholas, and his daughter Marion.